Program Overview
The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) program for problem gambling will focus on educating Kentuckians about safe gambling practices, the risks of developing a gambling problem, awareness of the risk factors and warning signs of gambling problems, and access to services to address the reduction of the consequences of problem gambling.
To ensure adequate access to treatment across the state, a focus will also be placed on workforce development, including professional workshops, training, and the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYPGH) annual conference.
DBHDID staff will review research on the consequences of problem gambling and support translation of that research to practice, provide resources for treatment and prevention, and work with and review other states' funding resources to address the issue.
Tips for Responsible Gambling
- Know the risks before you bet.
- Set limits on time and money spent on gambling.
- Gamble only with money that you can afford to set aside for entertainment.
- Know when to stop. If you have lost the money that you set as your limit, it is time to walk away.
- Be mindful of alcohol or other substance use while gambling. These can make it harder to stick to your limits.
- Avoid gambling when experiencing stress or other mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.
- Balance gambling with other healthy recreational activities.
- Play for fun, not just for money.
- Keep gambling a social activity.
- Never borrow money to spend on gambling.
Signs of Problem Gambling
- Spending large amounts of time and money on gambling activities
- Gambling with larger amounts of money or for longer periods of time than before
- Arguments with friends or family about money and gambling
- Preoccupied with or always talking about gambling
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut back on gambling
- Lying about or hiding gambling behavior Borrowing money, selling possessions, avoiding paying bills to pay for gambling
- Neglecting work, school, or personal obligations
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Gambling more to make up for money lost, also known as "chasing losses"
- Gambling until all of their money is gone
- Gambling to escape problems or relieve mental health problems
Resources
- 1-800-GAMBLER
- Hotline staff will send you more information about problem gambling or make a referral to the closest problem gambling counselor or Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
- Kentucky Council on Problem gambling (https://www.kycpg.org/)
- Learn about gambling addiction, determine whether you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, and obtain referral information for assistance with problem gambling.
- www.kygamblinghelp.org
- Take a self-assessment to learn about your risk of problem gambling and find a link to access a trained counselor via online chat.
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- The Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.
Contact Us: kyproblemgamblingassistance@ky.gov