In 2017, Pennsylvania took steps to expand their commercial gambling activities to include internet casinos, interactive slots, table games, and sports betting. This move came after the US Supreme Court declared a federal prohibition on such gambling to be unconstitutional.
The 2022 Online Gambling Report, which was conducted with the help of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Penn State University, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, revealed that more than a third of all online gamblers in the state had experienced at least one gambling problem over the past year. With this data in hand, state officials are now looking to reinforce safeguards to reduce the potential harms of internet casinos.
This annual assessment is mandated by the 2017 law, and the findings have raised some concern among regulators. Examples of gambling problems include wagering more money or playing for longer than planned, depleting one’s betting account, or missing out on social events due to gambling.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Acting Secretary, Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, stated that the report will be beneficial in understanding and addressing the issue of problem gambling. She also noted that treatment and resources are available to those struggling with compulsive betting.
The Keystone State is home to 17 land-based casinos, and that number is expected to grow. Meanwhile, the iGaming market is expanding rapidly as well, with online gamblers in the state losing more than $1.36 billion in 2021.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania’s hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) has been a useful resource for those struggling with betting addiction. The number of calls received by the agency increased from 1,140 in 2019 to over 2,600 in 2020.
In 2017, Pennsylvania enacted a series of measures that allowed for the expansion of commercial gambling to include digital casinos, interactive slots, table games, and sports betting. This came after the US Supreme Court ruled that a federal prohibition on such activities was unconstitutional.
The 2022 Online Gambling Report, which was compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Penn State University, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, showed that more than a third of all online gamblers in the state had experienced at least one gambling-related issue in the last year. With this data in hand, state authorities have taken steps to implement safeguards to reduce the potential harms of internet casinos.
The annual assessment is mandated by the 2017 law, and the results have raised serious concern among regulators. Problematic gambling behaviors include exceeding the planned budget or playing time, depleting one’s betting account, or missing out on social events due to gambling.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Acting Secretary, Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, commented that the report will be beneficial in understanding and addressing the issue of problem gambling. She also noted that treatment and resources are available to those struggling with compulsive betting.
The Keystone State currently houses 17 brick-and-mortar casinos, and that number is set to increase. Additionally, the iGaming market is growing rapidly, with online gamblers in the state losing more than $1.36 billion in 2021.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania’s hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) has been a useful resource for those suffering from betting addiction. The number of calls received by the agency increased from 1,140 in 2019 to over 2,600 in 2020.
