March Marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the United States

Posted on: March 3, 2025, 12:10h. 

Last updated on: March 3, 2025, 10:08h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
  • Problem gambling is rising, experts say
  • The National Council on Problem Gambling is seeking a new leader

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an annual observance from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in Washington, DC.

March Problem Gambling Awareness NCPG
A man reacts to losing while gambling on his computer. March is the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month. (Image: Shutterstock)

The NCPG is the nation’s only national nonprofit dedicated to minimizing the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. The organization is neutral on legalized gambling in that it doesn’t lobby for or against its legalization.

March is among the busiest times of the year when it comes to sports betting, as college basketball’s March Madness tournaments attracted almost $3 billion in legal wagers last year. With sports gambling front and center, the NCPG has observed its Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March since 2002.

The theme for the 2025 observation is “Seeking Understanding.” The many events throughout the month aim to increase awareness of problem gambling as a serious yet often misunderstood mental health condition. The goal is to improve public understanding, remove barriers to care, and encourage open conversations about the impact problem gambling has on individuals, families, and communities.

Keith Whyte, the NCPG’s longtime executive director, resigned in January. Nancy Green has since been serving as interim director while a national search for Whyte’s permanent successor continues.

Problem Gambling Escalating 

Gambling is more widespread than ever before, with casinos in all but a handful of states and sports betting legal in 39 states and Washington, DC. While state governments are collecting more tax proceeds from gambling than ever before, the societal harms of increased gambling, responsible gaming advocates say, are on the rise.

The NCPG estimates that 2.5 million adults in the US suffer from a severe gambling problem, and five to eight million additional adults face a mild to moderate gambling problem. Estimating such rates is difficult, as many who meet such criteria often hide their struggles.

Problem gambling is often described as a ‘hidden addiction,’ and with an estimated nine million Americans affected, the need for awareness and support has never been greater,” said Cait Huble, the NCPG’s communications director. “By fostering a deeper understanding of the issue, we can encourage empathy, reduce barriers to treatment, and provide support to those affected by gambling-related harm.”

Eight states have proclamations designating March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Problem Gambling Awareness Goals 

A major focus of the NCPG’s 2025 Problem Gambling Awareness Month is to encourage healthcare providers to screen for gambling addictions. Developed in partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance’s Division on Addiction and Harvard Medical Hospital, the NCPG has made available a short, three-question questionnaire that medical providers can include in their general health screening.

The three questions are:

  1. During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling?
  2. During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
  3. During the past 12 months did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends, or welfare?

The NCPG says a “yes” answer to any of the questions “means the person is at risk for developing a gambling problem.”