Virginia gambling support referrals jump 36.5% in first half of 2026

The Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health reported a 36.53% year-over-year increase in referrals and intakes in the first half of 2026, reflecting rising demand for problem gambling support as legal gambling and online gaming expand statewide. The Richmond-based program added clinicians, expanded outreach and warned that state funding has not kept pace.

Why it matters: - Virginia’s gambling market is expanding, and the demand for problem gambling treatment is rising with it. - VPGH’s growth shows more Virginians are seeking help, while funding for the state support fund has not matched that pace. - The gap could affect how quickly people get connected to treatment and recovery services.

What happened: - The Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health reported a 36.53% increase in referrals and intakes in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. - Carolyn Hawley, director of VPGH, said the organization has not reached a plateau as gambling access continues to expand. - VPGH is housed at Virginia Commonwealth University and was created through the Virginia Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.

The details: - Support seekers are immediately connected to peer recovery support through VPGH. - Nearly all support seekers meet with a specialized treatment provider within one week. - VPGH added 27 new clinicians and two certified peer recovery specialists to its statewide provider network in the first six months of 2026. - VPGH conducted 76 community outreach activities during that period. - Those outreach efforts reached more than 3,735 people. - Hawley said VPGH has invested in provider training, education and outreach, and research that informs policy and practice. - Hawley said no other organization offers the same range of services. - VPGH partners with the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. - VPGH covers the cost of treatment when needed so eligible Virginians can receive recovery services. - VPGH also provides evidence-based training on problem gambling to clinicians and peer recovery specialists in its network.

Between the lines: - The referral spike suggests problem gambling services are becoming a more visible need as legal betting and online gaming become easier to access. - Hawley’s comments point to a system under pressure, where service demand is growing faster than dedicated funding. - The expansion of clinicians and outreach signals VPGH is trying to scale both treatment access and prevention at the same time.

What’s next: - VPGH is pushing for more funding for the Virginia Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. - Hawley said additional treatment dollars would allow VPGH to add more peer recovery specialists, train more providers, and expand research on best practices. - VPGH is expected to keep building its statewide response as gambling continues to evolve in Virginia.

The bottom line: - VPGH is seeing demand surge, and leaders say Virginia will need more money, staff and research to keep up with the growing need for problem gambling support.