The state’s gambling addiction help-line, 1-800-GAMBLER, has seen a recent increase in call volume. Calls this March were double what they were last March. Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia Director Steve Burton says he cannot be certain if this trend is caused by, or is in spite of, the recent economic recession.

“People who have an addiction to gambling are not more likely to stop because of bad economic news. In fact, many people who are calling us say they keep playing, hoping to win big to pay off their debts or make up for lost income.”

He said about 31 percent of the people now calling the help-line are unemployed, living on disability, or retired.

Burton says the news isn’t necessarily bad.

“It might not be that there is an increase in problem gambling. Rather, it could be that there is an increase in the number of problem gamblers who are asking for help. Certainly the current economic situation is causing some people who may have tried unsuccessfully to deal with this disorder without help to try another route to stop gambling.”

The program has over 80 certified professional counselors statewide, and every person who calls the help-line is offered a free consultation in their community with one of these counselors. Burton says that in some parts of the state the program is now offering new treatment options for callers, including an intense weekend treatment experience, and intensive out patient therapy, which offers several evening sessions per week.