Kentucky Lottery now offers problem gambling info via text or chat

Jul 30, 2016, 6:20 pm (12 comments)

Kentucky Lottery

For nearly two decades, people in Kentucky have been able to call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) to speak with a counselor concerning issues with problem gambling. This service has now been expanded to include text and online chat capabilities.

This program is administered by the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG), and is being underwritten by the Kentucky Lottery. "Thousands of callers have been helped or received information on problem and addicted gambling through the helpline," KYCPG Executive Director Michael R. Stone said. "We appreciate the Kentucky Lottery's commitment to social responsibility in expanding this important 24/7 service with text and chat capabilities."

If a person doesn't want to speak with someone for more information, they can send a text to 1-800-GAMBLER to interact with a counselor. They can also go to the lottery's website at www.kylottery.com, click on the "Play Responsibly" button at the bottom of the page, and be taken to a link where they can conduct an online chat with a counselor. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hotline staff are able to provide information concerning the disorder, and can help callers find a local Gamblers Anonymous chapter or other form of help.

"As lottery sales have expanded to the Internet, we felt compelled to expand the KYCPG's capability to reach people via the same platform," said the lottery's Sr. Vice President of Communications, PR and Social Responsibility Chip Polston. "Our lottery has been at the forefront of the responsible gambling movement in the industry for many years, and this was a natural progression for us to provide information to people who may be at risk."

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Press Release

Comments

TheMeatman2005's avatarTheMeatman2005

Bravo to the KY Lottery. Thumbs Up

All other state lotteries should follow their lead.

Play with your head, not over it! It's just a game!

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by TheMeatman2005 on Jul 30, 2016

Bravo to the KY Lottery. Thumbs Up

All other state lotteries should follow their lead.

Play with your head, not over it! It's just a game!

I Agree! Thank You, KY Lottery. And everyone who helps problem gamblers.

Tatototman65's avatarTatototman65

Quote: Originally posted by TheMeatman2005 on Jul 30, 2016

Bravo to the KY Lottery. Thumbs Up

All other state lotteries should follow their lead.

Play with your head, not over it! It's just a game!

I Agree!

Smile

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Usually when someone has a serious gambling problem (known in the business as degenerate gamblers) it's not the gambler with the problem that goes for help, it's a family member.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

So how does this work? You get a text saying " I think you'all have a gambling problem. Watch UK basketball instead."

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Jul 30, 2016

I Agree! Thank You, KY Lottery. And everyone who helps problem gamblers.

The KY lottery is  very progressive IMO.  Though I consider myself an outsider Kentuckian, programs like this make me proud.  Though I play lotteries in different states, never consider myself a compulsive gambler.  For KY all that has to be done is get off the couch/click/confirm/buy tickets on line for MM/PB and Cashball.

noise-gate

California has had this for years. Once again we lead the way- whether it's movies or having the least burglaries nationwide we leading the charge on awareness.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jul 30, 2016

California has had this for years. Once again we lead the way- whether it's movies or having the least burglaries nationwide we leading the charge on awareness.

OK then, Calfornia should have, IMO, on-line purchases for Superlotto, Powerball and Megamillions.  Please don't get me started that your state is the only one that can't purchase Powerplay or Megaplier.  In your state's defense though, SOMETIMES the second tier prize is higher than those of us who purchase the extra dollar for Powerplay/Megaplier.

Now for an opposing point of view, NJ player last night purchased Megaplier and ended up with $5 million.  Now I will go your website to see the payout amount for MM. 

 

I do not understand why your legislature insists on para-mutuel payouts, but that's the way it goes!

Groppo's avatarGroppo

.

WOW.  My state, as much as I want to leave it (and go to Californy),
has always campaigned for things like "bet with your head; not over it",   since last century.

But I read a lot here as if it's a new idea or something.

The wisest people (not necessarily from my town) will indeed watch their spending,
and avoid the casino parking lots where they stand a good chance of getting stabbed and shot.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Jul 30, 2016

OK then, Calfornia should have, IMO, on-line purchases for Superlotto, Powerball and Megamillions.  Please don't get me started that your state is the only one that can't purchase Powerplay or Megaplier.  In your state's defense though, SOMETIMES the second tier prize is higher than those of us who purchase the extra dollar for Powerplay/Megaplier.

Now for an opposing point of view, NJ player last night purchased Megaplier and ended up with $5 million.  Now I will go your website to see the payout amount for MM. 

 

I do not understand why your legislature insists on para-mutuel payouts, but that's the way it goes!

The lottery payouts here ebb & flow BD. It would seem to outsiders that it's " unfair" to not give a million regardless of the 2nd prize, but the powers that be have always put Education first. This lottery out here was sold on the idea that is to supplement the education system. Other State lotteries pay out that $1,000,000 regardless of their ticket sales, and could faces financial crisis if they had 2nd place winners on a regular basis- not us. Our lottery CANNOT be tampered with by the politicians out here unlike other State policies.There is no dipping of hands into the State lottery & moving funds to building roads or some other projects.Not going to happen. Our lottery is always going to pay its winners. None of this nonsense about Politicians not passing a budget crap.Our lottery is for lack of a better word -untouchable. I have yet to read or hear of Californian players complaining about the payout system. This was discussed months before it was rolled out & the playing public agreed, so from from time to time we will gets $2 mil payout & more, but we don't run our lottery in the red, with good reason.

 

* Spellcheck on this iphone....Sucks big time!!!

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jul 30, 2016

The lottery payouts here ebb & flow BD. It would seem to outsiders that it's " unfair" to not give a million regardless of the 2nd prize, but the powers that be have always put Education first. This lottery out here was sold on the idea that is to supplement the education system. Other State lotteries pay out that $1,000,000 regardless of their ticket sales, and could faces financial crisis if they had 2nd place winners on a regular basis- not us. Our lottery CANNOT be tampered with by the politicians out here unlike other State policies.There is no dipping of hands into the State lottery & moving funds to building roads or some other projects.Not going to happen. Our lottery is always going to pay its winners. None of this nonsense about Politicians not passing a budget crap.Our lottery is for lack of a better word -untouchable. I have yet to read or hear of Californian players complaining about the payout system. This was discussed months before it was rolled out & the playing public agreed, so from from time to time we will gets $2 mil payout & more, but we don't run our lottery in the red, with good reason.

 

* Spellcheck on this iphone....Sucks big time!!!

Thank you for enlightening me on your lottery.  In KY, a much, much smaller lottery our funds go to education too and we're not in the red paying out like other states do.  (Were you referencing Illinois...lol???)

I'm off my high horse about your lottery and won't mention it again even though I cringed seeing the three second prize payouts, while up there, still a little shy of $1 million.  I still have folks get my CA lottery tickets because you just never know.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

I pretend that each lottery ticket costs $1,000,000. It stops me from playing the lottery.

 

Green laughGreen laughGreen laugh

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