IN-DEPTH: "Hidden Addiction" in spotlight one year after internet gambling legalized in MI
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One year ago, Michigan legalized online gambling. Michael Burke was a gambling addict and was sentenced to three years in prison. Michigan became the 15th state to legalize online gaming on January 22, 2021. Since then, five more states have joined. The state legalized horse racing in 1933. It expanded to casinos with card games and slots in 2020. In 2021, it will legalize sports gambling in Michigan. Michigan is the only state that allows online betting. iReport.com: iReporter.co.uk: What do you think about gambling? Share your thoughts.
Only $1 million went to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund. The rest of the money went towards the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline. In December 2020, the month before online gambling went live, that helplines took 218 gambling-related calls. February 2019, after it was legalized, it doubled to 563. There were 1,591 calls to helppine in 2020 and more than 3,640 in 2021. Gambling has the highest rate of intentional suicide out of any addiction at 20%. Gaddling is perceived as an issue with lack of control and a lack in self-discipline.
