Problem Gambling Treatment and Resources

Problem gambling is gambling behavior that negatively impacts a person’s life, possibly including their family, work, school, other relationships, and finances. Help is available. 

• If you are seeking problem gambling support for yourself or someone else, reach out to Recovery Help Line at 866-789-1511 
  Call or text | 24/7/365 | Support available in 155+ languages

• If you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one and not enrolled in Medicaid/Apple Health, contact the Problem Gambling Helpline (WA State) at
  800-547-6133 for help locating a Certified Gambling Counselor. 

• If you are enrolled in Medicaid (Apple Health), please contact your Managed Care Organization for referral to a Certified Gambling Counselor. 

• If you have no way to pay for treatment services, you are likely eligible to receive free assessment and treatment under the WA State Problem Gambling Program. This includes family members and loved ones negatively impacted by another person’s gambling. 

Seeking Treatment?

• Call or text Recovery Help Line at 866-789-1511 | 24/7/365
  Support available in 155+ languages 

• Problem Gambling Helpline (WA State)
  800-547-6133 | Call, text, chat 24/7 | Over 200 languages in addition to English

• Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling Support Service Locator
  Find Certified Gambling Counselors in WA State (check each listing for details of payment types). Individuals can self-refer. 

• WA State Problem Gambling Program
  A low-barrier program offering free assessment and treatment for problem gambling/Gambling Disorder to eligible individuals and their loved ones.
• The Health Care Authority contracts with over a dozen problem gambling providers to provide free outpatient treatment. A list of contracted providers can be found on this website.
  To be eligible, individuals must be:
  • 1) non-Medicaid (Apple Health) enrolled,
  • 2) be assessed as needing treatment for problem gambling (not required if a loved one) and,
  • 3) have no other way to pay for treatment services for problem gambling.
    

• Medicaid/Apple Health
  As of Jan 2024, Apple Health now covers problem gambling assessment and treatment for enrolled clients. If an individual is enrolled in Medicaid/Apple, they should contact their Managed Care Organization for more information on how they can connect with a problem gambling counselor or DOH-certified problem gambling agency.
  

More Resources  

• Gamblers Anonymous Support Group
  Seeking connection with others experiencing impacts of gambling? GA in-person and online support groups for individuals seeking support.
• Gam-Anon
  Concerned about a loved one’s gambling? Gam-Anon has both in-person an online support groups to support individuals affected by a loved one’s gambling. 
• Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
  For individuals who wish to submit a single form to exclude themselves from gambling at all commercial house-banked card rooms statewide, for one, three,
  or five years.
• WALottery Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program 
  For individuals who wish to exclude themselves from WA Lottery activities for a pre-determined length of time.
• Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling 
  WA State-based not-for-profit providing education, outreach, training, and additional resources.
• National Council on Problem Gambling 
  For more resources and information on gambling and problem gambling.