Gambling on sports has become completely normalized in society but that normalization has led to a spike in calls to Florida’s sole problem gambling center — a center that’s currently not receiving any state funding.
Despite seeing the most call volume in its 37-year history, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is also working with a staff of just seven people, including executive director Jennifer Kruse.
“It definitely should be the other way around,” Kruse told News 6. “Unfortunately, circumstances haven’t allowed for that.”
Since the Hard Rock Bet app went live more than a year ago, calls from problem gamblers have skyrocketed. In 2024, the first full calendar year the app has been available for Floridians, roughly 63,000 people reached out for help — nearly double the volume from 2023.
