Jul 1, 2026 | RESOURCES
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.
Jul 1, 2026 | RESOURCES
When the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG) partnered with LSS Financial Counseling in mid-2024, the goal was to connect individuals affected by problem gambling with practical, compassionate financial guidance. Less than two years in, the program is steadily growing and making a meaningful difference.
60 clients in 2025, $13,000 in credit card debt repaid, one client closed on a home within seven months
In the fourth quarter of 2024, LSS Financial Counseling worked with four MNAPG-referred clients. That number quickly rose to 60 clients for 2025 and, through early May of 2026, 28 individuals have already accessed services — suggesting that awareness and utilization of the program are expanding.
Referrals come from a variety of sources, including the MNAPG website, counselors and community organizations. The most common referrals are through word of mouth. Family members and friends, often witnessing the financial and emotional toll of gambling, are helping connect loved ones to support.
LSS Financial Counseling Individualized Approach:
LSS Financial Counseling employs an individualized approach that starts with a holistic financial review, taking time to understand what brought the person in, what concerns feel most urgent and what goals clients hope to achieve. From there, counselors may pull credit reports, organize debts and review monthly expenses to get a clear picture of the situation.
For many, credit card debt is a central challenge. In those cases, LSS may recommend a debt management plan, which consolidates multiple payments into a single monthly due date and often reduces interest rates. This structure can be especially helpful for individuals in recovery, offering both simplicity and accountability.
Other clients arrive overwhelmed, sometimes with unopened bills and collection notices. In these situations, just opening and organizing mail can be a critical first step. For those whose financial situation may not be resolved through repayment alone, counselors can also provide information about options such as bankruptcy, helping clients make informed decisions without judgment.
That emphasis on dignity and understanding is central to the program’s impact. According to client satisfaction surveys, the most common feedback is that individuals say they do not feel judged. This is particularly important, because shame and fear often prevent people from seeking help. Creating a safe, respectful environment allows clients to move forward.
LSS has a team of financial counselors who have completed specialized training through MNAPG and are knowledgeable about gambling-related challenges. When gambling is identified as a factor — either at intake or later — clients are connected with these counselors. And to better meet the needs of a diverse community, LSS recently added a Spanish-speaking, gambling-knowledgeable counselor.
While the program is still relatively new, early outcomes are promising. Six MNAPG clients have enrolled in debt management plans since the partnership began. Together, participants have already repaid approximately $13,000 in credit card debt.
Individual stories further demonstrate the impact. One client, after months of financial disarray and ongoing recovery work, was able to regain stability and close on a home within seven months — while remaining free from gambling during that time.
As the partnership grows, LSS Financial Counseling is proving to be a vital complement to treatment and recovery services. By addressing the financial consequences of problem gambling with empathy and structure, the program is helping individuals not only regain control of their finances but rebuild confidence in their future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MNAPG-LSS Financial Counseling partnership?
It is a partnership between MNAPG and LSS Financial Counseling designed to connect individuals affected by problem gambling with specialized, compassionate financial guidance and debt management services.
Can financial counseling help with gambling debt?
Yes. Specialized financial counselors can help organize debts, recommend debt management plans to consolidate payments and reduce interest rates, and explore options like bankruptcy for those with gambling-related debt.
Do LSS financial counselors understand problem gambling?
Yes. LSS has a team of financial counselors who have completed specialized training through MNAPG to ensure they are knowledgeable about gambling-related challenges and can offer support without judgment.
Apr 7, 2026 | PROBLEM GAMBLING, RESOURCES
Sweepstakes casinos have grown rapidly in recent years, offering online slot machines, poker and other casino-style games without describing themselves as traditional gambling. While they are often marketed as “free-to-play entertainment,” their structure has raised questions among regulators, public health professionals and policymakers.
How sweepstakes casinos work
At first glance, sweepstakes casinos look similar to real-money online casinos. Players sign up, choose games and spin reels or play table games. The key difference is the use of a dual-currency system.
Most platforms offer two types of virtual coins:
- Gold Coins – used only for entertainment play and have no cash value
- Sweeps Coins – used for promotional games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes
Players typically receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus when they purchase Gold Coin packages. They may also obtain Sweeps Coins through free methods such as daily login bonuses, promotions or mail-in requests (often called an Alternate Method of Entry). Because there is always a free way to participate, operators argue that no purchase is required.
This structure is designed to avoid the legal definition of gambling, which generally requires three elements: prize, chance and consideration (payment). By offering a free entry option, sweepstakes casinos attempt to remove the “consideration” element.
Why many view them as gambling
Despite the legal framing, critics argue that sweepstakes casinos function much like traditional gambling for these reasons:
- Games rely on chance and offer real-world prizes.
- Players often purchase virtual currency in practice, even if technically optional.
- The purchase of Gold Coins frequently includes bonus Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for cash, creating a financial incentive to spend.
