PROBLEM GAMBLING
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, is defined as the uncontrollable urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. It can interfere with a person’s life, relationships and responsibilities.
Virtually anyone – men or women, young or old, and those from every religion, race and socio-economic background – is at risk for developing a gambling problem.
The good news is that help is available and it works! Click here for a list of treatment providers.
Get the Support You Need.
Confidential Financial Counseling.
We understand that problem gambling can strain finances. That’s why we’ve partnered with Lutheran Social Services counselors to provide a valuable, no-cost resource for those experiencing financial issues from gambling, whether you are the gambler or a family member: Financial Choice services through LSS Financial Counseling.
ARTICLES ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING
MNAPG Partners with LSS Financial Counseling
MNAPG partners with LSS Financial Counseling to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder regain financial stability. READ MORE
Upcoming Conference Opportunities — Save the Date
Upcoming conferences concerning MNAPG. READ MORE
NCPG Modernizing the National Problem Gambling Helpline
Major improvements to the National Problem Gambling Helpline are Underway. READ MORE
Behind Every Number, There’s a Story
In recognition of Problem Gambling Awareness Month, “Every Story Matters” highlights the impactful stories of Minnesotans who have faced and overcome gambling addiction. READ MORE
SELF-HELP PUBLICATIONS
View, download or order a hard copy below (These are meant to be supplemental guides, not a replacement for therapy)
- Your First Step to Change, 2nd Edition. A self-help toolkit of resources to help start the journey toward recovery from problem gambling behavior.
- Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers
BROCHURES
- Warning Signs of Problem Gambling (English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong and Vietnamese)
- What Families Can Do When a Loved One has a Gambling Problem (English and Spanish)
- What is Problem Gambling? (English, Somali and Spanish)
- Gambling When in Recovery (English and Spanish)
- Gaming Disorder (English and Spanish)
- Gamban—Block Access to Your Devices (English and Spanish)
- Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines
- Older Adults and Gambling
- Talking to Your Child About Gaming
(English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese) - Youth and Gambling—What Parents Need to Know
BROCHURES for professionals
- Be Part of the Solution (English and Spanish)
- Why Screen for Gambling Disorder? (English and Spanish)
Newsletter
- Northern Lights - MNAPG Quarterly Newsletter
Interested in receiving copies of our literature?
QUICK FACTS ON PROBLEM GAMBLING
Two voluntary, self-exclusion tools for online gambling sites.
Given that many gamblers may be moving online, MNAPG is offering individual subscriptions for an online self-exclusion tool called Gamban. This tool enables the gambler to block tens of thousands of online gambling sites on all devices. MNAPG has purchased one-year subscriptions that can block up to 15 devices in one household.
If you are interested, please email sstucker@mnapg.org and a link will be provided to set up the account.
BetBlocker helps you, or those you care about, ensure that they can manage their access to gambling in a safe and appropriate manner. Whether that means restricting altogether, or limiting during periods of vulnerability, BetBlocker can help. Visit https://www.betblocker.org to download this free app.
Gambling for longer periods of time than originally planned
Bragging about wins, but not talking about losses
Increased frequency of gambling activity
Denying there is a problem
Lying about how money is spent
Pressuring others for money when financial problems arise
Escaping to other excesses (alcohol, drugs, sleep, video games, etc.)
Understanding Problem Gambling
REDUCING THE STIGMA
Destigmatizing gambling addiction is a key to treating the problem.
We need to reshape how we think about gambling addiction. Here are small acts you can take on your own to help:
- Be compassionate – Show understanding, kindness and support to those suffering from addiction. Withhold judgment, and instead simply listen to their experiences and needs.
- Do your research – Education grows empathy. If you understand what those in the grip of addiction are going through, you can better understand how to help.
- Avoid labels – Words like “addict” or “degenerate” puts blame on the individual. We want to avoid blaming the victim and instead focus on the real problem: the behavior.
- Educate others – Even those with good intentions can cause harm through a lack of knowledge. Share what you learn to help broaden the understanding.
There is a wide range of gamblers — from those who gamble casually for entertainment to those who become addicted. Here are some common groupings of gamblers:
- Casual social: Gambles as part of a social outing with others and usually sets time and money limits.
- Professional: Makes a living from gambling, often including sports betting, card games or trading stocks. While they spend a lot of time researching and playing, they typically keep their play within their financial, emotional and social limits.
Coping with the negative consequences of gambling addiction can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of shame, guilt and hopelessness.
The National Council on Problem Gambling has reported that about 20% of those diagnosed with gambling disorder attempt suicide – a higher percentage than any other addictive disorder. The families of problem gamblers are also at a higher risk of suicide for many of the same reasons.
Here are some facts about gambling and suicide:
- Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are much more likely to occur with problem gamblers than with the general population.
- Early onset problem gambling is associated with increased risk of suicide.
- Gambling-related suicide attempts are more likely to be made by older people.
- The risk of suicide in people with gambling problems is increased by comorbid substance use and comorbid mental disorders.
- There is a greater risk of suicide among veteran/active military who have gambling disorders.
If you or someone you know is talking about suicide, call the national helpline number 988, or call the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-333-HOPE or text “HOPE” to 53342.
2019 Suicide Fact Sheet from the American Association of Suicidology
- WHAT DO WE MEAN BY GAMBLING HARMS?
- PROBLEM GAMBLING IS A COMMON CO-MORBIDITY
- What Happens to the Brain?
Gambling can lead to serious harms to health. These include financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide.
Problem gambling often does not occur in isolation. It often occurs when these conditions are present:
- depression,
- anxiety,
- alcohol and drug issues,
- bad health,
- domestic violence,
- homelessness,
- financial hardship,
- legal problems,
- unemployment, and
- relationship breakdown.
Gambling when you have a substance use disorder places you at risk for developing a gambling addiction. This can present an additional challenge in your overall recovery
Brain Connections was a project developed in 2015 by a group of Canadian researchers to help those with gambling addiction understand what was happening with their brain in addiction by using common metaphors. In addition to this animated video, there are accompanying handouts.
