Aubrey Price’s office is covered with posters showing treatment techniques. He serves as a counselor at the Zepf Center, home to one of the largest gambling treatment programs in Ohio.

When someone with a gambling problem comes into her office for the first time, she usually starts by assessing his behavior.

“This is the gambling screen we use,” he said, pulling out a survey. “One of the questions is: ‘Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gambled or what happened when you gambled? ‘Have you ever argued with the people you live with about how you handle your money?’”

If a person answers yes to more than five questions like these, Price said that person likely has a gambling disorder. These positive responses are becoming more common lately.

“Just in the last three months, we’ve seen more clients come in for treatment than we’ve seen in six months in the past,” Price said. “It’s increasing. In fact, it doubles.”

Now, Ohioans struggling with unregulated gambling have expanded help options.

The rise of problem gambling in Ohio

In April, the Ohio Problem Gambling Network launched soft. Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network — a virtual counseling option designed to be accessible to people struggling with gambling throughout the state.

According to the latest news Ohio Gambling Study It includes more than 250,000 Ohioans starting in 2022. And that’s probably an undercount.

After the state legalized sports betting two years ago, the state’s problem gambling hotline received hundreds more calls each month.

“We have seen a huge increase in the prevalence of individuals experiencing gambling-related harm,” said Michael Buzzelli, deputy director of the Ohio Problem Gambling Network.

But not everywhere has a physical location that can help like the Zepf Center.

Ohio Problem Gambling Network

“Historically, there has always been this thought: ‘There are only four casinos, so if there are no casinos in our county, people aren’t gambling. And if people don’t gamble, they can’t possibly have gambling problems, right? So we don’t need services for that,’” Buzzelli said.

That way of thinking, he said, has always been flawed: There are lottery dealers all over the state.

But sports betting has made gambling more accessible. These days, people don’t have to leave the living room couch to tap their phones and place bets.

“If gambling is going to be at your fingertips and be that accessible, then gambling treatment should be at your fingertips and accessible as well,” Buzzelli said.

A new telehealth network for gambling assistance

The Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network allows anyone anywhere in Ohio to schedule a free appointment with one of three clinicians.

“Ohio clinicians in Ohio treating Ohioans,” Buzzelli said. “So not only are they gambling treatment experts, but they also know where Gamblers Anonymous meetings might be, where the individual physically lives. They know all the other resources in Ohio.”

Virtual appointments begin with the same type of screening Price used at the Zepf Center. And just like in-person sessions, they focus on mental and financial health, as people with gambling disorders can lose a lot of money.

“You’re talking tens, hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Buzzelli said. “This is where you really see the transition to family. Mortgage? Are they writing off college tuition? The financial implications are severe. And this, of course, affects the mental health of the individual.”

People with gambling disorders often experience stress, anxiety and depression.

“The important thing is that gambling addiction has the highest suicide attempt rate of all addictions, at 1 in 5,” Buzzelli said. “So 20 percent of individuals diagnosed with a gambling disorder may attempt suicide.”

But special treatment can help.

A success story

Marilyn Reed knows firsthand the positive impact of treatment. Gambling addiction started slowly. When she went to Vegas with her husband, she didn’t touch the fancy machines.

But after a casino opened about an hour from his home in Toledo, he decided to give it a try. In the end he couldn’t stay away.

Erin Gottsacker

/

Ohio Newsroom

“If I wasn’t at the casino, I would be scratching the tickets,” he said. “If I hadn’t scratched the tickets, I’d be at the casino.”

The problem must have been that when her husband developed Parkinson’s disease, he wasn’t around much to care for her, and her daughter had lost her trust in him.

“And I was still sneaking away,” Reed said. “And he took my grandson away from me, it was coming up to Christmas and I was a complete mess.”

That’s when he asked for help from the Zepf Center.

“That was my first glimmer of light,” he said. “And I couldn’t get here fast enough for my appointments.”

A counselor there helped him kick his gambling habit, spend time more healthily, and rebuild his relationships.

These days he is no longer attracted to casino games or lottery tickets. He has something better to keep him busy.

“I have two grandchildren now, and my grandson trusts me with them,” he said. “This is very important to me.”

But he worries about young people who have just started betting on ball games.

It could be years before this practice becomes a problem, but if it does, he’s relieved that everyone in the state, just like him, will have the option for help.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a gambling addiction, call 1-800-589-9966 for Ohio. problem gambling helpline. Or call or text 988. suicide and crisis lifeline.