RESOURCES

MINNESOTA PROBLEM GAMBLING STATUTES

• Compulsive Gambling Statute
• Statute 297E.02 2018 Charitable Gambling Tax Imposed
• History of Charitable Gambling in Minnesota, 2015
• Gambling and Public Health A Guide for Policymakers, 2017

TESTIMONY

Testimony from the Minnesota Sports Waging SF 1894, Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee, March 3, 2020:

• Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Legislative Director, National Council on Problem Gambling
• Susan Sheridan Tucker, Executive Director, Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling

MNAPG

• MNAPG legislative handout 2021
• Request to Gov. Walz for problem gambling telehealth coverage during COVID 3.24.20

NCPG INTIATIVES

• NCPG Statement on Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act, May 2019
• NCPG Statement on Loot Boxes to FCC, August 2019
• NCPG Testimony to FCC on Loot Boxes, August 2019
• Responsible Gaming Principles for Sports Gambling Legislation, August 2018
• Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Guidelines 2015
• NCPG Internet Responsible Gambling Standards 2012

FEDERAL INITITIAVES

• The Gambling Addiction Prevention Act (GAP)

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COMMUNITY SPEAKER’S NETWORK

Community outreach is an important part of our mission. Through our community speaker’s network, an approved speaker from MNAPG presents an introduction to problem gambling to community groups. These visits can be arranged anywhere in Minnesota and are free of charge. The purpose is to broaden the awareness of gambling disorder and who it affects, initiate conversations about prevention, highlight the importance of healthy play and making the public aware of available treatment assessments and options available at little or no cost.

To learn more and arrange a visit to your program, email Susan Sheridan Tucker, executive director of Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, or call (612) 424-8595.

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES, HEALTH CARE FAIRS and COLLEGE RESOURCE FAIRS

MNAPG regularly attends a variety of annual conferences around the state of Minnesota to create awareness about problem gambling and available resources to health care and other professionals. MNAPG welcomes the opportunity to present at conferences on a variety of topics relating to our advocacy work.

MNAPG ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Most years, MNAPG hosts an in-person conference at which national speakers provide the latest information for treatment providers, advocates, legislators, educators and the gaming industry. CEUs are available for LADCs, social workers, psychologists and those working in the prevention field.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MONTHLY WEBINARS

Joint members of MNAPG and the National Council of Problem Gambling receive access to NCPG’s regular webinars at no cost. Significant discounts to the national conference are also available.

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GENERAL PROBLEM GAMBLING RESOURCES

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) 
• List of Minnesota Approved Problem Gambling Providers
• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB)

SUICIDE

• Suicide Fact Sheet 2018, American Association of Suicidology
• Twenty Percent of Gambler’s attempt Suicide: Why Isn’t this taken more seriously?
• Problem Gambling & Suicidal Behavior from A Law Enforcement View, FBI, 13.2017

HEALTHCARE

• SCREENING TOOLKIT
• Guide to Core Competencies for Treating Problem Gambling, Oregon Health Authority
• How the Brain Gets Addicted to Gambling, Scientific America November 2013
• How Gambling Distorts the Brain, MNAPG published in The Phoenix July/August 2019
• Gambling Disorder Rarely Travels Alone
• Be Part of the Solution, MNAPG Brochure 2017
• Brain Connections– a layperson’s explanation of gambling disorder effects on the brain, 2019

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Unlike other addictions, gambling disorder can have a direct impact on a gambler’s family, without them even recognizing that their loved one is struggling with an addiction. Often, it isn’t until a financial red flag arises, such as bounced checks, debt collection agencies, bank notices regarding failed mortgage payments, etc. that will alert the family that something is quite wrong. Money is how a gambler continues their addiction and the very thing they chase in order to make things “right.” As soon as it’s apparent that there is a problem, consulting a certified financial advisor is recommended. This enables a neutral third party to recommend and help implement the strategies to preserve the family’s assets.

• Payment Processors Have A Role in Reducing Gambling Harms, NCPG 2.02.2020

RESOURCES FOR DEBT MANAGEMENT

Gamblers seeking a debt management plan should work through a nonprofit member agency of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. There are three such credit counseling centers in Minnesota:

• LSS Financial Counseling (1-888-577-2227)
• The Village Financial Resource Center(1-800-627-8220)
• Family Means (1-800-780-2890)

TRUE LINK

TrueLink is a debit card that allows you or a family member to control exactly how much money can be spent, and on exactly what items or activities it can be spent.

ONLINE GAMBLING BLOCKING APP

Working a recovery program is hard and challenging. To help assist those who may feel tempted to gamble online or visit a casino or card room, there are a few tools that may be helpful. None are foolproof, but if one is committed to recovery, these tools may help.

GAMBAN – a voluntary, self-exclusion tool for online gambling sites.

Given that many gamblers may be moving online, especially during COVID-19 times, 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.

