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It’s March and basketball “madness” abounds! It’s known that more and more states are discussing and passing sports legislation. The American Gambling Association AGA, estimated that over 50 million Americans will bet over 10 billion combined on March Madness 2023 – with an increasingly larger share going towards legal US online sports books and casinos.

The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (the Center) is committed to increasing the capacity of mental health/behavioral health care treatment and prevention programs to address gambling, problem gambling and gambling disorder through enhanced screening, assessment, awareness, intervention, recovery and health promotion strategies, and to make the impact of gambling behaviors on recovery, health and well-being a relevant topic of conversation within communities and organizations.

Each March, the Center actively promotes Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign established by the National Council on Problem Gambling to educate the general public and healthcare professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help and resources available.

Sunday, February 12th, 2023, is football’s Biggest Game, one of the most celebrated sporting events of the year. Along with the big game, the divisional and conference playoffs are among the most popular sporting events for placing bets. Given the roll out of legalized mobile sports betting, it is expected that wagers on the Big Game this year will once again surpass records set from the previous year, with as many as 45 million additional Americans placing legal wagers from their mobile devices. The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that a record 31.4 million people in the US could wager as much as $7.61 billion dollars on this year’s Big Game. This number would be a 35 percent increase from last year.

Many view gifting lottery tickets as harmless fun for any age that adds a touch of excitement in the anticipation of possibly wining money. However, research shows that children who gamble – including the use of lottery scratch off tickets – are four times more likely to become problem gamblers.

For most, gambling can be a fun, leisure activity. But for some, gambling can get out of control; it can become problematic and addictive. It can become harmful.

There is a connection between problem gambling and suicide. Individuals struggling with problem gambling or gambling disorder can feel distress and a sense of helplessness when dealing with the effects of their gambling behavior. They can feel alone. And their distress isn’t obvious.

Each September, we focus our awareness efforts toward helping to disseminate information about the resources available that enable those with a substance use problem or other addictive behaviors including problem gambling and disordered gambling, to live healthy and rewarding lives. Recovery from addiction is possible and it does not need to be a solo journey. Please join us in celebrating national recovery months it’s for everyone. Let us help you start your journey on the road to problem gambling recovery.

Also known as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month. This July, the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (the Center) invites you to join us in promoting health equity issues of minorities with problem gambling prevention. Maryland data shows minority populations are at a greater risk of problem gambling behaviors. Help us raise awareness of this health disparity and work to create equity in awareness, education, prevention, treatment, and recovery for all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with a gambling problem or a disorder.

This May during National Mental Health Month, take a mental health break to recognize an opportunity to share the importance of care in our relationships to other and to ourselves. Sustaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle to achieve “wellness” in our daily lives is important, but it can also be a challenge, especially if dealing with addictive behavior.

Start today and acknowledge that stress happens. By implementing self-care tools, you and your family can minimize stress and enjoy a healthier, happier life.

Families, in any formation, are the core of our communities. It is through awareness, collaboration and support that we keep families and the communities they live in strong, healthy and vibrant. Problematic and addictive behavior in adults can threaten the very foundation of a healthy and safe environment – and often, children are the easiest target for release of anger and frustration.