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

    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:

    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

      Unlike other addictions, gambling disorder can have a direct impact on a gambler’s family, without them even recognizing that their loved one is struggling with an addiction. Often, it isn’t until a financial red flag arises, such as bounced checks, debt collection agencies, bank notices regarding failed mortgage payments, etc. that will alert the family that something is quite wrong. Money is how a gambler continues their addiction and the very thing they chase in order to make things “right.” As soon as it’s apparent that there is a problem, consulting a certified financial advisor is recommended. This enables a neutral third party to recommend and help implement the strategies to preserve the family’s assets.

      GAMFIN

      As a gambling counselor you may join the GAMFIN community. It’s an online community of financial advisors and gambling counselors who share news, tips and counseling issues. Joining the online community is free, just go to this link https://www.gamfin.org/

      If you are interested in further financial training, access to financial advisors, MNAPG is offering free access to these offerings as long as you maintain a joint membership with MNAPG and NCPG. Membership information can be found here. Webinars will be scheduled throughout the year for those interested.

      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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