For many people struggling with gambling-related harm, the financial damage can feel overwhelming. Debt piles up, relationships become strained and the pressure to “win it back” can keep the cycle going. That’s where GamFin is working to make a difference.
GamFin, which now operates in 19 states including Minnesota, provides specialized financial counseling and recovery support designed specifically for people affected by gambling problems. According to Jim Huh, GamFin’s senior vice president of Sales and Customer Success, the organization fills a gap that traditional financial counseling often cannot address.
“Traditional financial counseling is about your relationship with money,” Huh said. “But gambling creates unique challenges that often contradict traditional strategies.”
Since launching its expanded services in late 2024, GamFin has helped approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people nationwide and is currently providing around 300 counseling sessions each month. In Minnesota, the organization has already served about 60 clients, averaging 3.6 appointments per person.
Unlike standard financial counseling, GamFin’s work focuses heavily on recovery and relapse prevention. Huh explained that some common financial decisions — such as borrowing from a 401(k), filing bankruptcy too quickly or receiving repeated family bailouts — can actually increase vulnerability during the first year of recovery.
Instead, GamFin helps clients create realistic repayment plans while building “guardrails” to reduce risky financial behavior. One tool the organization uses is TruLink, a customizable debit card that can block purchases such as lottery tickets, gambling transactions or cash withdrawals. Families can also receive alerts and monitoring support.
The counseling process often begins by identifying which debts are causing the most emotional stress.
“Sometimes it’s not the credit card company keeping someone up at night,” Huh said. “Sometimes it’s Uncle Bob.”
GamFin counselors work with clients to organize repayment plans they can present to family members or creditors, helping restore trust and reduce conflict.
Beyond the financial strategies, Huh said one of the most important outcomes is helping people regain hope.
“It’s great to see people walk away saying, ‘I finally have hope,’ instead of feeling like they just need one big win to fix everything,” he said.
GamFin also works with affected family members, who make up roughly one-third of its clients. Huh noted that gambling problems rarely impact just one person.
“We know there are six to nine affected others for every one person with a gambling problem,” he said.
Many of the calls GamFin receives come from parents worried about adult children struggling with gambling. Huh said the emotional toll can be significant, affecting relationships, careers and future plans.
Looking ahead, GamFin is preparing to launch a new HIPAA-compliant financial transparency app called Guardian, designed to help clients, families and treatment providers monitor financial behaviors between counseling sessions. The app is expected to launch this summer.
Minnesota residents can self-refer to GamFin services, though Huh said awareness remains one of the biggest challenges.
“If we can provide hope, that’s a big thing,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GamFin?
GamFin is an organization operating in 19 states that provides specialized financial counseling and recovery support designed specifically for individuals affected by gambling problems and their families.
How does GamFin differ from traditional financial counseling?
Unlike traditional financial counseling, GamFin focuses heavily on recovery and relapse prevention, addressing the unique challenges of gambling debt and avoiding strategies — like borrowing from a 401(k) or filing bankruptcy too quickly — that might increase vulnerability during early recovery.
What is the TruLink debit card?
TruLink is a customizable debit card used by GamFin that can block purchases such as lottery tickets, gambling transactions, or cash withdrawals to help build “guardrails” against risky financial behavior during recovery.