National Public Radio, or NPR, stated in a Saturday article that assistance for individuals who develop a gambling addiction related to sports is scarce and hard to find. 

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

Is that really the case? Every state that permits sports betting mandates that sportsbook operators incorporate responsible gaming messages and advocate for help resources. 

Riddle and several mental health specialists claim it falls short. They think federal financial support is essential to properly help 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 for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), concurs. 

“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 significant backlash from Republicans following NPR President Katherine Maher's acknowledgment 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 Republican-led Congress is considering whether to reduce or eliminate government support for NPR and PBS. In a heated hearing this week with the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Maher stated that NPR delivers essential, impartial news to countless Americans. 

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

A lot of Republicans believe that is not the case. 

Regarding gaming, NPR’s report on Saturday seemingly criticizes the industry for being “a business model rooted in addiction.” 

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

Sector Defense 

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

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

The public service initiative urges gamblers to establish a budget, enjoy a social and entertaining experience, comprehend the odds, and wager only through licensed sportsbooks. 

For individuals who struggle to adhere to their strategy, the AGA recommends the National Problem Gambling Helpline as a helpful resource for obtaining assistance. The 1-800-GAMBLER hotline instantly connects a caller to their local resource agency, where counselors are accessible around the clock, every day of the year.