VOLUNTARY SELF-EXCLUSION FROM LAND-BASED CASINOS and CARDROOMS

In Minnesota, anyone interested in self-exclusion for a fixed time period (six months, one year, three years, lifetime, etc.) from either a casino or card room may do so by signing a voluntary agreement with each separate facility. By signing this contract, they are agreeing not to enter the premises for a specified time and the casino/card room will cease to send promotional materials to their mailing address. If one should break the agreement during the specified time, the operator has the right to charge them with trespassing and/or if they should win a jackpot of $1,200 or more, they will not receive it.

How to Talk About Money, The Money Advice Service, United Kingdom publication. pdf
Personal Financial Strategies of The Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers, NCPG, 2000 pdf
Problem Gamblers and their Finances: A Guide for Treatment Professionals, NCPG 2000 pdf

LEGAL

• Attorney’s Guide to Gambling Addiction, 2017 MNAPG Brochure
• Never Enough, A Lawyer’s Story (Link to Michael Burke’s Story) Presentation at Holland hospital, Holland, MI
• Conversations with Jeff Part 1, 2017 
• Conversations with Jeff Part 2, 2017
• Exploring Gambling Addiction and the Path to Recovery. Legal Talk Network November 2019.
• Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) at 866-525-6466 or mnlcl.org.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Gambling and Health in the Workplace, an NCRG publication 2012 pdf

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If you have started on your road to recovery, congratulations. It takes courage, conviction, lots of support and grace for an individual to choose recovery. It’s not an easy path, but one that when achieved has many benefits.

We wish you the best in your journey and hope you are taking advantage of the resources available to Minnesotans for free treatment, attending Gambler’s Anonymous or using ways to keep yourself from gambling, such as Gamban.

A full list of community resources can be found in the community tab.

RISKS TO THOSE IN RECOVERY

Gambling addiction is a high risk for those who have or are struggling with other addictions, such as alcohol or drugs. While some individuals do not have a “co-occurring” disorder with a gambling addiction, many do. It’s important to be aware of the correlation.

Those experiencing multiple disorders require different approaches to treatment and recovery. To maximize treatment effectiveness, it’s important for individuals to acknowledge their gambling disorder and any other mental health challenges affecting them.

RECOVERY STORIES

MNAPG has had the privilege of speaking with and sharing numerous recovery stories. Many of them are available to you throughout the website.

“FACES OF RECOVERY” The Phoenix Spirit, March/April 2020.

BECOME PART OF MNAPG

Becoming involved in the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling is a good way for those in recovery to stay abreast of developments with gambling addiction. You may sign up for our quarterly newsletter and become a member.

There is no fee to join the Alliance and your personal information will only be used to send you newsletters and information pertaining to community presentations through MNAPG.

We also seek individuals who are long in their recovery and would be interested in helping us in our advocacy work. It can be helpful for legislators to hear from an individual with lived experience. If that is of interest, please contact Susan Sheridan Tucker, sstucker@mnapg.org.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

GAMBLER’S ANONYMOUS (GA)  www.minnesotaga.com, 
1-855-222-5542 (1-855-2CALLGA)

GAM-ANON  The toll-free helpline is 1-888-435-7166 (1-888-HELP1MN).

SMART RECOVERY440-951-5357

ONLINE RESOURCES

The National Council on Problem Gambling is the nation’s advocate for problem gambling. Its website has extensive information on the topic of problem gambling.

No Judgement is a website that provides details of problem gambling information and treatment in Minnesota.

College Gambling is a site that was developed by the International Center for Responsible Gaming to help campus administrators, campus health professionals, students and parents address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

www.facebook.com/NoJudgment – This is a Facebook page for adults.

www.facebook.com/Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gamblingpg

www.linkedin.com/Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gamblingpg

www.instagram.com/Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gamblingpg

ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO ASSIST IN RECOVERY

Working your recovery program is hard work. To help assist those who may feel tempted to gamble online or visit a casino or card room, there are a few tools that some have found helpful. None are foolproof, but if you are committed to your recovery, these tools may be of use.

GAMBAN – a voluntary, self-exclusion tool for online gambling sites.

In recognition that many gamblers may be moving to online gambling, especially during COVID-19 times, 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 for all their devices. MNAPG has purchased subscriptions, effective for one year and 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.

VOLUNTARY SELF-EXCLUSION FROM LAND-BASED CASINOS and CARDROOMS

In Minnesota, anyone interested in self-exclusion for a fixed time (6 months, one year, three years or a lifetime) from either a casino or card room may do so by signing a voluntary agreement with each separate facility. By signing this contract, you are agreeing not to enter the premises for a specified time and the casino/card room will cease to provide promotional materials to your mailing address. If you should break the agreement during the specified time, the operator has the right to charge you with trespassing and/or if you should win a jackpot of $1,200 or more, you will not receive it.

TRUE LINK

TrueLink is a debit card that allows you or a family member to control exactly how much money can be spent, and on exactly what items or activities it can be spent.

Back to the tab