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March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

The Virginia Lottery encourages you to Play Responsibly

For most people, gambling is good fun, but, for some, it can create serious problems. The Virginia Lottery wants to ensure that its games remain good fun for a great cause for all players. We’re committed to helping raise awareness in Virginia about the resources available to anyone who thinks they or a loved one may have a gambling problem.

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. In recognition of the month, the Virginia Lottery is doing many things including releasing a new public service announcement (PSA), produced in partnership with the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG), that encourages responsible play.

The PSA promotes the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline, which assists people who think they or a loved one may have a gambling problem. The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-888- 532-3500, 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.

The Lottery’s dedication to problem gambling awareness doesn’t stop in March. The Lottery is one of the first state lotteries participating in a pilot responsible gambling verification program designed by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries.

"The partnership between the Lottery and the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling is a natural one rooted in both of our efforts to minimize risks associated with gambling," said VACPG President Carolyn Hawley, Ph.D. "The month of March is especially important towards this aim as it is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, which is a national campaign to create awareness about problem gambling and resources available for help."

To learn more about the Lottery’s efforts to support problem gambling awareness in Virginia, please visit the Play Responsibly page.


Last updated 3/10/20