Sports Betting Fuels Gambling Helpline Calls in North Carolina
North Carolina's gambling helpline has reported a marked increase in activity since the expansion of legal sports betting last year. It's a cause-and-effect situation that analysts always expect to see.
According to state officials, more than 2,800 calls were made to the helpline in the first half of 2025, representing a 65% rise compared to the same period in 2024. The spike followed the launch of mobile North Carolina sports betting in March, which has significantly broadened access to wagering in the state.
Statistics from North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services indicated that callers' primary areas of concern were losses from sports wagering, build-up of debt, and concern about gambling activity. Approximately 42% of calls originated from individuals under the age of 35.
Officials also noted a rise in calls from family members seeking support for loved ones.
The state has allocated new funding to gambling addiction services as part of its expansion of legalized betting. Nearly $2 million in annual revenue from North Carolina sports betting app taxes is directed toward responsible gambling programs, including treatment and prevention initiatives.
Public health representatives emphasize that while sports betting has generated tax revenue and economic activity, the increased demand for helpline services underscores the social risks linked to expanded access.
The 24-hour helpline provides referrals to counselors and therapy centers. Outreach activities have also been launched to create awareness about support resources offered as attendance in bets continues to increase across North Carolina.
New Jersey Judge Orders Return of 1-800-GAMBLER Hotline
The issue of gambling support services has also been questioned in New Jersey, where a court recently ordered the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to return the operation of the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ).
The ruling ended a months-long dispute over how that state's primary hotline for compulsive gamblers would be managed.
The controversy began in 2022 when NCPG acquired the rights to the trademark of the number and increased its use across the US. The CCGNJ protested by stating that this expansion had broken support networks and caused confusion among persons expecting local support.
The court concurred, ruling that NCPG had to relinquish the hotline and related branding to the council, which was located in New Jersey.
This was seen as a victory for state-level agencies whose role is to administer support and treatment directly. Reestablishing the hotline would streamline service coordination by local providers and ensure that callers are offered region-relevant assistance, CCGNJ said.
The ruling also had wider consequences for how gambling support services are managed across the US. With additional states rolling out sports betting and online gaming, demand for helpline services continues to rise exponentially.
