Problem Gambling Services

Treatment and counseling services are available free to any Oregon resident who has problems related to gambling, either as a problem gambler or as a family member or friend of a problem gambler. Services are delivered through 29 outpatient treatment clinics across the state, short-term crisis-respite centers in Grants Pass and St. Helens, a residential treatment center in Salem and a home-study program for people with less severe problems.

People wishing to speak with a counselor about problems related to gambling may call toll free: 1-877-MYLIMIT (1-877-695-4648) or visit the Web site for help via Instant Messaging/Chat/Email. Treatment is free, confidential and it works.

• Overview
• Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline Web Site
• Tools for Oregon Providers
• Recovery Support
• Resources
• Useful Links  

Oregon invests over 6 million dollars annually to reduce and/or prevent the negative effects of gambling. Oregon’s Problem Gambling Services incorporate strategies that minimize gambling’s negative impacts while recognizing the reality of gambling’s availability, cultural acceptance, and economic appeal.

Oregon is recognized nationally as a leader in the field of problem gambling services. In 2002, DHS Problem Gambling Program was the co-winner, along with the Oregon Lottery, of the prestigious Government Award (RTF) from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Problem Gambling Prevention and Outreach Overview 

Problem Gambling Treatment Services Overview 

Oregon Problem Gambling Provider Directory 

The Oregon Gambling Helpline has launched a new Web site with online features. This new Web site (1877.mylimit.org) will extend the reach of the Helpline beyond current telephone-based services by featuring:

• Link to chat live with a gambling counselor. Click this option to connect directly with a counselor and communicate via pop-up chat window. This offering is limited to certain hours clearly stated on the site to ensure adequate availability and timeliness. Protocol will be very similar to that currently utilized for telephone callers.
• Direct links to Instant Messaging via the most popular service providers. Similar to chat link, but allows visitors to utilize a more familiar interface for some than a hosted chat window. Accounts are set up on most major messaging services (AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ).
• Email service forms that invite visitors to leave a message and return email address for return contact.
• Updated listings (and look-up facility) of Oregon service providers by locality with contact information. Include GA venues statewide.
• Detailed information regarding GEAR and a direct link to request contact from GEAR staff.

Oregon Revised Statutes

• 409.430 Gambling Addiction Programs; Advisory Committee
• 409.435 Problem Gambling Treatment Fund 
• 461.549 Use of Video Lottery Proceeds for Treatment of Gambling-Related Behavioral Problems    

Communication

For a complete history of the DHS media regarding problem gambling and this program, click here.  

Problem Gambling Service Announcements (PDF files) 

• 2009
  • July 2009 
  • June 2009 
  • April 2009 
  • March 2009
  • Feb. 2009
  • Jan. 2009   
• 2008
  • Sept. 2008 
  • Oct. 2008 
  • Nov. 2008 
  • Dec. 2008 

Upcoming Training

Problem Gambling Counselor Certification

Problem Gambling Certification Application 

Problem Gambling Recertification Application  

Service Elements

Outpatient Problem Gambling Treatment Services (A&D 81) (PDF)

Client Finding Outreach Billing Guidelines (SE 81) (PDF)

Approved Clinical Consultant (ACC) Program

Services consist of case consultation, program development, evidence based practices, discussion of research, gambling treatment education, connection to the greater gambling treatment community, and resources for gambling counselor certification.  This service is available to Oregon funded Problem Gambling Agencies.  For more information, contact Dick Johnson at 971-241-2954 or richardjohnson@ACCBO.com

Prevention

Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator Resource Web Page 

2009 Oregon Problem Gambling Community Resource Guide (PDF)

Research and Program Evaluation

Oregon has been the home of several research studies on the prevalence and nature of problem gambling. The Oregon Council on Problem Gambling conducts such studies.

Additionally, DHS Problem Gambling Services measures the performance of individual treatment programs and overall system effectiveness.

Every consenting person who enters state-supported gambling treatment is followed for up to two years to determine long-term program effectiveness.  

• 2008 Oregon Gambling Programs Evaluation Update (Moore) 
• 2008 Oregon Youth and Their Parents: Gambling and Problem Gambling Prevalence and Attitudes Report (Volberg, Hedberg, Moore) 
• 2006 Prevalence of Disordered Gambling Among Adults in Oregon: A Replication Study (Moore) 
• 2002 Etiology of Pathological Gambling (Moore and Jadlos) 
• 1997-2000 Changes in Gambling and Problem Gambling in Oregon: Results from a Replication Study (Volberg) 
• 2001 Prevalence of Disordered Gambling Among Adults in Oregon: A secondary Analysis of Data (Moore) 
• 2001 Older Adult Gambling in Oregon: An Epidemiological Survey (Moore) 
• 1998 Adolescent Gambling in Oregon (Carlson and Moore) 
• 1997 Gambling and Problem Gambling in Oregon (Volberg)  

Help line call data

• June 2009 
• May 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009 
• January 2009
• July 2008-present 
• July 2007- June 2008  

• Oregon Gamblers Anonymous Meetings
• Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery (PDF) - "To speak for those affected by problem gambling: Advocate, educate, promote recovery"  
  • Meetings are every other Monday from 6:00pm-8:00 pm at the ACCBO Office Building, 2054 N Vancouver, Portland, OR 97227. For More Information e-mail:  PGVoices@comcast.net 
• Problem Gambling Recovery Story: Father gets his life back with help from DHS

• Gambling: The Hidden Addiction (Part 1) (PDF) - From Addiction Messenger
• Problem gambling resources 
• Recommended resource list (PDF)  
• Recovery and Resources (Part 3) (PDF) - From Addiction Messenger 
• Screening and Treatment (Part 2) (PDF) - From Addiction Messenger
• Annotated Bibliographies
  • Gambling among the Corrections population (PDF)
  • Gambling and college students (PDF)
  • Problem Gambling Prevention Bibliography (PDF)   

• Newscan
  “A weekly look at gambling news worldwide” from The Responsible Gambling Council (Ontario)
• Gemini Research
  An organization that specializes in managing and reporting on problem gambling research; the "Reports and Links" section offers a number of international research studies and reports available online.
• Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre
  The “Resource Centre” link offers “eWildman,” a comprehensive review on gambling literature. Access to research requires subscribing, which is free.
• National Gambling Impact Study Commission Full Report
  Completed in 1999, the report is a comprehensive study of the social and economic impacts of gambling in the United States.
• The WAGER
  The Weekly Addiction Gambling Education Report is a research bulletin published by the Division on Addictions at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling; it is intended to disseminate information about the study of pathological gambling.