Problem Gambling

  • Florida sports betting hotlines are being overwhelmed due to a lack of funding from the state.
  • With each staff member taking 150-200 calls a day, they are being overrun during the biggest gambling event of the year.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the Super Bowl just days away, sports betting in Florida is at an all-time high. But behind the excitement, there’s a major issue—Florida’s only problem gambling hotline has lost its state funding at the worst possible time.

No State Support as Calls for Help Surge

Since the launch of Hard Rock Bet, calls to Florida’s gambling helpline have nearly doubled, reaching 63,000 in 2024 alone. Yet, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) is struggling to keep up, operating with just seven staff members while handling more than 170 calls and texts a day. The hotline is supposed to be a lifeline for problem gamblers of Florida sports betting, but without state funding, the FCCG is barely staying afloat.

The state used to provide $2 million annually to support problem gambling services, but that funding stopped in July 2024 due to bureaucratic issues. Now, the only financial backing for the hotline comes from the Seminole Tribe, which operates Hard Rock Bet.

Super Bowl Betting: Big Business, Bigger Risks

Super Bowl Sunday is the single biggest betting day of the year. Millions of dollars will be wagered on everything from the game’s winner to coin toss betting odds and even the color of the Gatorade bath. But with no state-backed resources for those who lose control, problem gamblers are left with fewer options for help.

The normalization of legal sports betting—driven by non-stop ads, celebrity endorsements, and easy mobile access—has led to an explosion in young gamblers. Nearly 60% of male college students now bet on sports, and many develop issues before turning 21.

Dr. Keith Buckley, a professor and coach at Rollins College, compares the situation to an alcoholic living in a bar.

“It’s not a crisis yet, but it’s going to be,” said Buckley. “There’s no visual appearance that someone is a compulsive and addicted gambler.”

What’s Next for Florida Bettors?

For Florida sports bettors, the lack of a properly funded helpline doesn’t mean they shouldn’t enjoy the Super Bowl betting action. But it does highlight a growing issue—while betting options continue to expand, responsible gambling resources are falling behind.

With billions of dollars bet on sports in Florida each year, the state has the means to fund problem gambling support. The question now is whether Florida will step up to ensure players who need help can get it—or if it will continue to leave them behind.

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