Gambling creates widespread familial and personal problems as well as sociological ones. For example, people who gamble sometimes spend their life savings or their spouse's hard-earned income. Gambling can be a bit of fun, but if it becomes compulsive or involves significant loss of money or property, it is considered an addiction and a mental health problem. After diagnosis, treatment. Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance 1935 West County Road B2, Suite 420 Roseville, MN 55113 Email: info@northstarproblemgambling.org Phone: 612-424-8595 Fax: 651-636-6757 MN STATE HELPLINE 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE). Gambling addiction age stats indicate that an earlier onset of gambling is related to increased severity of gambling addiction and overall worse mental health. Children and teens who play free online gambling games are more likely to gamble as adults; Approximately 1 in 25 teens have a gambling problem.

Problem Gambling Prevention promotes THREE important messages:

GAMBLING IS NOT A RISK-FREE ACTIVITY;

KNOW HOW TO KEEP THE 'PROBLEM' OUT OF GAMBLING; AND

HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH GAMBLING PROBLEMS AND PERSONS AFFECTED

PROBLEM GAMBING PREVENTION SERVICES provides information, education, training and technical assistance to state, local and community based agencies, organizations and consumer groups to raise awareness and increase capacity throughout the life span and across the continuum of care.

REGIONAL GAMBLING AWARENESS TEAMS
Your Regional Gambling Awareness Team brings together representatives from treatment, prevention, recovery, and your local communities to share resources, collect data, assess community awareness and readiness, support efforts to create gambling-informed programs and services, and support the mission of PGS in raising gambling awareness across the lifespan and the continuum of care. Click on the link below for your Team point of contact. The map and town listing will identify your Region.

Regional Map - Towns (pdf)
Point of Contact for Regional Gambling Awareness Teams (pdf)

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Ambassador Project (pdf)

The AAPI Ambassador Project is a collaborative project between DMHAS PGS, the former Commission on Equity and Opportunity, the North Central Regional Mental Health Board, and the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.

Congregation Assistance and Community Awareness Program
Information: Capacity building training in your community

Youth Peer Leadership and Gambling Awareness Media Project
Youth-produced gambling awareness media through PGS partner, Capital Regional Education Council (CREC)
https://sites.google.com/site/ctyouthandgamblingawareness/student_project_resources

Disordered Gambling Integration Initiative, DiGIn (pdf)

Upcoming Trainings/Certification Resources

For more information on Problem Gambling Services Prevention Services contact:

Kelly Leppard, Prevention Services Coordinator, Kelly.Leppard@ct.gov

Return to: Problem Gambling Services - Home Page

What is problem gambling?

Fact Sheets

Screening Tools

Self-Help Groups

Locate a Treatment Facility

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if You Need To Talk To Someone. Dial 911 if you have an Emergency.

What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. The essential features are increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, 'chasing' losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide.

What kind of people become problem gamblers?

Anyone who gambles can develop problems if they are not aware of the risks and do not gamble responsibly. When gambling behavior interferes with finances, relationships and the workplace, a serious problem already exists.

Problem Gambling Topics Articles

Can you be a problem gambler if you don't gamble every day?

The frequency of a person's gambling does not determine whether or not they have a gambling problem. Even though the problem gambler may only go on periodic gambling binges, the emotional and financial consequences will still be evident in the gambler's life, including the effects on the family.

Are problem gamblers usually addicted to other things too?

Problem Gambling Topics Crossword

It is generally accepted that people with one addiction are more at risk to develop another. Some problem gamblers also find they have a problem with alcohol or drugs. This does not, however, mean that if you have a gambling problem you are guaranteed to become addicted to other things. Some problem gamblers never experience any other addiction because no other substance or activity gives them the same feeling as the gambling does. There also appears to be evidence of family patterns regarding dependency as many problem gamblers report one or both parents had a drinking and or gambling problem.

Isn't problem gambling just a financial problem?

No. Problem gambling is an emotional problem that has financial consequences. If you pay all of a problem gambler's debts, the person will still be a problem gambler. The real problem is that they have an uncontrollable obsession with gambling.

Do casinos, lotteries and other types of gambling â€œcauseâ€ problem gambling?

The cause of a gambling problem is the individual's inability to control the gambling. This may be due in part to a person's genetic tendency to develop addiction, their ability to cope with normal life stress and even their social upbringing and moral attitudes about gambling. The casino or lottery provides the opportunity for the person to gamble. It does not, in and of itself, create the problem any more than a liquor store would create an alcoholic.

Problem Gambling Topics Definition

What types of gambling cause the most problem gambling?

Again, the cause of a gambling problem is the individualâ€™s inability to control the gambling. Therefore, any type of gambling can become problematic, but some types of gambling have different characteristics that may exacerbate gambling problems. While these factors are still poorly understood, anecdotal reports indicate that one risk factor may be a fast speed of play.

How much money do you have to lose before gambling becomes a problem?

Problem Gambling Topics Questions

The amount of money lost or won does not determine when gambling becomes a problem. Gambling becomes a problem when it causes a negative impact on any area of the individual's life.

Problem Gambling Research Topics

Source: National Council on Problem Gambling