What is Problem Gambling?

Every gambling addiction is different. For most people, gambling is entertainment. They know they will likely lose and only bet what they can afford. Problem gamblers, however, cannot control their gambling and will continue to gamble no matter their losses.

Problem gambling is any type of gambling that disrupts other areas of your life, or the lives of the people around you. This includes work or school, relationships with family or friends, or your own physical and mental health. Problem gamblers often need to bet more and more to feel the same thrill, and continue to gamble despite serious negative consequences.

Where to Get Help

Let Maryhaven help you (for FREE) by calling 614-445-8131 (9:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday) or Ohio’s 24-hour Gambling Helpline 1-800-589-9966. Thanks to funding from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Service and the ADAMH Board of Franklin County, Maryhaven’s Gambling Intervention Program offers counseling and prevention services for problem gamblers and their families throughout Central Ohio. We can create a plan just for you:

• Individual and Family Counseling
• Prevention Talks for Teens and Young Adults
• Intervention and Screening to Know if You’re an Addict

Our team can also offer referrals to additional services (such as financial help) and support groups (like GA & GamAnon).

Gambling Impacts Everyone

Research shows that a majority of young people have gambled before their 18th birthday, and that children may be more likely to develop problems related to gambling than adults. In fact, problem gambling rates among teens and young adults in Ohio are two-to-four times that of adults.

Research also suggests that lonely, depressed individuals are at higher risk of developing a gambling problem, as are those already addicted to alcohol or drugs. A 2017 statewide survey by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services estimated that as many as 900,000 Ohioans could face a gambling problem. Those considered at-risk for a gambling disorder nearly doubled from 5.7% five years ago to 10.3% today.