As a result of this, Metro State University in Minnesota has created a new course that will aim to tackle the problem by instructing future counselors on how to treat problem gambling.
In the state 250,000 people report having problems with gambling yet there are only 19 licensed therapists in the state who are certified to treat the issue.
“It’s a problem that gets exponentially bigger every year, and we need to have the resources and the trained counselors to address this issue,” said course leader Craig Johnson, speaking to FOX 9. “I have almost 30 patients that I see, and I would say about a quarter of them are struggling with sports wagering.”
Johnson explained that the first-of-its-kind class will teach the psychological and physiological aspects of gambling on the body, as well as the impact on families and finance..