As legalized gambling gains momentum across Virginia, public health experts and lawmakers are sounding the alarm over a growing crisis: problem gambling. With casinos now open in several cities and mobile sports betting more accessible than ever, addiction specialists say the Commonwealth has not kept pace in providing safeguards.
“We went from zero to 60 very fast,” said Dr. Carolyn Hawley, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and head of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling. “And yet, our safety net for people developing gambling problems is playing catch-up.”
VCU’s Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health (VPGH) has seen a 200% surge in individuals seeking help in recent years. The group provides outreach, treatment, and peer-based recovery support, aiming to meet people in varied settings—from clinics to prisons.
Learning From Other States and Expanding Peer Support
At a recent meeting of Virginia’s Problem Gambling Treatment & Support Advisory Committee, experts turned to outside examples for guidance. James Whelan, a gambling researcher from the University of Memphis, presented findings from a Tennessee study showing casino staff were largely unprepared to assist people seeking help. “No one said I don’t know this answer but let me get your information and I’ll get it to you,” he told the committee.
Hawley proposed placing trained support staff directly in gambling venues. “They’d be there to assist with those questions and could maybe get people the support they need,” she explained.
Peer recovery specialists, people in recovery trained to guide others, have proven especially effective. VPGH reports that 93% of callers to Virginia’s gambling helpline are connected to providers within a week. Once peer support was introduced, the percentage of callers following through on treatment jumped from 15% to 45%—and continues to rise.
“They’re the ones who can say, ‘I’ve been there,’” said Hawley. “They know the shame. They know the fear. And they provide hope.”
Calls for Unified Oversight and More Funding
Despite notable gains, funding remains limited. Virginia’s casinos brought in $732 million in revenue in 2024, yet only a small portion is directed toward addiction services. “We’re asking for peanuts, and we get crumbs,” said Hawley.
Delegate Paul Krizek, who spearheaded a 2024 push to establish a gaming commission, says the state needs a streamlined structure. “Right now, we’re still facing a fragmented process that lacks proper oversight,” he said. He emphasized the need for consistent regulation, especially as issues like skill games and new casino proposals spark debate.
Petersburg Senator Lashrecse Aird echoed the urgency: “As active as the gaming community is now, we can’t go another year without a comprehensive gaming commission.”
Changing Perceptions Around Gambling Addiction
Many still view gambling addiction as a personal flaw rather than a diagnosable condition. “With gambling, people think it’s a character flaw,”Hawley said. “That prevents people from reaching out, and, sometimes, by the time they do, they’ve lost everything.”
She emphasized that gambling, like other addictions, impacts the brain’s reward system. Symptoms can include lying, financial distress, withdrawal from loved ones, and even suicidal thoughts.
Hawley’s message is simple: Virginia doesn’t need to ban gambling—it just needs to build a system that supports those who fall into addiction.
Source:
“Virginia’s problem gambling committee takes lessons from other states”, wvtf.org, Jul 30, 2025
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