Louisiana Lottery Observes National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

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BATON ROUGE – During the month of March, the Louisiana Lottery is joining the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG) in their efforts to encourage responsible play by observing National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. 
 
“Educating players about the importance of playing responsibly is a top priority for the Louisiana Lottery,” said Lottery President Rose Hudson. “We support efforts to raise awareness of problem gambling, and to also ensure that those who need help know that it’s available and where to find it.”
 
The Lottery takes this effort seriously by distributing problem gambling awareness brochures in all of its retailer play centers; printing the problem gambling helpline number on all tickets, advertising, news releases and sales materials; and encouraging players to adhere to responsible play techniques throughout the year but especially during the national observance.
 
Playing responsibly means:
  • Setting a dollar limit and sticking to it.
  • Gambling only for fun.
  • Accepting losing as part of the game.
  • Thinking of the money spent as the cost of entertainment.
  • Never borrowing money to gamble.
  • Not allowing gambling to interfere with family, friends or work.
  • Never gambling to win back losses.
  • Not gambling as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.
The first $500,000 in Lottery proceeds goes to the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health to fund problem gambling prevention and treatment programs, such as the state helpline number, 1-877-770-7867.
 
More information and resources can be found on the Lottery’s website, www.louisianalottery.com/play-responsibly, on the NCPG website, www.ncpgambling.org, or by visiting www.dhh.la.gov and selecting the Office of Behavioral Health’s Addictive Disorders Services.