Why did this happen to me/my family member?
Much like other addictions, some people are more susceptible to developing a gambling problem. You have taken the first step in dealing with the problem by seeking information about the problem so that you can change the current situation.

How many other people have this problem?
Research indicates that 1% of individuals who gamble will develop a pathological gambling problem. Another 2-3% of gamblers will become problem gamblers. In SFY07 nearly 1385 callers to the Indiana Problem Gambling Help Line were assessed and referred to a treatment program or support service near them. In SFY07 almost 283 Hoosiers received State funded outpatient treatment for problem gambling. An unknown number of Hoosiers received treatment via private treatment providers.

What kind of help is available?
State funding for outpatient treatment of problem gamblers is available for those who meet the financial eligibility criteria. Eligibility for State funded treatment is determined by your income level. Residential treatment is not currently available in Indiana.

Will treatment work?
Treatment will be successful to the extent that the problem gambler follows the treatment plan goals that are developed with their counselor. Outcome studies indicate treatment success rates of more than fifty percent.

What about treatment costs?
The State of Indiana provides treatment for individuals who truly lack the financial resources to pay for their own treatment. Most treatment providers will work with those who do not qualify for State funding to get them into treatment.

What support system is there for problem gamblers and their families?
Support groups (Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon) exist in many communities to help gamblers and their families. Links to these organizations and their meetings are available on this web site.

What other things can a gambler do to stop gambling?
If the gambling problem is associated with casino gambling, there are programs developed by the casinos that allow gamblers to exclude themselves from a specific casino's properties. This can be done by contacting the casino's Responsible Gaming staff. In July of 2004 the Indiana Gaming Commission began its Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP). This program allows gamblers to exclude themselves from all of the Indiana casinos. Gamblers can exclude themselves for one year, five years or life. More than 1900 individuals have done this. There is a link to the VEP program on this web site. If the gambling problem involves Internet gambling, software (Gamblock) is available that blocks access to all Internet gambling sites. A link to this software is available on this web site.

What do I do first?
Whether you are the gambler or a family member/friend of the gambler, the first step is to call the Indiana Problem Gambling Help Line at (800) 994-8448. Your call will be answered by an individual trained to assess your situation. Help line staff will facilitate your referral to a State funded treatment provider or support group near you if it is determined that this is in your best interest and if you are in agreement with this. This help line receives about 5,000 calls each year. About 1200 of these calls result in assessment and referral to Indiana's State supported problem gambling treatment providers and to other support services. All calls are confidential.