National Public Radio, commonly known as NPR, stated in a report on Saturday that assistance for individuals who develop a gambling addiction is scarce. 

In an article released on Saturday, Katia Riddle, an NPR reporter who focuses on mental health issues for the public broadcasting network based in Washington, DC, stated that “March Madness is a time for wagering, yet assistance for gambling problems is difficult to locate.” 

Is that really the case? Each state that permits sports betting mandates that sportsbook operators incorporate responsible gaming messages and endorse assistance resources. 

Riddle and various mental health professionals believe it isn't sufficient. They think federal funding is essential to properly support problematic sports gamblers.

"National advocates warn treatment is underfunded, especially compared to the billions of dollars of investment that the federal government puts into resources for addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and other substances,” wrote Riddle.

Cait Huble, a representative of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), is in agreement. 

“There’s no federal funding for gambling addiction. It is several decades behind it in terms of public opinion and recognition of it as a mental health condition,” Huble said.

NPR Analysis 

NPR is encountering a surge of criticism from Republicans after NPR President Katherine Maher acknowledged that the news outlet has erred in its coverage previously. Maher admitted that the network was incorrect to label the Hunter Biden laptop issue as a “non-story.” 

The Congress under GOP control is considering whether to reduce or eliminate government funding for NPR and PBS. In a heated hearing this week with the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Maher asserted that NPR delivers essential, impartial news to millions of Americans. 

“I do not believe we are politically biased,” Maher stated. “We are a non-biased organization.”

A lot of Republicans believe that this is not the case. 

Regarding gaming, NPR’s Saturday report appears to criticize the industry for having “a business model based on addiction.” 

“There’s no revenue without the addicted gambler,” declared Les Bernal of the advocacy group, Stop Predatory Gambling.

Sector Protection 

The American Gaming Association reports that the legalized, regulated commercial and tribal gaming sectors provide approximately $130 million annually for “services, prevention, and treatment of problem gambling.” Approximately $100 million in casino gaming taxes is allocated each year for services related to problem gambling. 

The AGA is also working on improving its responsible sports betting initiative, “Have A Game Plan.” Initiated in 2019, following the U.S. Supreme Court's repeal of the federal prohibition on sports betting, the initiative “brings together leagues, teams, media, sportsbooks, and other key industry participants to provide accessible sports betting education for fans.” 

The public service initiative urges gamblers to establish a budget, make it social and enjoyable, comprehend the odds, and exclusively use legal sportsbooks. 

The AGA recommends the National Problem Gambling Helpline as a solid starting point for anyone who struggles to follow their game plan and is looking for assistance. The 1-800-GAMBLER hotline automatically connects callers to their state resource agency, where counselors are accessible 24/7, every day of the year.