Kentucky Strengthens Gambling Addiction Identification and Support Networks as Sports Betting Expands

Kentucky is increasing efforts to address gambling addiction as sports betting spreads and the basketball season begins. Recovery groups in Louisville are focused on making problems easier to spot and linking people to help before financial harm grows severe.

Identifying Hidden Addiction Through Partnerships

The Louisville Recovery Community Connection is partnering with SOS for Addictions and the Evive mobile app. Daniel Harvey, a grant manager with the Louisville Recovery Community Connection, said sports betting can begin as something people consider harmless entertainment. Over time, however, frequent wagers can become increasingly difficult to control.

“I made a complete defeat and said, I can’t do this,” Harvey said, describing the point when he decided he needed to take control of his gambling. Kimberly Hinkel-Browning, chief executive officer and founder of SOS for Addictions, said gambling addiction can remain hidden even when it causes serious financial consequences. She said a person’s family, friends or colleagues may have no idea that someone is struggling with gambling debts, spending their remaining money on bets or taking out loans to cover losses. Hinkel-Browning said more conversations and screening could help identify gambling problems earlier.

Free Tools, Town Hall and Enforcement Actions

The groups are working with Sam DeMello, who developed the Evive app after dealing with gambling addiction himself. The partners have spent the past year adapting the app for people in Kentucky. DeMello said the goal is to give people a way to seek help without having to make a phone call or immediately disclose their gambling problem to someone. Evive is available for free and offers peer support, access to trained clinicians, and daily check-ins.

The outreach comes as Kentucky prepares for a gambling-focused town hall in Louisville on October 29. The event will address gambling addiction and available resources. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is suing several prediction market and online gambling companies, alleging that some are operating illegal gambling businesses in the state. The lawsuits also raise questions about whether some platforms are providing adequate resources for people experiencing gambling-related problems. As reported by GamblingNews, the focus remains on making support easier to find and encouraging people to seek help before gambling losses affect their finances, relationships, or daily lives.

Reporting: GamblingNews

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