The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery announced on Mar. 9 that it is joining the National Council on Problem Gambling to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month this March.
The initiative aims to raise public awareness about problem gambling, promote prevention, and encourage treatment and recovery services for those affected. The lottery emphasized its commitment to responsible gaming and supporting Arkansans who may be struggling with gambling issues.
“Since 2009, the mission of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has been to maximize net proceeds for student scholarships—responsibly,” said ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong. “This month, and year-round, we want to remind players that lottery games are entertainment. Please be mindful and know your limits as you play.”
Problem gambling is described as a mental health condition that can impact anyone, with signs including persistent thoughts about gambling, attempts to recover losses by further gambling, continued play despite negative consequences, and feeling out of control. According to national estimates cited by the lottery, between 5 and 8 million adults in the United States have mild or moderate gambling problems, while approximately 2.5 million meet criteria for a severe issue.
Strong encouraged individuals facing challenges with problem gambling to seek help through the National Problem Gambling Helpline. She said: “If you or someone you know struggles with problem gambling, reach out to the National Problem Gambling Helpline.”
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has received Responsible Gambling Certification from both the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and the National Council on Problem Gambling. This certification involves a multi-step verification process ensuring best practices in employee training, retailer education, and player support are followed.
Since its inception in 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery reports it has sold over $8 billion in tickets and returned more than $1.5 billion for scholarships benefiting students across Arkansas. More than 822,000 college scholarships have been distributed by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education using these funds. As of Jan. 31, 2026, over $5.7 billion in prizes have been awarded to players.
Additional resources on responsible play are available at MyArkansasLottery.com/PlayersHub or ncpgambling.org/FAQs.
