FIND HELP

While gambling disorder can be as challenging as any addiction to overcome, treatment is available — and it works. Help is available for both problem gamblers as well as concerned others. This section details some helpful resources, including treatments, support groups and other actions that gamblers or concerned others can take.

SELF ASSESSMENT

Are you concerned that your gambling is more a problem behavior rather than a fun form of entertainment? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may want to talk with someone or review some of the resources we’ve provided on our site. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about checking in with yourself to see if your current gambling behavior may be creating more risk than you can afford to take.

• During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling?
• During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
• During the past 12 months, did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends or welfare?

There are many resources available for individuals with gambling problems and their families. Whether it’s Gambler’s Anonymous or a treatment counselor, each are available to meet you where you are without judgment. Treatment for gambling addiction works.

Minnesota CERTIFIED PROBLEM GAMBLER COUNSELORS

The Minnesota Problem Gambling Treatment Program is managed by the state’s Department of Human Services. Treatment is available at no cost if you have no insurance, partial insurance or your insurance policy won’t cover gambling treatment, regardless of income level. Call 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE). Due to COVID 19, telehealth assessments and counseling are also available until at least June 2021.

Minnesota has one residential problem gambling treatment center – Vanguard Center for Gambling Recovery at Project Turnabout in Granite Falls. This program is also covered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, regardless of your income level or insurance status.

TREATMENT RESOURCES

Treatment is available and funded by the state for Minnesotans with gambling problems. A phone call to the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline could change someone’s life. 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE). Available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the helpline offers free, confidential help from counselors trained in crisis intervention. Anyone can call the helpline about their own gambling or their concern for someone else. Below is a list of Minnesota state-approved compulsive gambling providers.

finding help

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

• Whether, When, How Much? 
• Gambling Among Those in Recovery 
• Be Part of the Solution 
• Attorneys Guide to Gambling Addiction 
• Can You Pick Out the Problem Gambler? – Charitable Gambling Staff