As with any gambling activity, whether it be horse races, dog races, casinos, or the lottery, players are encouraged to be wise about their spending and to play responsibly.

If you find yourself in a quandary, there is help available. Arkansas is launching its state-run lottery on Monday with the debut of scratch-off instant-win tickets.

“The current hot line number is printed on every ticket and will be posted at every retailer. It is 800-522-4700,” said Julie Baldridge, director of commission and legislative affairs for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

“Responsibility for problem gambling programs has been placed by law with the Arkansas Department of Health. Since that agency does not have programs for behavioral addictions, they have subcontracted (or are in the process of subcontracting) with the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

“There has not been any state program for problem gambling stemming from casinos, Internet gambling, racetrack gambling, or any other form of gambling already existing in or near Arkansas. Thus, the program funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery will be the state’s first attempt to address this issue.

“The law does not require the lottery to pay for the program until funds are available from our unclaimed prizes.”

Baldridge planned to meet with the Legislative Oversight Committee to ask that $200,000 of their current budget be transferred to the Department of Health for the program to begin right away.

The Sun-Times (Heber Springs, Ark.)