Regulators have described the two-currency model as a way to disguise paid gambling activity. In Minnesota, officials noted that consumers who appear to be buying entertainment currency are effectively purchasing access to prize-eligible play.
Research and surveys also indicate that many users participate with the intention of winning money, reinforcing concerns that the experience mirrors gambling behavior.
Legal and regulatory concerns in Minnesota
Minnesota has taken a particularly strong stance. In 2025, the Attorney General ordered multiple sweepstakes casino operators to stop offering services in the state, stating that such platforms may violate gambling and consumer protection laws.
State officials emphasized several risks, claiming:
- These sites operate outside Minnesota’s regulated gambling system
- Most are based out of state or overseas, limiting oversight
- Players lack protections such as fair-play audits, reliable payouts or dispute resolution
Because the activity is unregulated, it also generates no state tax revenue and does not contribute to programs typically funded by legal gambling, such as public services or problem gambling prevention.
Why the issue matters
Sweepstakes casinos exist in a legal gray area nationwide, but Minnesota’s actions reflect growing concern. When casino-style gambling operates outside regulatory frameworks, states lose both consumer safeguards and public revenue, while residents face potential financial and behavioral risks.
For policymakers and prevention professionals, sweepstakes casinos highlight a broader challenge: as gambling-like products evolve online, the line between entertainment and wagering becomes increasingly blurred. Clear regulation, consumer education and ongoing monitoring will be critical to ensure that emerging gaming models do not bypass the protections and public benefits that accompany legal, regulated gambling.
Apr 7, 2026 | PROBLEM GAMBLING, RESOURCES, YOUTH GAMBLING
As legalized sports betting and digital wagering continue to expand, gambling has become a routine part of life for many young adults. For colleges and universities, this shift raises an important question: how can campuses help students make informed choices and avoid gambling-related harm?
Dr. Michelle L. Malkin, assistant professor at East Carolina University, is working to answer that question through The Betting Blueprint, a wellness-oriented curriculum designed specifically for students ages 18–24. Her approach combines screening, education, financial wellness and early intervention to reduce risk and support healthier decision-making.
Start with awareness and screening
One of the key messages from Dr. Malkin’s work is that screening should be ongoing, not limited to a single awareness campaign. While March’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month provides an important opportunity for outreach, students engage in gambling year-round. Ideally, campuses host multiple screening efforts, including events early in the fall semester and again in March when March Madness increases betting activity.
Peer-led outreach has proven especially effective. Students are more likely to participate when encouraged by their peers and when screening is quick and accessible, such as through a QR code completed on a phone. Brief screening tools that use clear language like “betting and/or gambling” help identify students who may be experiencing harm and connect them with resources before problems escalate.
Redefining what gambling looks like
The curriculum challenges students’ assumptions about gambling, as many young adults associate gambling only with casinos or money-based games. In reality, gambling includes any activity involving something of value and an element of chance.
Today’s gambling landscape includes, but is not limited to, sports wagering, fantasy sports, prediction markets, loot boxes, esports, cryptocurrency speculation, in-play betting and social gaming features. By broadening students’ understanding, the curriculum helps them recognize behaviors they might not otherwise identify as gambling.
The curriculum also explores why some individuals struggle to gamble responsibly. For certain people, brain responses to rewards can lead to chasing losses, overconfidence or difficulty stopping. Students learn to recognize warning signs such as borrowing money, hiding gambling or continuing despite negative consequences.
Importantly, the focus is not prohibition. Instead, the curriculum promotes lower-risk strategies for those who choose to gamble: setting time and money limits, avoiding gambling when stressed or emotional, understanding the odds and using responsible gambling tools available on many platforms. Students also learn that gambling harms extend beyond the individual, affecting roommates, partners, family members and others.
Financial wellness at the center
Another important aspect of The Betting Blueprint is connecting gambling decisions to financial health. Many students have limited experience managing money, making them particularly vulnerable to overspending on entertainment, including betting.
Through budgeting exercises and real-life scenarios, students explore what financial wellness means and how to give every dollar a purpose. They learn to identify priorities, track income and expenses, and distinguish between appropriate entertainment spending and high-risk funding sources such as borrowed money, financial aid or credit card debt.
A key point is that gambling winnings should never be treated as income. Activities encourage students to track results over time, understand variability and consider how unexpected wins or loses affect long-term goals. The emphasis is on building habits that support stability and reduce financial stress.
Students as problem solvers
A distinctive feature of the curriculum is its interactive design. Small-group activities ask students to respond to common beliefs, such as “I can win back my losses” or “My gambling is under control.” By researching data and developing peer-focused messages, students generate their own solutions rather than being lectured.
This collaborative approach increases engagement and helps shift campus norms around gambling.
Meeting Students at a Critical Time
College campuses provide a unique environment to reach emerging adults during a formative period. Dr. Malkin’s work highlights the importance of integrating gambling awareness into broader wellness efforts, including mental health, substance use prevention and financial education.
