Michigan residents who need help with a gambling addiction will have a new resource.
Michigan’s gaming control board will transition to the National Problem Gambling Helpline, (800) GAMBLER, to replace Michigan’s problem gambling helpline, (800) 270-7117, though this line will remain in operation.
Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said the transition to (800) GAMBLER will ensure that Michigan residents looking for support to fight a gambling addiction can reach specially trained responders and get confidential professional support, local referrals, and resources.
The most-recent figures available show that Michigan residents spent more than $4.9 billion on state-run lottery games alone. Figures for other types of gaming – online, sports betting and at casinos – were not immediately available.
The National Council on Problem Gambling operated (800) GAMBLER is the world’s largest problem gambling helpline network by call volume, population served, and geographic area covered. The helpline connects people and families impacted by problem gambling with professional support, local referrals, and resources.
In addition to the toll-free line, calls made to 1-800-GAMBLER from Michigan will be routed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The helpline can also be reached by texting 800GAM or chatting online at 1800gamblerchat.org.
People looking for support will find trained professionals 24/7, 365 days a year. The National Council on Problem Gambling offers support for players or their family members via live chat, text, and the helpline number.
The Michigan Lottery was the first lottery in the U.S. to achieve the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program certification through NCPG in October 2015.
Players who play the Lottery’s online games but want to avoid addiction can use gaming safeguards and tools including:
• A variety of self-exclusion periods
• Daily and weekly deposit limits
• Daily loss limits
• A variety of cool-off periods
• Age verification at account registration
• Play history to monitor gaming activity
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