S.C. Lottery Officials Promote Responsibility

Christopher Reid knows a thing or two about addiction.

As an operator for South Carolina Gambling Helpline, Reid has taken phone calls at all hours from people seeking help.

“A person called the other day who had a son that had a gambling problem and she wasn’t sure what she needed to do,” said Reid.

So, in recognition of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, state lottery officials are reminding people of the importance of playing responsibly.

The South Carolina Education Lottery and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services held a news conference Tuesday in Columbia to discuss gambling addiction and treatment.

“We feel like what we can do is get the message out, to families, to friends, to our players, that there is help for them should they feel that our games have left being fun and become an issue in any aspect of their life,” said Paula Harper Bethea, S.C. Education Lottery executive director.

On average, 15 percent to 20 percent of people who gamble can develop an addiction, experts say.

There are also a number of warning signs.

“If it has some sort of negative impact on their lives, such as financial or occupational or any type of relationship problems, where they’re spending too much of their time gambling or spending more money than they usually would spend,” Reid said.

Partaking in illegal activity to support a gambling habit is also sign that someone needs help, he said.

The helpline is available 24 hours a day and provides counseling, advice about addiction and information about treatment options.

“You get a variety of phone calls,” said Reid.

He says some people are looking for help and others simply want to talk to someone about the problems they’re experiencing.

Experts say, often people aren’t aware that they have a problem.

“That’s the initial step. If they call and admit they have a gambling problem, that’s the first step to recovery,” said Reid.

In January, South Carolina began selling tickets for the multistate Mega Millions game.

The state has participated in Powerball, since the lottery began in 2001.

Lottery officials say it’s too soon to tell the affect Mega Millions is having on sales, but so far the results have been mixed.

“We have seen an increase in sales, but it hasn’t been a huge increase. It’s been a slight increase,” said Bethea.

She says sales are up roughly 3 percent overall, but admits that Powerball sales are down.

“We don’t think (Mega Millions) is cannibalizing another game,” she said.

Officials believe they will need three or four more months to truly know the effects of Mega Millions.

“I don’t think that anyone would want us to be blowing the lights out in this economy,” said Bethea.

“I think what it says is that the message that we’re talking about today is getting out there. That our players understand it’s a game. It’s entertainment.”

She says it’s the lottery’s responsibility to provide information for people who need help.

The gambling helpline is included in lottery advertisements and on game tickets.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the helpline at 877-452-5155.