ROANOKE (WSLS10) -Buying a powerball ticket for some people is as simple as going to a gas station, but for others it can be a hard temptation to avoid. Powerball's record setting jackpot of now more than $1.5 billion
Local health experts say the game could trigger a gamblers' old habits, costing them much more than just the price of a ticket.
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Psychiatrist Tracey Criss with Carilion says it's important for addicts to avoid the triggers that could set them back.
"Just like a diabetic that probably shouldn't hang out around a bakery, or an alcoholic shouldn't hang out around a bar, if you have had a gambling problem in the past, it's probably not a good idea to hang out at the local convenient store or somewhere like that where you are going to be more likely to get involved with gambling because everyone else is getting involved with that," Criss said.
Criss suggests that people who have difficulties dealing with the temptation to take advantage of services offered by local gambling anonymous groups.