Tennessee Health Care Center Gets More Calls for Gambling

More people visit the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services 24/7 hotline for diversion and care. The calls for information about gambling addictions have risen since the introduction of legal sports betting in the state.

Addiction Сare Сenter Gets Calls For Gambling

Internet sports betting is legal and started on November 1, in Tennessee. Currently, Tennessees who develop addictions through contact the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services. Additionally, people with gambling addiction can also approach the Association.

With that in mind, there has been an rise in calls relating to gambling according to the Association's Executive Direcot, Mary-Linden Salter. The organization operates the Tennessee REDLINE, a 24/7 drug care and rehab center.

In a TN Bets interview, salter reported that there has been an rise in the number of people who contacted the REDLINE for details about gambling addiction. She explained that 11 requests for information about gambling addiction were made in October 2019. The number rose to 17 in October 2020. In comparison, after November 1's publication, requests for information on gambling addiction hit 43 by November 9, Salter reported.

Taxation In Sports Betting Will Benefit Drug Recovery

The state lottery was the only legal gambling operation in Tennessee until online sports betting began on November 1. Provided that sports betting is still alive, it is expected that the tax formed would add fresh tax revenue to the coffers of the state. The aggregate gaming income tax is set at 20% for the online betting platforms.

In that way, according to the state plan, 80% of the levy will be distributed to the Tennessee Education Lottery. About 15% of revenues will be distributed to city councils to help finance municipal services such as bridges, schools and infrastructure.

The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will receive 5% of the tax proceeds from sports betting and will use it for recovery facilities for people with gambling addiction. Tennesseans are often secured by the self-exclusion services that many operators have. Furthermore, provided that sports betting is now legal, the sports betting activity on the black market is expected to be diminished considerably.