Ohio for Responsible Gambling is an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gambling in Ohio, for those who gamble.

Four state agencies in Ohio are working together in this effort: The Ohio Lottery Commission, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the Ohio State Racing Commission, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). OhioMHAS serves as the resource partner for the initiative and the lead agency responsible for prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

If you gamble, pause before you play and consider the following healthy gambling tips:

• Set limits on time and money spent
• Gamble only with money set aside for entertainment
• Bet only what you can afford to lose
• Know when to quit, don’t chase your losses
• Never borrow to play
• Know the risks before you bet
• Never gambling when stressed, depressed, or in recovery
• Realize that knowing more won’t guarantee a win
• Understand that everyone loses over time
• Balance recreational gambling with other healthy activities
• Keep gambling a social activity
• Don’t play to escape
• Play for fun, not just for money
• Know what is legal to play in your area
• Know where to get help (call 1-800-589-9966 or visit gamblinghelpohio.org)

To learn more about healthy gambling resources, please visit PauseBeforeYouPlay.org

Are you concerned you or someone you know might have a gambling problem?

Do you:

• Find yourself reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble?
• Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to feel the excitement? 
• Become restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling? 
• Gamble as a way of escaping from problems or relieving guilt, anxiety or depression? 
• Often return another day in order to get even or chase your losses after gambling? 
• Lie to family members, friends, therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling? 
• Participate in illegal activities (e.g. forgery, fraud or theft) in order to finance your gambling? 
• Jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling? 
• Rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling? 
• Attempt to control, cut back or stop gambling but are unable to do so? 

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, consider taking a closer look at your gambling and reaching out for help.

Please consider seeking help by calling the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966. 

Resources for Problem Gambling Professionals

• The 2025 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference will bring together national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and responsible gambling. Those interested in prevention and treatment of gambling disorder should attend, as well as healthcare professionals who want to learn more about the convergence of risky behaviors such as gambling, substance use, mental health disorders, and health conditions across the lifespan. In addition, gambling operators and regulators interested in promoting responsible gambling and working with service providers in their communities should participate.

• SFY 2023-24 Ohio Problem Gambling Services Annual Report & Plan

• Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO): PGNO is an affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and works with state agencies, behavioral health professionals, regulators, and operators to continually ensure a cohesive gambling service system. For professional development opportunities, visit: https://www.pgnohio.org/events

• The National Council on Problem Gambling is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. NCPG has resources on advocacy, responsible gambling and awareness resources, and training and professional development opportunities.

• Pause Before You Play has a General Community Toolkit that is comprised of assets that are commonly being used to address the general public on problem gambling.

• GamFin provides financial counseling, training, and an online community to support Problem Gambling treatment providers like you.

• Ohio Problem Gambling Advisory Board (PGAB) is a group of key Ohio stakeholders in the problem gambling field, who convene to improve communication within the field and to advise the state department on strategies and innovations related to Ohio’s Problem Gambling service system. Contact milan.karna@mha.ohio.gov for meeting information. Meetings are held virtually or in a hybrid format, bi-monthly, on the third Friday and the remaining dates for 2024 are: August 16th, October 18th and Dec 6th.

• Help prevent youth gambling. Whether it’s video games, in-app purchases, or fantasy sports, youth are exposed to more gambling behaviors than ever before. But you can be a part of the solution, Change The Game Ohio has community assets you can download for free here: https://changethegameohio.org/get-involved/.

• OhioMHAS Gambling Funding: Reporting Updates & Spending Updates is a recorded webinar giving guidance to Ohio‘s county Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards for gambling allocations. Please contact milan.karna@mha.ohio.gov for any questions regarding gambling allocation expenditures or reporting requirements.

Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline

During your call to the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline, you may request to be transferred to a problem gambling specialist for additional resources. 1-800-589-9966 .

National Problem Gambling Helpline

1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM (800426), or use LIVE CHAT.

Ohio Problem Gambling Online Resource Directory

Locate gambling support services in your area at GamblingHelpOhio.org.

Gamblers Anonymous

A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. To search for meetings in your area, visit GamblersAnonymous.org.

Gam-Anon

A 12-Step self-help fellowship that offers support to those dealing with a loved one’s gambling disorder. To search for meetings in your area, visit Gam-Anon.org.

Time Out Ohio

Offers individuals the ability to ban themselves from Ohio casinos, Ohio racinos and Ohio sports gaming for one year, five years or their lifetime. To learn more about the program or to enroll, visit TimeOutOhio.com.

Gamban

Time Out Ohio is proud to partner with Gamban to offer complimentary one-year subscriptions for individuals who wish to block access to internet gambling websites and applications worldwide, including legal and illegal sports betting, online poker, and social casinos. To learn more or to register, visit TimeOutOhio.com/Gamban.

Pause Before You Play

Is a responsible gambling awareness campaign created by Ohio for Responsible Gambling (ORG) dedicated to preventing or reducing problem gambling and building awareness of resources for preventing and treating gambling disorder. Visit Pause Before You Play

Change the Game Ohio

Was developed to raise awareness of the realities of youth gambling amongst parents and educators to help prevent behaviors that can form into greater issues later in life. Change the Game isn’t just working to prevent future gambling problems among our youth. Visit Change the Game Ohio.

Keep It Fun

The Ohio Lottery Commission wants you to enjoy playing Ohio Lottery games and to play them responsibly. The website offers facts, tools, and resources on how to keep your activities fun & responsible. Visit Keep It Fun.

GamFin

If you or someone close to you is experiencing financial insecurity as a result of a gambling addiction, GamFin is for you. Book a consultation today.

RecoverMe

Is a mobile application to help those who suffer with a gambling addiction. This app was designed with the help of psychologists, psychiatrists and those others suffering from gambling addiction using CBT and mindfulness. RecoverMe can be downloaded in both the Apple and Google Play Stores, use code RECOVERME100 to use the app for free.

The Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network (OGTN)

A system of counseling providers throughout Ohio available to those affected by problem gambling or gambling disorder. OGTN is available to provide counseling through a telehealth platform to those without local access to qualified counselors specifically trained to treat those living with problem gambling concerns or gambling disorder.

More Than a Bet

As an anti-bullying awareness campaign of college-student athletes. Student athletes are being abused by sports bettors more than ever before. By learning about the issue and supporting student athletes, you can help us change the narrative. Visit MoreThanABet.org to learn more.