Gambling can be a fun activity for adults, but it also comes with risks. For some individuals, gambling can develop into a serious problem that can negatively impact their personal and financial well-being. Problem gambling is defined as behavior that disrupts your personal life, your family, or your job pursuits and creates significant negative consequences.
Simply put, any gambling that creates problems for your life or your loved ones is problem gambling.
Signs of a potential gambling problem include increasing time and money spent gambling, “chasing losses”; i.e.: trying to make up for money lost gambling by continuing to bet, hiding or lying about gambling, and experiencing negative consequences such as debt or relationship problems.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), approximately 1% of adults in the United States meet the criteria for pathological gambling, and another 2-3% are considered problem gamblers.
Gambling and Alcohol
A huge comorbidity for gambling disorders is, you guessed it– alcohol use disorders. Even if you’re not physically addicted to alcohol you may still classify as having an Alcohol Use Disorder or AUD.
And if you do have AUD, you’re 23 times more likely to also have issues with gambling safely. But that doesn’t mean that non-drinkers are safe from gambling addiction either: up to 1% of Americans suffer from gambling addiction, drinkers or not.
Problem Gambling Organizations & Contact Information
Responsible Gambling resources or problem gambling resources are available pretty much wherever gambling is available, both online and in-person. It’s in the best interest of providers and the public to gamble in a safe, informed environment, so any betting parlor that’s worth your money should be offering resources to curb and end problem gambling.
The quickest way to gambling help is to call 1-800-GAMBLER anywhere in the United States. This section contains links and contact information for some of the top problem gambling organizations in the industry. These organizations provide resources and support for individuals struggling with problem gambling.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
The National Council on Problem Gambling is the national organization for addressing problem gambling in the United States. They provide a national helpline (1-800-GAMBLER), prevention programs, and resources for individuals and families impacted by problem gambling.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from a gambling problem. They offer support groups and meetings for individuals struggling with problem gambling.
Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon is a self-help organization for individuals who have been affected by someone else’s gambling problem. They offer support groups and meetings for family members and loved ones of problem gamblers.
GamTalk
GamTalk is a free online support group for individuals struggling with problem gambling. They provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive help and support.
State Specific Resources & Self-Exclusion Information
Every legal US gambling state offers a state-specific problem gambling helpline for its residents. Most legal states also offer a self-exclusion program. The following section lists state-specific resources and self-exclusion information.
Arizona RG Resources
Colorado RG Resources
Connecticut RG Resources
Illinois RG Resources
Indiana RG Resources
Iowa RG Resources
Kansas RG Resources
Louisiana RG Resources
Maryland RG Resources
Massachusetts RG Resources
Michigan RG Resources
Nevada RG Resources
New Jersey RG Resources
New York RG Resources
Ohio RG Resources
Pennsylvania RG Resources
Tennessee RG Resources
Virginia RG Resources
West Virginia RG Resources
Wyoming RG Resources
Limit-Setting Information
In addition to the state-specific self-exclusion links and phone numbers listed above, players located in any legal gambling state can also contact their preferred online operator and request limits to be set on their accounts. Every regulated online operator offers limit-setting options to all of its users. Those options include:
Deposit Limits
Users can set a maximum deposit limit for a specific period, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. Once this limit is reached, the user will be blocked from depositing any more funds.
Time/Spend Limits
Users can set a maximum amount of time or money they are willing to spend on gambling. Similar to the deposit limit mentioned above, the user will be blocked once their preferred limit has been reached.
Time Outs
Users can also take a break from gambling for a set amount of time, such as a day, week, or month. During this period of time, users will not be able to access their accounts at all.
Always Gamble Responsibly
Whether you’re new to gambling or you’ve been betting for years, please know and understand the risks that come with it. Gambling is fun in the way that roller coasters are fun. Risk in a safe, controlled environment can be thrilling – as long as it’s safe and controlled. If you or a loved one is experiencing problem gambling behavior such as chasing losses, risking more than planned, or any other negative consequences related to gambling, seek help right away using any of the resources mentioned on this page.