Virginia Council on Problem Gambling - VCPG

03/10/2026

Today, March 10, is Gambling Disorder Screening Day, a reminder that early screening can identify risks, reduce harm and connect people to support and recovery.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, only 15% of Americans have ever been asked about their gambling behavior by a primary care provider.

Routine screening plays a critical role in early detection and can improve treatment outcomes.

🔗 Use this quick three item screen to see if you may have a gambling problem: https://www.divisiononaddiction.org/wp-content/plugins/bbgs-e-screener/index.php

📱 Help is available 24/7. If you or someone you know needs support, please call, text or chat our free and confidential helpline at 1.888.532.3500.

03/09/2026

Advancing prevention, education and recovery!

Don’t miss the Breaking the Cycle Summit on June 17th in Danville, Virginia. Learn, connect and support problem gambling prevention efforts across the Commonwealth.

🔗 Register today: www.vpgc.org/events

🎤 Voices. Expertise. Action.

Our speaker lineup for Breaking the Cycle: Advancing Prevention & Education brings together leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to strengthening prevention and recovery across Virginia.

This is more than a conference — it’s a day of practical insight, meaningful conversation, and real solutions you can take back to your organization and community.

If you work in behavioral health, healthcare, education, corrections, prevention, or community leadership — you don’t want to miss this.

🗓 June 17, 2026
📍 Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
🔗 Registration is open. Visit spvgc.org/events Be the Break.

Southside Behavioral Health Virginia Council on Problem Gambling - VCPG TELUS Health Gambling Research and Policy Initiative - GRPI Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services Virginia Lottery .org

03/06/2026

Problem gambling impacts far more people than most realize.

It’s not always visible. It’s not always talked about. And it’s often misunderstood.

Recognizing the signs of a gambling problem is an important step toward breaking stigma, starting conversations and connecting people to help.

Awareness can make a difference. Learn the signs. Support recovery.

📲 If you or someone you know needs support for a gambling problem, help is available. Call or text our confidential, toll-free 24/7 helpline at 1-888-532-3500.

www.vcpg.net

03/04/2026

In 2025, the need for problem gambling support reached an all-time high and we connected with more individuals than ever before.

As legalized gambling, particularly iGaming, continues to expand across the Commonwealth, more Virginians are reaching out for help.

This increase reflects both growing awareness and a rising need for services:

✔️ Direct Requests for Help: Intakes increased 50% from 2024, totaling 1,508 calls from individuals directly requesting help.

✔️ Helpline Calls: There were 21,983 total calls, a 39% increase from 2024.

✔️ Strengthened Partnerships: The Helpline directly referred over 500 individuals to Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health (VPGH) services.

✔️ Fast Access to Treatment: 93% of those connected through VPGH met with an external treatment provider within one week.

🔗 Discover how we are making a difference across the Commonwealth in our 2025 Annual Report (linked below).

03/02/2026

In the past year, approximately 20 million American adults reported experiencing at least one indicator of problematic gambling behavior.

This March, VCPG is proud to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month alongside the National Council on Problem Gambling.

We’re committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma and connecting communities to provide support and build stronger futures together.

02/23/2026

Our work in action!

Last week, together with the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health, VCPG Executive Director Willard Robertson participated in a panel discussion on problem gambling in Virginia, featuring keynote speaker Dan Trolaro, at James Madison University!

𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 welcomed 65 JMU students and community members for an important conversation on awareness, education and support.

👏 Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more about gaming and gambling risks and behaviors, as well as help to strengthen our prevention efforts in Virginia!

𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 (l𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘰 r𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵): 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘗𝘎𝘏, 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘊𝘗𝘎, 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘨 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘮 𝘊𝘚𝘉, 𝘈𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘋𝘉𝘏𝘋𝘚, 𝘋𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘐𝘊 360, 𝘈𝘻𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘗𝘎𝘏 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘢 𝘒𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘔𝘜 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳.

02/20/2026

Don't miss this important conversation on Gambling & Technology: Innovation, Risk, & Responsibility next month during Problem Gambling Awareness Month!

Join Keith Whyte, VCPG Board Member and 30-year veteran in responsible gambling, for an interactive discussion on how technology, from AI to prediction markets, is shaping gambling, risk and policy. Discover ways to balance innovation with responsibility to protect public health.

📅 March 4, 2026
⏰: 10am-12pm
🖥️ Virtual on Teams

🔗 Register today: http://tinyurl.com/PGAM2026

02/16/2026

Help is available!

Join Stronger Together: Support for Loved Ones and Affected Others this Wednesday evening for a virtual session designed to support those impacted by problem gambling.

🕡 6:30-7:30 PM
📍 Zoom (Open to Virginia residents)
🔗 Register today: https://form.jotform.com/250916051419151

We would love to invite you to join us at Stronger Together: Support for Loved Ones and Affected Others. This group is hosted by VPGH Network Clinician, Tammy Muir and VPGH Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Lisa Cochran. This group will provide support for loved ones of individuals experiencing gambling related harm.

🗓️ When: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Via Zoom

This group is open to Virginia residents. Click the link below to register and join us:
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/250916051419151

02/12/2026

Struggling with problem gambling? Take the first steps to recovery!

RecoverMe empowers individuals affected by gambling-related harm through practical, evidence-based support. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and mindfulness sessions, the app helps users build awareness and regain control.

🔗 Learn more and download it today: www.recovermeapp.co.uk

02/05/2026

Big 🏈 weekend ahead! Make sure your game plan includes knowing the risks of gambling and setting clear limits.

Virginians, here are a few reminders to keep in mind before kickoff.

🔗 Looking for more tips and information? Check out this ABC 8News - WRIC article: https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/gambling-risks-super-bowl-sunday-vcpg/

📲 If you or someone you know needs support for a gambling problem, help is available. Call or text our confidential, toll-free 24/7 helpline at 1-888-532-3500. We’re here to help!

02/04/2026

Join us at the 3rd Annual Problem Gambling & Gaming Prevention Conference—a full day dedicated to awareness, prevention and meaningful action!

🗓 March 25, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
📍 Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA

Hear from expert speakers, participate in interactive workshops and engage in discussions focused on preventing problem gambling and gaming while promoting healthier communities.

🎟 Tickets: $30
🔗 Learn more and register: www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-problem-gambling-gaming-prevention-conference-tickets-1969792757162?aff=oddtdtcreator

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect and make a difference!

02/02/2026

$1.76 billion.

That’s how much is expected to be bet on the Big Game across U.S. sportsbooks, according to the American Gaming Association. 🏈 A nearly 27% increase from last year!

Stay tuned as we share tips to help keep gambling fun and safe for Virginians!

🔗 For more helpful resources, visit: www.vcpg.net