Problem gambling, or gambling addiction, includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Problem gambling is a recognizable and treatable illness.

The essential features are increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. In some cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have you borrowed money to gamble?
• Do you spend lots of time thinking about gambling?
• Are you restless and irritable when not gambling? 
• Are you making larger dollar bets to increase your excitement?
• Have you lied about how much time or money you have spent or lost gambling?
• Do you gambling to escape uncomfortable or personal problems?
• Have you neglected important responsibilities, such as work, school or family to gamble?
• Do you have unpaid bills or increased debt because of gambling?

• Preoccupied with gambling and unable to stop
• Bragging about gambling, exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
• Restless and irritable when not gambling
• Gambling to win back what was lost
• Borrowing money for gambling
• Lying to hide time spent gambling or unpaid debts
• Frequent unexplained absences
• Doing something illegal to get money for gambling
• Jeopardizing a significant relationship or job by gambling

• If you think that you or someone you know might have a problem, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Hotline: 1 (800) 589-9966
• Recovery Resources offers Problem Gambling Prevention Education programs to the community free of charge. They also provide professional problem gambling trainings.
• Ohio Casino Control Commission offers a Voluntary Exclusion Program – a change to ban oneself from all casinos in the state.
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA) provides help and information for people with gambling problems as well as their family and friends.
• Ohio for Responsible Gambling is an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gambling in Ohio.
• The Ohio Lottery supports problem gambling prevention, awareness and treatment programs throughout the state. The Ohio Lottery provides funding to various treatment agencies to address problem gambling.
• The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) serves as the authority expected to address problem gambling in Ohio.
• The National Council on Problem Gambling serves as the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.