The Michigan Lottery has announced a partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling in order to best support responsible gambling resources for players.
Lottery players can now access the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER, for responsible gambling support in Michigan.
In addition to the helpline, players can also get help through text or a chat online, which is available at all times. This latest transition puts the health and safety of players first in the Great Lakes State.
Responsible gambling resources easily accessible for Michigan lottery players
The previous method for Michigan lottery players to ask for help was the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-270-7117). That number will remain in operation. But, instead of remembering the number by heart or looking it up, players in Michigan can now call the widely known 1-800-GAMBLER for help.
Calls from the Great Lakes State will be sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Callers are directed to trained professionals that will provide high-level support.
Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli, said in a press release:
“The Lottery is committed to providing Michiganders with easy access to resources that support responsible gaming. By transitioning to 1-800-GAMBLER, we are able to ensure that Michigan residents can reach specially trained staff who can provide confidential professional support, local referrals, and resources to those who may have a gambling problem.”
Those who play the lottery have the comfort of knowing the 1-800-GAMBLER is available for them, too.
Text and chat options are available
For those not comfortable reaching out for help over the phone, the Michigan Lottery has made other options accessible for players in the state.
Michiganders can also ask for help by texting 800GAM or using an online chat at 1800gamblerchat.org. Those methods are just as effective as using the national call helpline.
Through the text and chat, individuals will be greeted by trained professionals. Those employees will provide the same level of support and resources as it would over the phone.
In addition to those options, the lottery provides several tools to combat problem gambling. Those include:
- A variety of self-exclusion periods
- Daily and weekly deposit Limits
- Daily Loss Limits
- A variety of Cool Off periods
- Age verification at account registration
- Play history to monitor gaming activity
The Michigan Lottery became the first group to achieve the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program certification through NCPG in October 2015. That means the Michigan Lottery provides the highest of responsible gambling standards.
The mission isn’t stopping anytime soon for the Michigan Lottery, which supplied another safety resource for players within the state.
