March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the Virginia Lottery is lending its support. Velvet Hall has details…
News Release from the Virginia Lottery:
Virginia Lottery encourages support for National Problem Gambling Awareness Month with “Play Responsibly” Public Services Announcements
The Virginia Lottery is marking National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, March 2014, by reissuing two public service announcements (PSAs) for television and radio, encouraging responsible play.
The first PSA, titled “Play Responsibly,” promotes the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline, which assists people who think they or loved ones may have a gambling problem. It emphasizes that a problem gambler can make a positive change by seeking help. The second PSA, titled “Play by the Rules,” reminds Virginians that it is against state law to buy or sell lottery tickets to anyone younger than 18. Both television and radio spots include English and Spanish versions, and will air across the Commonwealth.
Along with the PSAs, the Lottery has produced Play Responsibly brochures and is developing a problem gambling awareness instructional video for employees.
The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline is a toll-free number, (888) 532-3500, created and supported by the Lottery. Helpline operators can answer questions and provide callers with information and referrals such as Gamblers Anonymous chapters in Virginia. All Virginia Lottery tickets and most printed advertising materials contain the phone number.
Along with funding the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline, the Lottery maintains a “Play Responsibly” page on its Web site, with information and links to the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous.
To show its support of National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, no lottery product television or radio advertising will air March 1-7. Although most people can play games of chance without ill effects, there are some for whom gambling can be harmful. That is why the message from the Lottery is simple: have fun and play responsibly.
When it comes to education, the Virginia Lottery is game. In fact, it’s the reason we play. We generate more than $1.3 million per day for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. Operating entirely on revenue from the sale of Lottery products, the Virginia Lottery generated more than $486.5 million for Virginia’s public schools in Fiscal Year 2013. For more info, visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check us out on YouTube. Please play responsibly.
