First N.C. Problem Gambling Report Presented

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First N.C. Problem Gambling Report Presented

Special Report - February 5, 2007
Last week, a report entitled "Effects of the North Carolina State Lottery on the Incidence of Gambling Addiction" was presented to the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly. Prepared by the Division of Mental Health, Development Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, the report is the first of such annual reports required under House Bill 1023 that established the North Carolina State Lottery. In the letter of transmittal, Carmen Hooker Odom, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said, "This report presents findings on gambling behaviors among adult North Carolinians prior to the sale of the first lottery ticket on March 30, 2006 and provides the reference against which the incidence of gambling will be measured in the future."

The report includes numerous statistics on the incidence of gambling (50.3%) and the prevelance for problem gambling (2.1%) in North Carolina. Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council commented, "This is an important report because it shows the low rates for problem gambling that existed in our state before the lottery began. As the lottery continues, we will see the number of problem gamblers increase, and the tremendous social and economic costs that these individuals will bring on themselves, their families, and on society."

For more information on problem and compulsive gambling, download our policy paper: "Gambling Addiction."