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.

• International Center for Responsible Gaming
• National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services 
• Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, A Teaching Hospital of Harvard Medical School 
• Gam-Anon 
• Gamblers Anonymous
• National Council on Problem Gambling (use this site to locate the state affiliates) 
• The WAGER

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 NCPG 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 website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to find your state department of mental health or public health or locate a clinician.
• 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.