As the NCAA Basketball Tournament draws close, and Problem Gambling Awareness Month starts, the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network (OGTN) has actually revealed that it is preparing to help gamers who may have a hard time with problem betting.

According to Derek Longemeier, Executive Director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, the data of problem gaming in the Buckeye State are such that a person in five grownups are thought about at risk. This is around 20 percent of Ohio's population or 1.8 million individuals.

"March Madness can be a perfect storm for those who do not set limits and stick to them. There are multiple games and live betting choices offered on numerous betting sites all occurring at the same time. It's simple for enjoyable to spiral into crisis," Longemeier said.

"Those who think they have a problem are beginning to request help quicker. If you or a loved one are experiencing gambling-related harm, assistance is just a telephone call away. It's never ever too quickly to connect," he included.

Ohio's gambling hotline enables gamers to seek group treatment, individual therapy, self-help groups, or monetary management assistance as and when they need it.

The Start of Problem Gambling Awareness Month

In addition to the OGTN's announcement, March 1 kick-started Problem Gambling Awareness Month throughout the United States. Recently, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) revealed this year's theme of "Seeking Understanding," specifying that the objective is to "increase awareness of issue gambling as a major yet often misinterpreted mental health condition."

MGM Resorts and its online sportsbook BetMGM have currently announced their campaign for the month. The business revealed it would expand on its issue betting collaborations in March, including previous collaborations with the Kindbridge Research Institute, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and the University of Nevada.

The OGTN is ready to assist during March Madness

To those who follow the NCAA Basketball Tournament, March is also called March Madness. It is scheduled to start with Selection Sunday on March 16 and run through until the NCAA championship game on April 7 in San Antonio, Texas.

Bets on the tournament are prepared for to reach $3 billion throughout the United States, and the American Gaming Association (AGA) anticipates the worth of legal wagering to get twice the value of the legal bets positioned during the Super Bowl. The AGA likewise announced that in 2024, Americans bet $150 billion on legal sportsbooks.

The OGTN is taking this chance to highlight problem betting on a state level.

Longemeier commented, "March Madness can be an ideal storm for those who do not set limitations and stick to them. There are numerous video games and live wagering alternatives available on several betting websites all taking place at the same time.