What are problem gambling services?
Problem Gambling Services focus on prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, and awareness. Services are expanding throughout Maine, with more ways for those concerned about their gambling to find self-help resources, support groups, add themselves to the casino self-exclusion list, or seek treatment when they're ready.
Help for a problem with gambling
If it isn't fun anymore, contact 211 Maine anytime for confidential information and resources. Visit 211maine.org, call 211, or text your zip code to 898-211 to find help in your area.
Gambling Disorder is a behavioral addiction and sometimes people need help.
If you're concerned someone you know may have a gambling problem, be direct and specific. Let them know you care and are there to help, but don't try to counsel them yourself. Give the person information, not advice, and encourage them to call 2-1-1.
More places for Problem Gambling help:
- Recovery Community Centers: Provide support, education, and resources for people recovering from and affected by addiction. Each center offers a mix of peer support, recovery meetings, wellness activities, and more.
- Gambler's Anonymous: Locate a meeting near you.
- Gam-Anon: For loved ones who are impacted by problem gambling.
- Maine Prevention Store: Free print materials and resource downloads.
- Maine State Lottery: Values keeping play fun and responsible. Includes a self-screening to examine your own gambling habits.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Provides a starting point to determining if treatment is right for you or your family.
Responsible Gambling Tips
Try using these ideas to moderate your play.
- Think of money you lose as the cost of your entertainment.
- Consider money you win a bonus.
- Set a dollar limit and stick to it.
- Set a time limit and stick to it. Leave when you reach your limit, whether you're winning or losing.
- Understand you'll probably lose and accept the loss as part of the game.
- Don't borrow money to gamble.
- Don't let gambling interfere with or become a substitute for family, friends, or work.
- Don't chase losses. Chances are you'll lose even more.
- Don't use gambling to cope with emotional or physical pain.
Resources to Help Prevent Problem Gambling
- Trainings and Toolkits: an expanding library of self-paced modules on problem gambling risks and resources.
- Brochures and posters can be ordered or downloaded.
- AdCare's Problem Gambling Services provide details about self exclusion, problem gambling screening tools, and more.
- Provider Reimbursement -- for treatment of people with gambling disorder and their loved ones. Visit the Problem Gambling Services homepage to determine if you are eligible for the Gambling Addiction Treatment Reimbursement Network, and to apply.
Program contact:
Maine CDC Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program Phone: (207) 287-4627 E-mail: tsup.dhhs@maine.gov TTY: Maine relay 711
Prevention partners:
- Maine Council on Problem Gambling: A volunteer-driven non-profit working with organizations and individuals to reduce problem gambling and its impact on Maine's individuals, families, and communities. Advocates for problem gambling awareness, prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery in Maine.
- AdCare Educational Institute of Maine - Problem Gambling Services -- Oversees a network of self-exclusion sites, the Gambling Addiction Treatment Network, and provides trainings with continuing education credits on an array of public health topics.