Virginia's gambling expansion must be matched by recovery support

When a state expands gambling—new casinos, sports betting, online platforms—there's always talk about tax revenue and economic development. What rarely gets the same spotlight is the simple math on the other side: more access means more people will develop serious problems, and most of them won't know where to turn. Virginia's situation is a reminder that this isn't abstract policy. It's about real people in your community who'll find themselves unable to stop, and families trying to figure out how to help.

If you're in recovery right now, this should matter to you politically. A state that profits from gambling has a responsibility—not just a nice idea, but a real responsibility—to fund the infrastructure that helps people get out. That means accessible treatment, peer support like Gamblers Anonymous, financial counseling, and crisis hotlines. Right now, most people find recovery through word-of-mouth or sheer desperation. That shouldn't be how it works. You deserve a system that makes help as easy to find as the betting apps are to download.

And if someone you love is struggling, take note: this editorial is saying what you already know—that gambling harm is real, that recovery is possible, and that communities should be built to support both. When your state considers gambling expansion, it's fair to ask: what's the recovery plan?