Chad Davis / CC
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO Prairie Public Broadcasting) – Super Bowl weekend is over but gamblers may be paying their debts.
Lisa Vig, Gambling Disorder Clinical Lead for North Dakota Health and Human Services, said sports betting addiction is becoming a bigger problem for younger people around ages 22 to 30 in the state.
“For many people gambling is social, it’s recreational, it enhances an evening out with friends or family members, particularly if people are interested in sports. I think that’s kind of where some of the intrigue comes with sports betting.”
Vig is seeing more young sports betters coming to her with gambling addiction. Vig said there are opportunities for gambling wherever you go, but now gambling is also accessible to people from their phones.
“Mobile sports betting, playing social casino type games on your phone, slot machines, poker, blackjack, all of those things can be found on our phone and, again, it’s the accessibility. It’s there for you in the middle of the night, it’s there for you first thing when you wake up, it’s there for you when you’re at an event waiting for something to happen. It’s just that accessibility is a huge concern when it becomes so available to everyone that it’s easy to begin participating,” Vig said.
Vig said the agency offers a range of services for gambling issues, including an online recovery course, counseling for groups, individuals, couples, and families, and online resources and education groups.
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