Problem Gambling Awareness Month March 2023
Each March, the Center actively promotes Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign established by the National Council on Problem Gambling to educate the general public and healthcare professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help and resources available.
Be AWARE of the risks of gambling
For most, gambling can be fun. But for some, gambling can get out of control. Signs of a gambling problem:
- Preoccupied with gambling (i.e., reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
- Secretive about his/her gambling habits, and defensive when confronted
- Increasing bet amounts when gambling in order to achieve the desired excitement
- Trying unsuccessfully to control, cut back, or stop gambling
- Restless or irritable when not gambling
- Gambling to escape problems
- Trying to win back losses by more gambling
- Lying to family and others about the extent of gambling
- Jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, education or career opportunities because of gambling
- Relying on others to bail him or her out to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
Take ACTION for help and hope
Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or chat with us at helpmygamblingproblem.org.
- Seek no cost counseling for those who want help and support for problems related to gambling. Maryland residents can receive professional counseling without any additional financial burden.
- Have a conversation with a Peer Recovery Support Specialist for help and support for problems related to gambling. Peers can help individuals seeking to limit, control or stop their gambling, connect them to no cost counseling and other useful community resources. Peers are able to provide ongoing support in dealing with any gambling related problems.
- Take a problem gambling self-assessment Click Here to take a short survey and help determine if you may be struggling with consequences due to excessive gambling.
- Family, friends, and loved ones of problem gamblers are entitled to the same counseling, and professional family peer support regardless of insurance coverage, financial status, or ability to pay. The Maryland Coalition of Families, also provides peer support for the family, friends and loved ones of the problem gambler.
