Observed each March, Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) is a nationwide grassroots campaign that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling while promoting prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
This year’s theme, “Seeking Understanding,” encourages deeper reflection on this issue and promotes compassionate, accessible, and stigma-free support for those affected by gambling-related harm. By fostering greater awareness and understanding, we can challenge these misconceptions, reduce stigma, and offer support to those who need it.
Throughout the month, Zepf Center’s Gambling Treatment team will host events, participate in outreach efforts, and launch new social media campaigns to inform the public about the impact of gambling addiction and available treatment resources. These PGAM activities will also incorporate the team’s current outreach efforts with local universities and sports teams, including the Toledo Walleye and University of Toledo Athletics.
“March gives us the opportunity to connect with our community and educate them about problem gambling, which is often a hidden addiction,” said Megan Poliquin, Manager of Gambling Treatment & Prevention. “While we do offer various treatment options, we are not anti-gambling—we are committed to promoting responsible gambling and ensuring individuals know their options for support and treatment if gambling becomes a concern."
In the clinical sense, problem gambling is defined as gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and careers. Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or financial status. While gambling is a form of entertainment for many, for others it can become an uncontrolled habit leading to financial struggles, mental health issues, and strained relationships.
Although no substance is ingested, someone with a gambling problem gets the same effect from gambling as one might get from taking a drug or drinking alcohol. Just as a person builds tolerance to drugs or alcohol, a person with unhealthy gambling habits finds that it takes more and more of the gambling experience to achieve the same emotional effect as before. This increases the urge to gamble and makes it harder to resist.
Nationally, approximately 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, with an additional 5-8 million individuals experiencing mild to moderate gambling problems. In Ohio, 19.8 percent of adult Ohioans can be categorized as low-risk, moderate-risk, or problem gamblers according to a 2022 survey.
While gambling itself is not inherently negative, the increased opportunities, relentless advertising, and the perceived convenience of online gambling may bring added consequences and risks to those involved. The wide reach of gambling-related content, combined with increased social acceptance, creates a perfect storm for individuals who may be at a higher risk for gambling disorder.
Because gambling addictions can often go unnoticed by family and friends, it is important to recognize some common red flags and early warning signs. These include…
- Borrowing money from friends or family for gambling
- Becoming restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut back on your gambling
- Lying about how much time or money is spent on gambling
- Hiding time spent gambling, or hiding bills and unpaid debts
- Spending a lot of time gambling, thinking about, or planning to gamble
- Exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
For Ohioans, treatment options are now even more accessible with free in-person or telehealth options for individuals, groups, and family members. The Gambling Treatment Program at Zepf Center provides in-person or telehealth individual and group treatment for Ohio residents who have identified themselves as having a problem with gambling or sports betting. Our team will also meet with friends or family members concerned about a loved one who they suspect may have a problem with gambling or sports betting. Treatment is offered at no cost to Ohio residents.
“We’ve witnessed a cultural shift toward sports betting and mobile gambling over the past years and we’re seeing that in our client population,” said Zepf Center CEO Deb Flores. “While we can’t control how and when people choose to gamble, it’s our mission to educate the public about responsible gambling and give them the resources to seek treatment if and when it feels right for them.”
To learn more about Zepf Center’s Problem Gambling Treatment program, visit www.zepfcenter.org/problem-gambling/.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of gambling addiction, call the Gambling Treatment Program directly at 419.841.7701 ext. 6189 or email [email protected].