All Resources for Youth

Problem gambling can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime. But it is treatable. There is help for EVERYONE: gamblers, their loved ones and their friends!

For the Gambler:

1. Determine if you may have or be at risk of developing a gambling problem

• Teens, answer the Teen Gamblers Self-Assessment questions¹

2. Call a Helpline:

• 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) – Speak to a live, professional, master’s level counselor 24/7/365 for confidential and free assistance on treatment in your area. There are over 200 languages available upon request!
• 1-800-843-5200 – For Youth, ages 12-24, and their families

• 1-888-968-7888 – NICOS Chinese Health Coalition helpline for Cantonese and Mandarin speaking problem gamblers²

3. Seek Counseling

• Receive problem gambling treatment from a certified gambling counselor
  • State Sponsored Treatment is also available
    • Outpatient Treatment – licensed therapists trained to help problem gamblers³

4. Continued Support through Gambler’s Anonymous (GA)⁴

• Free, 12-step support group
• A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
  • Contact:
    • Central Valley: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • Inland Empire: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • Northern California: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • Palm Springs: 1-760-325-2808
    • Sacramento: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • San Diego: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • Southern California: 1-855-2CALLGA or 1-855-222-5542
    • Meetings in English and Spanish in Southern California
    • Meeting List

5. Self-Help Tools/Publications

•  “Freedom from Problem Gambling”Workbook
  • This self-help workbook for problem gamblers, developed by the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, is a tool for assisting people who are motivated to stop or reduce the problems associated with gambling. The workbook is NOT a substitute for professional help.³
•  Brochures (Provided by OPG)³
  • Youth Gambling
  • Gambling Guidelines to Prevent Gambling Addiction
  • Multi-Language Brochures and Workbook

6. Self-Exclusion/Restriction

• California Cardrooms
  • Self-Exclusion – allows gamblers to ban themselves from gambling in all California Cardrooms. The terms are 1 year, 5 years, and lifetime exclusion.
  • The above link allows you to register online: you do not have to go into a cardroom to exclude yourself!
  • Self-Restriction – allows gamblers to limit their access to individual cardrooms entirely, exclude from certain games, or issuance of credit, check cashing, or marketing by that cardroom. Restriction periods (30 days, 90 days, 1 year, lifetime, etc.) are dictated by the individual cardroom’s policy.³
• Tribal Casinos
  • Each Native American casino has its own government, forms, and policies. You must contact them individually about their self-exclusion programs.
• The Global Cash Access STEP  allows gamblers to ban themselves from using ATMs at over 1,000 gambling locations.⁵
• Gamblock allows gamblers to ban themselves from internet gambling. ⁶

7. Help Outside of California

• National Helpline Number: 1-800-522-4700⁷
  • The Area Code on your phone will transfer you to the State the phone resides. 24/7/365, free, confidential helpline.

8. Resources for the Parents