The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has experienced a significant increase in the number of calls its helpline has received since the relaunch of online sports betting in the state. After a prolonged legal battle, the state’s sole platform, Hard Rock Bet, was able to go live once more in December after about two years on the shelf.

family members also get in touch to try to help their loved ones

The helpline for people experiencing issues controlling their gambling received more than double the typical number of calls in the month following the relaunch. Richard Pinsky, a spokesperson for the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, explained that it’s not solely gamblers who ring – family members also get in touch to try to help their loved ones.

Pinsky also said that easy access to sports betting means fewer obstacles for people to gamble. He is calling on state lawmakers to introduce stricter controls on advertisements that often target a younger audience.

Other states noticed a similar uptick in calls following the launch of sports betting. In the first month of the legal market in Ohio, the number of communications the hotline received doubled.