As gambling opportunities continue to grow, so does the need for practical, student-centered prevention. With ongoing screening, peer engagement and a focus on financial and personal well-being, The Betting Blueprint offers campuses a proactive way to help students make informed choices and avoid harm—long before problems take hold.
The information in this article was taken from Dr. Malkin’s presentation at the MNAPG conference last November. For more information about the curriculum, please contact Dr. Malkin at malkinm20@ecu.edu.
Dec 17, 2025 | HEALTHY PLAY, HELP, PROBLEM GAMBLING, RESOURCES, SPORTS BETTING
MNAPG posed questions to Lori Kalani, DraftKings' chief responsible gambling officer to learn more about DraftKings’ problem gambling efforts. Below are her responses:
MNAPG: We understand that My Budget Builder and My Stat Sheet are new responsible gaming (RG) tools for DraftKings. Can you share more about them?
LK: My Budget Builder guides customers through a simple process to set personalized entertainment budgets, reminders and limits. My Stat Sheet provides customers with a clear personalized snapshot of their play activity, including time spent, deposits, withdrawals, wagers and outcomes. Both are designed to help customers make informed decisions and play responsibly.
MNAPG: What information is included with alerts and does anything happen if a customer exceeds the limits they set?
LK: We proactively encourage every player to set budgets for their deposit amounts, play time and size of bets, and we provide access to a range of tools and resources with which they can engage. Customers receive reminders when they approach the limits they’ve set. If a limit is reached, the platform enforces it automatically—for example, preventing additional deposits or gameplay until the current limit resets. Once a limit is set, it cannot be increased or cancelled until the timeframe for the limit has ended. More restrictive limits can be added at any time.
MNAPG: How many customers are currently using some of DraftKings’ responsible gaming tools and resources?
LK: Since launching our Responsible Gaming Center in 2024—a centralized hub for all the DraftKings RG tools and resources available at rg.draftkings.com—more than 5.6 million customers have visited. Approximately 3.5 million unique customers have used My Stat Sheet since the industry-first tool was introduced early last year. This June, we launched our newest tool, My Budget Builder, and we expect usage to increase throughout the NFL season.
MNAPG: How do you help make customers aware that these tools and resources exist?
LK: We highlight responsible gaming tools and resources throughout the customer journey. Some examples include promoting RG tools and resources at onboarding, in-app messaging, emails and various campaigns throughout the year. Within the app and online, an RG shield icon appears at the top of the screen, making the DraftKings Responsible Gaming Center just one click away so that tools and resources are seamlessly available as part of the product experience. To mark this year’s Responsible Gaming Education Month, we launched an NFL sweepstakes that incentivizes customers who use tools like My Budget Builder and My Stat Sheet with the chance to win weekly NFL ticket prizes, culminating in a grand prize trip to the Super Bowl.
MNAPG: Do you work with any external organizations or researchers to improve your responsible gaming efforts?
LK: Yes. We work with organizations such as the Cambridge Health Alliance, BetBlocker, Evive, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) and the International Center for Responsible Gaming. Our work with Cambridge Health Alliance includes expanding research on responsible gaming and facilitating new opportunities to educate customers about the tools and resources that are available to help them play responsibly. We also provide funding to the National Council on Problem Gambling. DraftKings’ State Council Funding (SCF) program provides annual donations to 35 state problem gaming councils across the country to support their work. Since announcing the SCF program in 2022, we have donated millions of dollars, including to the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling. (Editor’s note: MNAPG used the funds provided by DraftKings to develop a pilot casino employee training program that’s currently being tested at Canterbury.)
MNAPG: Do you proactively identify customers who may be having challenges? If so, how is this done?
LK: We proactively encourage every player to set budgets for their deposit amounts, play time and size of bets, and we provide access to a range of tools and resources with which they can engage. We use modeling techniques and advanced technology, including machine learning, to help identify when someone may no longer be playing for fun, which is then reviewed by our Responsible Gaming team for further analysis.
MNAPG: Does DraftKings work with the other members of the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) to ensure that if one of your customers is given a time out or excluded that it is active across all the other platforms?
LK: Today, most jurisdictions where we operate maintain shared exclusion databases, which are distributed to all licensed operators. In some states, operators also contribute their own self-exclusion data. While there isn’t yet an industry-wide system among operators, through ROGA we have announced the creation of a centralized exclusion clearinghouse. The first phase will introduce a national shared self-exclusion list so that when a player self-excludes with one member operator, that exclusion will also extend across all ROGA member platforms.
MNAPG: How do you see your RG tools and resources evolving over the next 2–3 years?
LK: In the next few years, we expect RG tools and resources to further evolve through AI and personalization. Smarter technology will allow these tools and resources to adapt dynamically, making them even more intuitive and seamless to the customer.
MNAPG: How do you measure success in responsible gaming initiatives?
LK: We consider, among other things, adoption rates, customer feedback and independent evidence-based research as we continue to enhance our responsible gaming tools and resources. Success means responsible play continues to be embedded in the DraftKings experience for every customer.
