March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

This month and every month, the Virginia Lottery is committed to bringing awareness to the issue of problem gambling, which can be a hidden but costly addiction. Luckily, there are resources to help those who may have a gambling addiction or those who may suspect a family member/loved one has a gambling addiction.

Virginia’s Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) allows players to opt out of certain state-regulated gambling activities for a set period or for life. This program, which is operated by the Lottery, includes account-based lottery games, mobile sports betting, any form of casino gaming, horse racing and historical horse race wagering, as well as gaming activities sponsored by charitable organizations.

The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline (1.888.532.3500) also is available as a resource. It is toll-free and confidential. All Virginia Lottery tickets and most printed advertising materials contain the number. Materials containing problem gambling resources also are available in Spanish.

Here are more great resources:

• Virginia Council on Problem Gambling
• The National Council on Problem Gambling
• Annual Problem Gambling Awareness Month
• Gamblers Anonymous

With an estimated 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) meeting the criteria for pathological gambling and another 4 million to 8 million (2%-3% of the population) meeting the criteria for problem gambling, gambling issues could be affecting someone you know. Help is available. You can learn more by visiting the Lottery’s Play Responsibly page.

_{Last updated 3/4/2022}