Opponents of state lotteries warn the scratch-off gambling can be just as addictive and ruinous as drugs and alcohol.

But only a handful of South Carolinians have sought treatment during the last year for destructive gambling habits.

The state Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services says it only began tracking lottery gambling addiction about a year ago. In that time, seven people have sought treatment, said agency spokesman Jimmy Mount, adding that number probably is not an accurate reflection of the problem.

“The idea of gambling as an addiction is a hard sell for some people,” he said. “They’ll say it’s just for fun — even if they’re standing there for half an hour doing scratch-off tickets.”

A gambling addiction also is more difficult to detect because — unlike most drug or alcohol addictions — it may produce no outward physical sign that there is a problem.

Mount said some S.C. gamblers were hooked on video poker, which South Carolina outlawed in 2000, and turned to the lottery as a way to feed their addiction.

About $1 million a year of lottery income goes to pay for addiction services, including for gambling addicts, and a 24-hour gambling hotline. The hotline number is printed on the backs of lottery tickets.

Through the end of March, more than 270 people had called the hotline. But, Mount said, most callers want to know the day’s winning lottery numbers, not get help with a gambling addiction.

To contact the S.C. Gambling Hotline, call (877) 452-4155.

Reach Stensland at (803) 771-8358 or jstensland@thestate.com.