Problem Gambling Awareness Month PGAM Toolkit National Council on Problem Gambling

Organizations that are not NCPG Members or State Affiliates are welcome and encouraged to apply. Membership status has no impact on the application scoring and evaluation process. Agility Grants Office Hours are 30-minute, one-on-one consultations to address any questions regarding grant eligibility, strategic priorities, application fields, or other grant-related questions.

• Encouraging loved ones to contact GAMBLER can be a crucial step in getting support and information to address the impact of a gambling problem on both the individual and the family.
• Support networks like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and group therapy sessions provide crucial emotional support and treatment plans for individuals suffering from gambling addiction.
• This awareness can help you or someone you care about maintain a healthy balance.

This helps you stay focused and motivated to reach your recovery goals, which can be instrumental in consistency and commitment to recovery. Fortunately, Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) are free to join and offer online and in-person meetings. They can be a powerful addition to your recovery plan, helping you stay strong and committed to recovery long-term. Explore the impact of gambling advertising on adolescents, with research highlighting how sports betting affects young people’s attitudes.

To that end, we ask that you submit a letter of support where partner organizations can outline their intent to work with you on the project should funding be awarded. If you choose to use your own, please reference the template to ensure your letter includes the desired information. Agility Grants help build much-needed momentum toward reducing the long-term personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling. NCPG is proud to support each Agility Grants recipient as they work within their communities to bring about positive social change. Recognizing the potential risks and understanding the signs of problem gambling is critical. This awareness can help you or someone you care about maintain a healthy balance.

Find support for gambling harm through a range of services including self-exclusion programs, counselling, and financial advice. A healthy diet promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which helps produce neurotransmitters that relieve stress. Proper nutrition also improves your mood and increases energy levels, preventing all factors that may cause a relapse of gambling addiction.

Join today to enhance your impact for your family, friends and community. In any given year, around 2 million adults in the U.S. meet severe gambling criteria, manifesting in situations where a person is willing to risk something valuable for the chance of gaining something else. Organizations who applied in the most recent previous round of Agility Grants are not eligible to apply for the current round of grants. Those organizations must wait until the next round of Agility Grants to reapply. Yes, as long as overhead and indirect program expenses do not make up more than 15% of your total grant expenditures.

The warning signs of a gambling addiction relapse are increased thoughts about gambling, isolation from support networks, justifying gambling, loss of interest in recovery activities, and mood swings and mental health. Support networks and therapy contribute to preventing relapse by providing ongoing emotional and practical support. Peer groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, offer a sense of accountability, while therapy sessions help individuals address underlying issues that fuel gambling behavior. Both are key in maintaining long-term recovery by reinforcing healthy habits and addressing challenges early on. Support groups for gambling addiction recovery offer a structured and communal approach to overcoming compulsive gambling. These groups provide a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, gain insights, and receive encouragement from others facing similar challenges.

Gambling addiction involves a compulsive urge to gamble despite negative consequences. It is characterized by the inability to control the behavior, leading to financial, emotional, and social harm. Individuals with gambling addiction often chase losses, gamble in secret, and prioritize gambling over other responsibilities, which perpetuates a harmful cycle. In a sample of 87 participants in a gambling addiction program, 38 of them relapsed. This resulted in a rate of relapse of 43.7%, according to a study by the National Library of Medicine.

Healthy Gambling Behaviors

The campaign’s impact is evident, with a reported 25% increase in calls to gambling helplines during the awareness month, highlighting the growing awareness and need for support services. Investments seek to catalyze prevention programs that adhere to the  SAMHSA prevention framework and create proof points that can be scaled to new communities and localities. Funds will support the launch of prevention gambling programs as well evaluation of program efficacy.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Toolkit

Regularly attending support group meetings, sticking to a recovery plan, and avoiding environments that promote gambling are essential steps for prevention. When you contact GAMBLER, your call/text/chat is typically answered by trained professionals who specialize in helping individuals with gambling-related issues. Because all members of Gamblers Anonymous share the same condition, meetings represent an opportunity to share experiences and challenges in an empathetic and non-judgemental environment. Listening to others talk about their journey through recovery can help compulsive gamblers feel less alone. Explore frequently asked questions to find valuable insights and resources related to problem gambling.

Please call, chat or text our confidential and toll-free helpline at: 1.888.532.3500

Our Gambling Assessment Manual provides guidance for determining the severity of an individual’s gambling disorder. Research shows that the earlier a person’s participation or even exposure to gambling is in childhood, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem later in life. The Gift Responsibly Campaign works to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery use.

Casinos also provide self-exclusion programs as part of their responsible leonbet gambling policies, enabling individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from participating in gambling activities. The catalysts extend beyond potential winnings or the social aspects of gambling. It’s about the chemical reactions in the brain, the dopamine release, and the activation of the brain’s reward system that contribute to addictive gambling behavior.

According to Statista, global online gambling revenue is expected to reach over US$107 billion in 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 1-3% of the global population suffers from gambling addiction, with only 0.14% of gamblers seeking informal and formal help. As the online gambling sector continues to expand globally, so does the need for robust gambling addiction prevention measures. With millions engaging in online gambling for entertainment, countries, governments, and communities are rallying to implement innovative strategies aimed at protecting and providing support for players. NCPG’s Agility Grant initiative offers funding to nonprofits, empowering them to implement and expand problem gambling prevention programs in their communities. Together, they highlight a comprehensive approach to addressing gambling issues statewide.

Gambling addiction is a complex disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. From its psychological underpinnings to its severe consequences, it’s a disorder that requires comprehensive understanding and intervention. With a range of support options available, from national helplines to local resources, support groups, and professional treatment options, recovery is indeed possible. Strategies to overcome gambling addiction, effective financial recovery measures, and community-level prevention initiatives all contribute to a holistic approach to tackling this pervasive issue.