Free Resources Help Problem Gamblers
A wide range of treatment options are available.
Is gambling causing havoc in your life? Are relationships or your job suffering because your gambling has gone from recreational to an uncontrollable urge? Gambling doesn't only occur in casinos—betting on sporting events and at-home poker tournaments can also be outlets for problem gamblers.
There is free help available for you or someone you know with a gambling problem. The California Gambling Education and Treatment Services Program (CalGETS) offers free treatment and other resources ranging from self-assessments that help determine whether your gambling is a problem, to face-to-face counseling sessions. Here is a list of services available through the CalGETS:
Toll-free helpline
The problem gambler toll-free helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER, provides assistance for immediate crises management, including referrals to CalGETS counselors in your area, telephone counseling, or CalGETS-sponsored residential care.
Telephone counseling
Free and confidential telephone counseling is available through two toll-free statewide help lines. NICOS Chinese Health Coalition sponsors an Asian Language helpline, 1-888-968-7888. The second helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER, can provide telephone counseling in English and Spanish and both include eight free counseling sessions.
Multilingual website
With the click of a button, the Office of Problem Gambling (OPG) website, www.problemgambling.ca.gov, translates into one of six different languages. Resources on the website include a directory of CalGETS counselors; contact information for residential care facilities; tools to determine if a problem exists and resources to help deal with family and friends who may have a gambling problem; and multilingual printed resources that can be downloaded or ordered free of charge directly from the website. The directory also has contact information for the 204 authorized CalGETS providers who can be located by geographic location and language spoken.
In-person counseling
CalGETS counselors provide free and confidential face-to-face counseling for problem gamblers throughout the state and those negatively impacted by problem gambling behavior. Eight counseling sessions, available in 26 languages, are provided free of charge to California residents who are 18 years of age or older.
Residential treatment
There are two residential treatment programs for problem gamblers in California. The Northern California program, Health Right 360, is located in San Francisco and can be reached by calling (415)762-3705. Los Angeles-based Beit T'Shuvah serves the southern portion of the state and can be reached at (310)204-5200. Clients in inpatient care live at the facility and receive treatment for 30 days.
If you suspect that you have a gambling problem or know someone who does, there is no better time to get help by taking advantage of the free treatment that is available.