Responsible Gambling and Support Services in Arizona

Responsible gambling represents a combined effort of various state and federal organizations, as well as online sportsbook operators, to combat problem gambling.

This page outlines key issues that facilitate gambling, how to seek help, and how to identify if you’re facing a gambling problem.

Understanding Problem Gambling in Arizona

Problem gambling is also known as compulsive gambling or a person having a gambling disorder. It is officially recognized as a behavioral health condition, which is attributed to an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the obvious negative consequences.

Problem gambling, classified as an addictive disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, can have severe negative impacts on one’s life and surroundings. Individuals with gambling problems often experience increased tension and stress, which can be partially relieved by gambling itself. The Arizona Division of Problem Gambling (ADPG) and related organizations are raising awareness about the growing needs of individuals for support and prevention, particularly in cases where individuals fail to realize they are suffering from gambling addiction.

As an Arizona resident, you can access state-funded resources through the Arizona Division of Problem Gambling (ADPG), which is the lead agency tasked with battling gambling disorders in the state.

Common Signs of Problem Gambling

The essential step of solving a gambling addiction or any gambling-related issue is recognizing that you have a problem.

The following checklist should help you out, as it outlines key red flags from a behavioral, emotional, financial, and time-related basis:

Behavioral Signs:

  • An individual’s preoccupation with gambling activities
  • Habit of lying about time or money spent while gambling
  • A pattern of increasing one’s bet sizes to maintain excitement
  • The activity of chasing losses to win back money

Emotional Signs:

  • Frequent mood swings, irritability, and even anger when unable to gamble
  • Strong feelings of guilt and remorse after a gambling session
  • Psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, linked to gambling

Financial Signs:

  • Borrowing money from close ones or financial institutions to facilitate gambling
  • Missing important bill payments and accumulating debt
  • The habit of hiding financial records from close ones

Time-Related Signs:

  • Gambling sessions during family activities or work
  • Neglecting real life responsibilities in order to gamble
  • The “need” to gamble in order to achieve some kind of satisfaction

Below we outlined typical a case study example of a commonly seen gambling problem in an individual:

Case Study Example:
 “A Phoenix man began with low-stakes sports betting but eventually found himself wagering beyond his means. He started lying to his partner about where their savings were going. Only after missing multiple mortgage payments did he seek help from the ADPG.”

If you happen to recognize these patterns in yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to call or text the ADPG helpline: 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783).

Impact on Mental and Financial Health

Gambling addiction is a serious condition which can take a considerable toll on one’s mental and emotional health. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between gambling addiction and co-morbid disorders such as anxiety, general stress, and even depression.

In extreme cases, individuals have even shown suicidal tendencies and dangerous behaviors that negatively impact the lives of their loved ones.

Almost inevitably, financial consequences will often follow, including issues such as:

  • An ever-mounting debt and credit problems
  • Strained or broken relationships with family and friends
  • Job loss or decreased performance at the workplace

There is free, judgment-free support for mental health available in Arizona through organizations such as ADPG, as well as national platforms like GamTalk, which offer peer support.

Getting Help for Gambling Problems in Arizona

In Arizona and the United States, seeking gambling addiction help should be the primary channel. It’s crucial to seek help rather than choosing the “right” channel, as in the worst case scenario, more appropriate help will be provided free of charge. Gambling addiction is taken seriously in Arizona, and recognizing and seeking help is often the most difficult step in the process.

Arizona Helplines & Primary Support

Arizona Division of Problem Gambling (ADPG)

National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)

These helplines offer confidential, free, 24/7 support for those affected by gambling problems in Arizona.

Treatment Options

You can also consider advanced treatment options, which include therapy, counselling, and support groups. You’ll also find the availability of inpatient and outpatient services, depending on the severity of your problem.

  • Counseling and Therapy: This is where licensed medical, behavioral health professionals that trained in addiction support can lend a crucial helping hand in battling your gambling addiction.
    Support Groups: Peer-led groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) provide a 12-step recovery framework which takes you through the whole recovery process in a structured manner, nullifying the overwhelming feeling that often plagues individuals suffering with problem gambling.
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Services: Depending on the severity of one’s gambling problems, the ADPG can refer eligible residents to funded treatment programs.
  • Gam-Anon: For friends and family members, Gam-Anon offers parallel support which is a unique approach to tackling problem gambling.

Self-Help Resources

Self-help resources are seldom recommended for those battling heavy addictions, though they can be excellent preventative tools or useful in the early stages of recognizing a gambling addiction.

Each tool serves its purpose, and seeking help yourself is one of the best signs that you’re on the right track. Consider the following, tried and true tools and organizations if you suspect you’re dealing with problem gambling:

  • QuitGamble.com: Offers educational tools and online coaching related to gambling issues.
  • GamTalk: Peer-support forums where you can discuss your issues with other people and seek refuge and comfort in sharing with others.

Supporting Loved Ones

The importance of family members and close ones cannot be stressed enough when it comes to the recovery process. In fact, addiction is often commonly associated with loneliness, so these two factors cannot be separated when it comes to a healthy recovery.

