For many Pennsylvanians who struggle with a gambling addiction, the state’s problem gambling hotline is a valuable resource to find support, writes Isaac Avilucea for AXIOS.
This year, the helpline has reached its record number of calls, with over 2,700 through November, according to data from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.
This is double the amount of calls received in 2020 and tops the original record of 2,693 calls in 2023.
The surge in calls has been connected with the rise in online casinos and sports betting, fueled by intense marketing, artificial intelligence, and state budget incentives.
This year alone, companies like FanDuel and BetMGM have spent close to $37 million on Philadelphia-area advertising, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Many individuals call the helpline due to financial distress, problems at work, or marital strain caused by gambling.
Callers are then connected with counseling and credit monitoring services, along with support groups like Gamblers Anonymous.
Men, especially those between the ages of 25 and 35, make up over two-thirds of the state’s hotline callers annually. In 2025, women made up 31 percent of callers.
“There’s a dopamine drip that’s propelling you into that next wager,” said Josh Ercole, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.
Read more about the record number of calls to Pennsylvania’s problem gambling hotline and the factors at play in AXIOS.
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