The following are resources available if you believe you may need help. For more information, please contact us at (959) 230-4034 or info@ccpg.org.
Helpline
If you or someone you care about has a gambling problem and you are seeking resources to help the gambler or yourself, call our free, confidential helpline 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-789-7777
Click here for more information about the Problem Gambling Helpline.
Live Chat
Our Live Chat is an alternative to the Helpline for those gamblers or family members who may be more comfortable chatting online versus speaking by phone to a problem gambling specialist.
Live Chat is a site that provides emotional support and referrals for the problem gambler, and others impacted by the gambler’s behavior, i.e. family members, friends, co-workers, employers.
Click here for more information about our Live Chat.
Text
Don’t want to call us?
Text “CTGAMB” to 53342. Masters level counselors respond directly to text messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year including holidays and weekends.
CLICK TO TEXT USClick here for more information about texting the Problem Gambling Helpline.
Bettor Choice Programs
The Bettor Choice Programs offer a variety of treatment programs for the gambler and/or significant others of the gambler. Programs are located in various regions of the state. Individual, family and group counseling is available at these sites.
Click here for more information.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program for those with a gambling problem. Members share their experience, strength and hope to help others in recovery. Meetings are held at various locations throughout Connecticut.
Click here for more information.
Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon is a 12-step program for those who have been impacted by the gambling problem of another. Meetings are held at various locations throughout Connecticut.
Click here for more information.
Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers
Financial issues are often the first outward sign of problem gambling. When a person loses control of their gambling, they will continue to spend increasingly larger amounts of money attempting to win back their losses (and often without success).
Financial consequences of problem gambling include:
- Overdue bills
- Maxed out credit cards / Denial of credit
- Always short of money, despite adequate income
- Cannot provide for basic needs (food, clothing, shelter)
- Relies on borrowing money from friends, family or coworkers
- Develops a pattern of extremely high-risk investing or frequent trading
- Money is pulled from home equity, savings, investment or retirement accounts
- Household and personal items are pawned or sold for cash
- Frequent, multiple payday loans or cash-advances
- Property is repossessed
- Home is in foreclosure
Treatment and support resources can help to stop problem gambling and, with abstinence from gambling, the financial stress can ultimately be relieved. With careful planning and debt repayment the finances of a problem gambler and their family can recover over time.
To learn more about dealing with the financial impacts of problem gambling, please see “Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers” from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).