Natural State News

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL), in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), has designated March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. This effort is aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of problem gambling, as well as providing information on prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Problem gambling is described as a behavior that negatively impacts an individual or their loved ones, often affecting their daily life or career. It is a serious mental health condition that affects around 2.5 million adults in the United States.

“The mission of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is to maximize net proceeds in a responsible manner,” stated ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong. “We encourage responsible play year-round and partner with NCPG to recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month."

She added, “The ASL reminds players to know their limits, only play lottery games for entertainment, and seek support if they struggle with problem gambling.”

While playing lottery games can be entertaining for most adults, there is always a risk of developing a gambling problem.

The NCPG has identified six signs indicative of problem gambling. Recognizing these signs is essential for preventing problem gambling and supporting recovery efforts.

ASL has been awarded Responsible Gambling Certification from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and the NCPG. This certification includes a multi-step verification program ensuring best practices are followed in training lottery employees and retailers and offering treatment options for players who may have a gambling issue.

Arkansans are encouraged by ASL to engage in responsible play throughout the year. Additional resources on responsible gaming and problem gambling can be found at MyArkansasLottery.com/PlayersHub.

For further details about problem gambling, visit ncpgambling.org/FAQs. If you or someone you know faces issues with problem gambling, contact the 24-hour confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline by calling or texting 1-800-522-4700.

Since its inception in 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has sold over $7.8 billion worth of tickets and returned more than $1.4 billion for scholarships benefiting Arkansas students. Over 770,000 college scholarships have been distributed through this initiative by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The lottery has also awarded more than $5 billion in prizes to players and contributed over $182 million in state and federal tax revenue.

To stay updated with the latest information from ASL, follow them on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram or visit MyArkansasLottery.com for details on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – including joining The Club for free.

The Office of the Arkansas Lottery strives to ensure accuracy across all its websites but notes that neither it nor its employees will be liable for actions taken based on information from its sources. Official winning numbers must be verified by OAL’s central gaming system before prizes are awarded.

For assistance with problem gambling, reach out to the National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org.