Thinking About Changing your Gambling Behavior?

BBGS e-Screener

You might be concerned about your gambling behavior but not sure that you have a problem. A good place to begin is the free and confidential BBGS e-Screener.  This screen can help you decide whether to seek help for your gambling behavior.

Your First Step to Change

If you are still not sure that you want to seek help, check out another free and confidential online source, Your First Step to Change, a self-help toolkit designed to help if you are thinking of changing your gambling behavior. The toolkit provides information about disordered gambling, helps you evaluate your own gambling behavior, and recommends strategies for changing your behavior should you decide that is the best course. 

The questions in this toolkit will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and your identity will remain anonymous at all times.

Finding Help for a Problem

If you think that gambling is having a negative impact on your life or the life of a friend or family member and you would like to talk with someone, contact your school’s student health services. Your campus mental health staff is trained to address problems with alcohol, drugs and other risky behaviors. Excessive gambling has much in common with binge drinking and drug use. 

National Helpline 

Confidential gambling helplines are available if you need to speak to someone about a gambling problem, whether your own or that of someone you know.  In addition to providing support, the helpline can refer you to other resources such as treatment providers or Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

  • National 24-Hour Problem Gambling Helpline (confidential): 1-800-522-4700

Selected Resources on Gambling Disorders

The following organizations are helpful resources if you are dealing with gambling problems or if you just want to learn more. This is not a complete list of organizations, but a selection of helplines and websites that may be useful for you or someone you know.

Off-Campus Treatment Providers

If your campus does not provide help for gambling problems, below are some off-campus providers that can help identify treatment options.

  • State Problem Gambling Councils: Most states have a problem gambling council that can provide referrals to treatment providers. Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website to find the problem gambling council in your state. 
  • State Mental Health / Public Health Departments: Your state mental health or public health department can offer contact information for licensed health care providers. Some states provide subsidized treatment for gambling disorders. Visit the Mental Health Locator on the website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to find your state department of mental health or public health. 
  • Certified Treatment Providers:A variety of health care professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and social workers, especially those with specialization in alcohol and drugs, can provide help for gambling disorders. Some have specialized in gambling disorders through their certification program. The certifying organizations can help students find a gambling certified provider; visit the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders and the National Council on Problem Gambling.