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MINNESOTA PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE) • TEXT "HOPE" TO 53342 • CHAT NOW ONLINE info@mnapg.org

RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS

MNAPG seeks to become a central point for all things problem gambling in Minnesota. As part of this goal, we offer the following range of resources that include recovery stories, advocacy efforts, research and information for professionals.

 

We come across numerous articles about problem gambling and problem gaming. Here are a few:

  • This article reports that Washington State has sued the makers of the Bingo Blitz app, alleging it operates as illegal gambling and uses child-appealing content, weak age controls and aggressive in-app purchases that expose minors and other users to addiction risks and significant financial harm. Read here
  • The column argues that the growing ubiquity and normalization of gambling—especially through sports betting and youth exposure—risks fostering addiction, financial harm and a cultural shift toward chasing quick wealth through luck rather than stable, meaningful paths. Read here
  • NPR's A Martinez speaks with journalist and author Danny Funt about his new book, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling." Read here
  • A piece by PBS on How Sports Betting is changing our Brains and Behavior, features Danny Funt and Dr. Tim Fong. Read here
  • This Teach-Out is open to anyone interested in learning more about the sports betting industry and its effects on the general population, but it is particularly relevant for young adults and their parents, athletes, educators, and policymakers looking to mitigate the effects of sports betting. Read here
    Podcasts

    Reduce time and money spent on online gambling with voluntary, self-exclusion apps that block online sites.

    LEARN HOW

    Two voluntary, self-exclusion tools for online gambling sites.

    Given that many gamblers may be moving online, MNAPG is offering individual subscriptions for an online self-exclusion tool called Gamban. This tool enables the gambler to block tens of thousands of online gambling sites on all devices. MNAPG has purchased one-year subscriptions that can block up to 15 devices in one household.

    If you are interested, please email sstucker@mnapg.org and a link will be provided to set up the account.

    BetBlocker helps you, or those you care about, ensure that they can manage their access to gambling in a safe and appropriate manner. Whether that means restricting altogether, or limiting during periods of vulnerability, BetBlocker can help. Visit https://www.betblocker.org to download this free app.

    Online Gambling Blocking APPs and Self Exclusion

    Working one’s recovery program is hard and challenging. To assist your clients who may feel tempted to gamble online or visit a casino or card room, there are a few tools that may be helpful. None are foolproof, but these tools may help.

    Voluntary Self-Exclusion from Land-Based Casinos and Cardrooms

    In Minnesota, anyone interested in self-exclusion for a fixed time period (six months, one year, three years, lifetime, etc.) from either a casino or card room may do so by signing a voluntary agreement with each separate facility. By signing this contract, they agree not to enter the premises for a specified time and the casino/card room will cease to send promotional materials to their mailing address. If one should break the agreement during the specified time, the operator has the right to charge them with trespassing and/or if they should win a jackpot of $1,200 or more, they will not receive it.

    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    NEWSLETTERS

    Sign up to receive Northern Light.

    The Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling publishes the Northern Light newsletter quarterly. Past issues of Northern Light are available as detailed below:

    2026 NORTHERN LIGHT NEWSLETTERS
    2025 NORTHERN LIGHT NEWSLETTERS
    2024 NORTHERN LIGHT NEWSLETTERS
    2023 NORTHERN LIGHT NEWSLETTERS
    2022 NORTHERN LIGHT NEWSLETTERS
    Find archived newsletters here

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      GENERAL PROBLEM GAMBLING RESOURCES
      Help and Support for Spanish Speakers

      Find resources for Spanish speakers here.

      RESOURCES TO START THE CONVERSATION IF YOU SUSPECT A GAMBLING ISSUE

      We are not raised to talk about money. We receive little training in school about managing finances or managing risk with the money we have. It’s important for individuals and families to discuss what they want their money to do for them and to set goals to obtain those wants. Setting goals helps develop some discipline to stick to a plan so that ultimately we can live the life we want to live. Below are some resources to help start those conversations.

      LEGAL PROFESSIONALS WITH A GAMBLING ADDICTION

      The legal profession has a higher incidence of gambling addiction than other professions. Why? Some believe that people attracted to this field tend to be highly competitive individuals and their practices can expose them to affluent clients or funds not usually accessible to others. Lawyers are considered trustworthy and this is an addiction that is not easily identifiable. We’ve listed a couple of resources specifically directed to lawyers below.

      • Never Enough, A Lawyer’s Story (Link to Michael Burke’s Story) Presentation at Holland hospital, Holland, MI
      • Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) at 866-525-6466 or mnlcl.org.
      HUMAN RESOURCES
      • Gambling and Health in the Workplace, an NCRG publication 2012 pdf

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      FINANCIAL RESOURCES

      Gambling disorder often creates significant financial harm that impacts the entire family long before loved ones realize there is a problem. Missed payments, mounting debt, collection notices and other financial warning signs are frequently what first bring the issue to light. Because financial stress is deeply tied to gambling-related harm, early support from trained professionals can play an important role in stabilizing finances and supporting recovery.

      Through a partnership between GamFin and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, individuals and families affected by problem gambling can access specialized financial counseling designed to address the unique challenges associated with gambling-related debt and financial instability. These services help clients protect assets, develop realistic financial strategies and support long-term recovery and wellbeing.

      RESOURCES FOR DEBT MANAGEMENT

      Gamblers seeking a debt management plan should work through a nonprofit member agency of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. There are three such credit counseling centers in Minnesota:

      TRUE LINK

      TrueLink is a debit card that allows you or a family member to control exactly how much money can be spent, and on exactly what items or activities it can be spent.

      HEALTHCARE
      SUICIDE

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      PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES, HEALTH CARE FAIRS and COLLEGE RESOURCE FAIRS

      MNAPG regularly attends a variety of annual conferences around the state of Minnesota to create awareness about problem gambling and available resources to health care and other professionals. MNAPG welcomes the opportunity to present at conferences on a variety of topics relating to our advocacy work.

      MNAPG ANNUAL CONFERENCE

      Most years, MNAPG hosts an in-person conference at which national speakers provide the latest information for treatment providers, advocates, legislators, educators and the gaming industry. CEUs are available for LADCs, social workers, psychologists and those working in the prevention field.

      NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MONTHLY WEBINARS

      Joint members of MNAPG and the National Council of Problem Gambling receive access to NCPG’s regular webinars at no cost. Significant discounts to the national conference are also available.

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