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State of Play’s TL;DR
- A new problem gambling treatment center has opened in Pennsylvania.
- It offers in-person support for people struggling with gambling addiction.
A new Problem Gambling Resource and Community Center has opened in Manheim Township, PA, offering in-person help for people struggling with gambling addiction.
Its co-owners say expanded access to online games and sports betting is making the issue harder to ignore.
The center, located in the Village of Olde Hickory in Lancaster County, was opened by Andi Hill and Claude Bradley, who both say they are in recovery after dealing with gambling addiction themselves. Hill told WHTM the center was created because of “a need for in-person support and resources for people who are struggling with gambling problems.”
The ‘hidden secret’
According to the report, the new center is meant to help people overcome gambling disorders and rebuild their lives. Hill described gambling addiction as increasingly common, saying, “It’s so prevalent right now.” Bradley added that gambling addiction can stay hidden from view, calling it “the most hidden secret addiction out there.”
Both owners tied the need for support to their own experiences. Hill said online games during the COVID-19 pandemic became addictive and led to “a horrific downfall” in her life.
“I actually lost everything financially.”
Bradley also pointed to how easy sports betting has become to access, saying it is now available “on your phone now, everywhere.”
Easy access fuels problem gambling
While the WHTM story is centered on one local resource, it also reflects a broader responsible gambling issue: gambling is now available both in casinos and online. Because of that, the owners say more people are getting addicted.
That ease of access is one reason the new center is focused on in-person help and community support.
For people looking for assistance, the center also has a website. Bradley offered a message aimed at those who may be struggling but have not yet asked for help:
“There’s hope for anybody.”
Based on reporting by Barbara Barr for WHTM 12.
