Keep Gambling Fun and Safe on Super Bowl Sunday

KYCPG Executive Director Mike Stone

Keep Gambling Fun and Safe on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, is the single largest gambling day of the year. The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) urges everyone who places bets on the game in any way to be safe and keep gambling as entertainment only. To paraphrase a slogan, please bet with your head, not over it.

KYCPG points out that most of those who gamble have no adverse consequences; however, statistics indicate about 1 percent of the population (estimated by survey in Kentucky to be more than 60,000 individuals) are disordered gamblers as defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Another 3 percent are identified as problematic gamblers.

Since sports gambling was legalized in Kentucky, the calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) helpline have more than doubled per month. Calls, texts and chats from those who are referred to a counselor, Gamblers' Anonymous or sent information on the disorder have increased about 65 percent per month. KYCPG hopes individuals can keep gambling as fun and entertainment, but there is help available if gambling causes problems or is more than just a game.

Disordered gambling is when an individual continues to gamble in spite of recurring negative consequences. Disordered gambling impacts family, employment and personal relationships. Based on averages of academic estimates, each disordered gambler costs society $9,000 in areas such as social service costs, crime and criminal justice expense, lost productivity, bankruptcy, and suicide. With 60,000 disordered gamblers in Kentucky, the social cost is more than a half million dollars each year..

KYCPG is not anti-gambling. Gambling is a personal decision, and it has been legalized in some form in 48 states. KYCPG does urge individuals to gamble responsibly. According to the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, individuals can practice responsible gambling if they:

Gambling and Super Bowl

First Add

    • Plan Ahead -- Before the gamer begins, set your limits.
    • Keep to the Limit -- Monitor your spending, particularly if using an electronic device to place bets.
    • Know What Can Afford to be Lost -- Do not chase losses.
    • Don't Increase Wagering -- That will not make the game more fun.
    • Team Up -- Partner with a friend to help each other stick with your plan.
    • Take a Break -- If gambling is no longer fun, stop.

If you or someone you know believes there is a gambling problem, please call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) at any time on any day. A trained telephone counselor located in Owensboro, Ky., will respond. Individuals also can visit. www.kygamblinghelp.org to learn more about disordered gambling and conduct a self-assessment to discern whether further help is needed to deal with a gambling issue. From the website, individuals can access a chat room at the helpline as another option for assistance.

A three-question self-test is an effective screen for problem gambling. Developed by the Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addictions, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School, if you answer "yes" to any of the following three questions, there is a possibility of a gambling problem.

  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?

Gambling can be addictive. When gambling becomes more than a game, there is help. If you recognize or realize a gambling problem exists, reach out for help.

The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to increase awareness of problem gambling, promote prevention and research, and advocate for the availability of treatment. KYCPG is supported by memberships and donations. Corporate members include Churchill Downs, Inc (Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, Newport Racing and Gaming, Oak Grove Racing Gaming and Hotel, Derby City Gaming, and TwinSpires); Keeneland Race Course; The Mint (formerly Kentucky Downs); The Red Mile; The Kentucky Lottery Corporation; KRM Wagering; Bally's Evansville, Belterra Casino Resort, Caesars Southern Indiana, Caesars Entertainment Sportsbook, Draft Kings, and Fan Duel.

Members of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling Board of Directors are President, Director of Education and NCPG Representative RonSonLyn Clark, Psy.D., Owensboro; Treasurer Michael Townsend, Crestwood; Secretary Patrick Malarkey, Louisville; Professional Adviser Curtis L. Barrett, Ph.D., Prospect; John Arnett, Florence; Jim Blackerby, Lexington; Dennis Boyd, Louisville; Scott Hunt, Ph.D., Richmond; Gerrimy Keiffer, Owensboro; Patrick Malarkey, Louisville, Chip Polston, Louisville; and Kaleb Whtworth, Franklin.

When It's No Longer Fun - There Is Help.

If you or someone you know thinks there is a gambling problem, please call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.