Amid Growing Concerns: Kentucky Expands Gambling Addiction Support

Kentucky, US, is trying to do more to help people dealing with gambling addiction as sports betting becomes more common across the state and the basketball season gets underway. Addiction Shouldn’t Be That Hard to Identify Recovery groups in Louisville are working to make gambling addiction easier to recognize and to connect people with support before financial problems become overwhelming. The Louisville Recovery Community Connection is partnering with SOS for Addictions and Evive, a mobile app designed to provide support to people struggling with gambling. Advocates say gambling problems can be particularly difficult to spot because much of the damage happens privately. Daniel Harvey, a grant manager with the Louisville Recovery Community Connection, said sports betting can begin as something people consider harmless entertainment. Over time, however, frequent wagers can become increasingly difficult to control. Harvey knows the issue personally, as his own road to gambling began with trips to casinos, where the possibility of winning money was part of the attraction. Eventually, came to realize that he needed to confront the problem. “I made a complete defeat and said, I can’t do this,” Harvey said, describing the point when he decided he needed to take control of his gambling. Kimberly Hinkel-Browning, chief executive officer and founder of SOS for Addictions, said gambling addiction can remain hidden even when it causes serious financial consequences. She said a person’s family, friends or colleagues may have no idea that someone is struggling with gambling debts, spending their remaining money on bets or taking out loans to cover losses. Hinkel-Browning said more conversations and screening could help identify gambling problems earlier. She noted that screening tools already exist but are not being used widely enough. Free Access, Peer Support, Daily Check-In The groups are also working with Sam DeMello, who developed the Evive app after dealing with gambling addiction himself. The partners have spent the past year adapting the app for people in Kentucky. DeMello said the goal is to give people a way to seek help without having to make a phone call or immediately disclose their gambling problem to someone. Evive is available for free and offers peer support, access to trained clinicians, and daily check-ins. The outreach comes as Kentucky prepares for a gambling-focused town hall in Louisville on October 29. The event will address gambling addiction and available resources. The issue is also playing out in the courts. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is suing several prediction market and online gambling companies, alleging that some are operating illegal gambling businesses in the state. The lawsuits also raise questions about whether some platforms are providing adequate resources for people experiencing gambling-related problems. For recovery advocates, the focus remains on making support easier to find and encouraging people to seek help before gambling losses affect their finances, relationships, or daily lives.