Since family members and close friends can play a vital role in recovery, you can follow these tips for support if you’re looking to help out someone who you suspect is battling gambling addiction:

  • Avoid enabling behaviors such as participating in gambling yourself or talking about it in a positive light
  • Avoid comparisons such as “I gamble but I’ve never been addicted”, everyone has differently wired brains, and some are much more prone to addiction
  • Attend Gam-Anon meetings to show first-hand support
  • Carefully and lovingly encourage professional help without shaming

Responsible Gambling Practices

Responsible gambling practices cannot be stressed enough. Online sportsbooks and casinos in Arizona offer crucial self-help tools that can help you prevent a problem from ever occurring in the first place, or the case of your suspicion of a problem, it can help you greatly manage it.

Setting Limits

Setting limits, whether for yourself or through actionable limit tools available in AZ sportsbooks, is a massive step-up to controlling your gambling activities, and these include technical and emotional limits:

  • Pre-setting time and money limits
  • Using a dedicated entertainment budget
  • Avoiding gambling when stressed or emotional

Understanding the Risks

As a player, you should always know the following facts:

  • The house edge means the odds are always in the operator’s favor, there are zero exceptions to this. The odds are never in your favor, which is why you should gamble for fun, rather than for the expectation of winning.

Recognizing Warning Signs

Practicing self-awareness can go a long way, and we encourage you to take action if you:

  • Begin gambling more often or with more money than you initially planned
  • Start to feel anxious when you’re not gambling
  • Start to hide your gambling activities from others

Using Responsible Gambling Tools

Licensed operators in Arizona are obligated to offer crucial self-help tools that can help you manage your gambling on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. These may include:

  • Deposit Limits
  • Time Timits
  • Loss Limits
  • Net Loss Limits
  • Wagering Limits
  • Cool-off periods
  • Reality checks
  • Self-exclusion

Self-Exclusion

As an Arizona resident, you can voluntarily enroll in the Statewide Self-Exclusion Program, which restricts access to all ADG-licensed sports betting and fantasy sports platforms. Though keep in mind that this ban may not apply to tribal casinos.

Gambling Laws and Regulations in Arizona

Gambling in Arizona is governed by HB 2772 and ARS Title 5, Chapter 11, which allow for:

  • Tribal gaming via compacts
  • Legalized sports betting
  • Daily fantasy sports

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) is in charge of overseeing commercial gambling operations, and this regulatory body enforces consumer protection standards.

Tribal casinos are managed under tribal authority in compliance with state compacts.

Only gamble with operators licensed by the ADG or recognized tribal regulators to ensure safety and accountability. Your funds are not safe in the hands of unlicensed or offshore operators.

Age Restrictions

The legal gambling age in Arizona is 21 years and older. Each online sportsbook is legally required to verify your age, therefore underage gambling is strictly regulated and prohibited.

Consumer Protections

ADG mandates that all operators provide:

  • Access to responsible gambling tools
  • Clear and understandable terms of service
  • Options for self-exclusion and support channels for gambling addiction

Arizona Resources and Organizations

Find these additional resources and organizations as potential reach-out points if you suspect gambling problems:

State & National Helplines

  • ADPG Helpline: 1-800-NEXT-STEP
  • NCPG Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Support Groups

Treatment Referral

Use ADPG’s treatment locator or call their helpline to be connected with qualified providers to get quick assistance.

Online Resources

Government Resources

Treatment Options Available to Arizonans

  • Outpatient Counseling: Sessions with addiction specialists
  • Group Therapy: Structured group recovery programs
  • Inpatient Referrals: For severe cases, ADPG may assist with placement in inpatient and outpatient programs.

All treatment options can be accessed or referred through ADPG: 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

Finding Professional Counseling Services in Arizona

Finding a qualified professional can be crucial depending on the severity of your problem, and you can do so through the following:

When looking for a qualified professional, we advise you to look for credentials such as:

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Certification in gambling addiction treatment

FAQs About Problem Gambling in Arizona

How do I know if I or someone I know has a gambling problem?

Common signs of problem gambling include spending more than one can afford, chasing losses, obsession with gambling, limited workplace performance, disrupted family relationships, anxiety, stress, and depression.

What kind of help is available in Arizona?

Arizona offers helplines, state-funded treatment, support groups, and self-exclusion programs. Arizona online sportsbooks and casinos offer Responsible Gambling tools such as deposit limits and loss limits to combat problem gambling.

Is treatment confidential?

Yes, all services accessed via ADPG and NCPG maintain strict privacy standards.

How much does treatment cost?

Some services may be state-funded through the ADPG. Insurance may also cover some treatments. A lot of gambling assistance is also completely free of charge, and available 24/7.

How can I help a family member or friend?

You should support without judgment, encourage treatment, and attend Gam-Anon sessions for additional guidance.

Where can I find Gamblers Anonymous meetings?

Visit https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/usa-meetings and select Arizona, this is where you’ll find upcoming eligible meetings you can participate in.

How does the self-exclusion program work?

You can enroll via the Arizona Department of Gaming’s site or directly through licensed operators.