It’s Important to Know When to Stop

Call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER if you or someone you love is struggling with problem gambling. This helpline is available 24/7, to connect you to a trained, professional counselor who can assist you or a loved one in finding treatment, accessing resources, provide support and help you navigate your next steps.

More Problem Gambling Resources can be found here!

If you do choose to gamble, here are some tips to make sure you are making smart choices with your bets.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Gambling

The ‘House’ always wins – the odds of the casino winning your money are greater than the odds of you winning the casino’s money.
Unlink all credit cards and payment methods from gambling sites and apps.
Give someone you trust the ability to change settings in phones to require a password to download and purchase apps/items in the app. You can also allow them to monitor your spending habits to ensure you are not overspending.
Avoid gambling when angry, lonely, stressed, depressed, or upset.
Don’t “chase” your losses by making bigger bets to win back the money you have lost.
Only gamble with money you have budgeted out – never borrow money or use money that is set aside for necessities (rent or food).
Limit alcohol and substance intake while gambling. It can impair your thinking and decision-making skills.
Take regular breaks from gambling and engage in other enjoyable forms of entertainment.
Practice self-exclusion. Self-exclusion allows a person to request to be ‘banned’ from legalized gambling (in-person and online) in your state or area. Visit the Michigan Gaming Control Board website for Self-Exclusion Forms.

It’s important to know when to stop. If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling, let’s work together to support them.

Did You Know?….

Governor Whitmer introduced the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Lawful Sports Betting Act in 2019. Enacted in 2021, these two laws have increased access to online gambling, sports betting, and real money poker sites to anyone 21 years and older.
Approximately .2-12% of youth and young adults, ages 10-24, experience problems with gambling. An additional 8-14% are at risk for developing gambling problems.
Every year an estimate 2.5 million US adults (1%) meet the criteria for severe problem gambling. Another 5-8 million (2-3%) meet one or more criteria for gambling disorder and are experiencing problems due to their gambling behaviors.
73% of individuals identified as pathological gamblers also have an alcohol use disorder. This is 8 times higher than the population average.
The odds of winning the Mega Million jackpot is 1 in 302 million.
- Odds of being bitten by a shark are 1 in 3.75 million.
- Odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 1.22 million.
- Odds of being hit by a meteorite are 1 in 1.6 million.
Michiganders spent $3.6 billion dollars on gambling in 2023. This is the 5th most in the United States.
Problem gambling costs Americans approximately $14 billion dollars a year. This includes job loss, bankruptcy, gambling-related healthcare expenses, and other consequences.
Only 10% of people who struggle with gambling will seek help or treatment.
Michigan has 41 casinos. 3 commercial casinos, 14 online casinos, and 23 Tribal casinos.

Are You at Odds with Gambling? Watch for These Warning Signs

Thinking about gambling all the time
Feeling the need to bet more money, more often
Multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling
Going back to try to win your money/items back (‘chasing losses’)
Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down
Lying to hide the extent of gambling/cover up losses
Borrowing or stealing money from family, friends, or employers to fund gambling behaviors
Has jeopardized the loss of significant relationship, job, education or other opportunities due to gambling.

Take the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Self-Assessment if you think you a loved one is struggling with problem gambling.