Virginia Gambling Treatment Network Highlights Wider U.S. Addiction Support Gap

RICHMOND, Va.: A university-led gambling treatment network in Virginia is drawing attention as the U.S. faces growing concern over gambling addiction support.

The work, led by Virginia Commonwealth University researcher Carolyn Hawley, highlights a wider gap between the rapid expansion of legal gambling and the slower development of treatment, prevention and recovery systems.

Hawley, a professor in VCU’s College of Health Professions, directs the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health. The program oversees the state’s gambling helpline, trains mental health providers and connects people with counseling and recovery support.

Virginia Builds Statewide Gambling Treatment Network

Hawley’s work centers on what clinicians often describe as a hidden addiction. Gambling harm can remain difficult to spot until a person is already facing severe financial, emotional or legal consequences.

The problem has become more complex as gambling has moved from casinos and retail betting locations into smartphones, social media and sports betting apps. Hawley said the country made gambling available around the clock before building enough protections around it.

Through a Virginia gambling treatment network, VCU and its partners connect helpline callers with trained providers across the state. The university says 93% of Virginians who contact the gambling helpline are connected with treatment providers within one week.

That response time is important because gambling addiction is linked to severe harm, including debt, family breakdown and elevated suicide risk. Unlike substance-use disorders, gambling addiction still receives limited federal funding for treatment and research, leaving states to build much of the support structure themselves.

Legal Gambling Growth Raises Treatment Questions

The Virginia model comes as legal gambling continues to expand across the U.S. Sports betting, online casino products, fantasy sports, lottery apps and gambling-style game features have made wagering easier to access than at any previous point.

Responsible gambling campaigns often focus on consumer education, but treatment access remains a separate challenge. People who recognize they have a problem may still struggle to find trained clinicians, affordable care or fast referrals.

Virginia’s approach attempts to close that gap by combining academic research, helpline operations, provider training and recovery support. Rather than treating the helpline as a standalone service, the network uses it as an entry point into care.

Hawley has stressed that gambling addiction data should not be viewed only as statistics. “Every data point represents a person,” she said.

State Model Could Inform National Response

The broader issue is whether gambling addiction treatment can keep pace with the legal market. While many states collect tax revenue from sports betting and casino gambling, treatment infrastructure varies widely across the country.

Virginia’s system offers one example of how states can connect gambling policy with public health services. It also shows how universities can play a role in training providers, studying harm and supporting recovery pathways.

The model does not solve the national funding gap, but it gives policymakers a practical reference point. As gambling access continues to expand, faster treatment referrals and stronger provider networks are likely to become a larger part of the responsible gambling debate.

RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling