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The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is making $3 million available for youth gambling prevention and awareness.
The Oct. 30 announcement follows recommendations from a state work group.
Grants Target Prevention, Training and Treatment
TDMHSAS is soliciting proposals from public agencies, nonprofits, higher education institutions, community organizations and licensed providers with relevant expertise. Proposals will be reviewed, scored and awarded competitively.
Funding comes from two pools: $1.5 million in recurring dollars and $1.5 million in non-recurring dollars.
The department convened its Youth Gambling Prevention and Awareness Work Group during the summer and fall. Participants represented behavioral health, education, prevention, healthcare, youth-serving organizations, treatment, research and gambling regulation.
The group identified needs across school-based education, youth and parent engagement, workforce training, and early identification. Recommendations also covered treatment and referral pathways, recovery support, data and evaluation, and interagency collaboration.
The projects are intended to build evidence, partnerships, resources and service infrastructure for a coordinated youth-focused response.
Student Survey Shows Early Gambling Exposure
The announcement cited the 2024–25 TN Together Student Survey, which included more than 11,000 students from 34 Tennessee counties.
Among surveyed students, 15% reported gambling during the previous 30 days. Of those recent gamblers, 43% reported gambling on six or more days.
One in four recent gamblers reported sometimes or often thinking about gambling or planning to gamble during that period. The average age of gambling initiation was about 12.
“Tennessee youth are increasingly exposed to gambling-related ads, content, apps, and online financial risk-taking,” TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams said.
Gambling Regulators Join Coordinated Response
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas emphasized cooperation between sectors.
“Taking a coordinated approach across sectors is critical to the success of this complicated effort,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the council is focused on eradicating illegal platforms from Tennessee. She cited concerns about platforms allowing minors access and accepting credit.
Under the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, TDMHSAS receives 5% of the privilege tax assessed on licensed sportsbooks.
Families currently have access to free treatment through The Gambling Clinic, which TDMHSAS funds. The clinic offers in-person counseling in Memphis, Nashville and Johnson City, plus statewide telehealth services.
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Source: As reported by tn.gov.
