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People with gambling addictions often keep their struggle a secret until they get into debt, according to a counselor at Renewed Life Counseling Center in Buffalo Township.

John Neyman, who began seeing patients for gambling addiction about 20 years ago, has seen an uptick since online gaming made gambling possible without having to go to a casino.

“Everywhere you go, it seems like (gambling opportunities) are there,” Neyman said.

Neyman said most of his gambling addiction patients have found themselves in significant debt and know they need help to avoid digging themselves in any deeper.

Gambling on sports is currently legal in 38 states, up from 37 last year, and mobile sports betting is legal in 30 states.

Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2017, with in-person wagers allowed in 2018 and online ones in May 2019. To place a bet, someone must be 21 in Pennsylvania.

“With the addition of online sports betting, the number of people seeking help has really escalated significantly,” said Adam McCandless, a counselor since 2011 at McCandless Counseling Services in Cranberry Township.

McCandless, like Neyman, sees gambling addictions on the rise. He cited the 2009 opening of Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh’s North Shore as a factor in the trend.

But with the addition of mobile sports betting, he said, gambling is harder for those struggling with addiction to avoid.

“It coincides with the push of a button,” McCandless said. “You don’t have to get up and drive to a casino.”

A study by Penn State University, shared in a recent news release from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, found about 16% of adult Pennsylvanians engaged in some form of online gambling in 2023.

The annual assessment pointed to sports betting as the most popular form of gambling statewide.

“Since the expansion of gaming to include online gambling and sports wagering, there is greater access to gambling, which in turn increases the number of individuals who may develop a gambling disorder,” said Elizabeth Lanza, director of compulsive and problem gambling for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in the news release.

Commercials offer up financially tempting promotions, pulling in many people who might never have gambled otherwise, McCandless said.

“For a lot of people, that’s all it takes,” McCandless said of commercials advertising promotions as an so-called inexpensive way to gamble.

Neyman said most of those with a gambling addiction share a single symptom.

“They are motivated by the idea that they are going to beat the system, that they can eventually win and get all their money back plus more,” he said, “but it’s all driven by an illusion.”

Being introduced to gambling, it’s near unavoidable, McCandless said.

He said those with obsessive-compulsive personality traits are more likely to develop a gambling addiction. An invitation to the casino by a co-worker can kick off a lifelong struggle.

But even if someone avoids the casino, gambling is can be found. It’s promoted on ESPN, the go-to spot for sports fans, he said.

“It’s televised on ESPN, so being a professional gambler is kind of glorified,” McCandless said.

The ESPN BET app launched in November and is available in 17 states, including Pennsylvania.

McCandless said while most people can lose a certain amount of money and walk away, those with an addiction are unable to control those behaviors. What follows is often financial devastation.

“A compulsive gambler says ‘I can win that back and then some,’” he said.

As March promotes Problem Gambling Awareness, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is highlighting ways for people to set limits around their gambling.

“The (state Gaming Control Board) has not only implemented additional self-exclusion avenues, we have implemented a robust online Self-Exclusion Program system that provides individuals 24/7 access to enroll in the board’s voluntary self-exclusion programs,” Lanza said. “We also require operators to offer all online players the ability to gamble within their means by setting their own time or spending limits to promote responsible gaming practices.”

Those who enroll in the self-exclusion program are prohibited from collecting any winnings, recovering any losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services from a licensee or operator, according to the PGCB.

“Through collaboration with our valued partners, the Pennsylvania Lottery is committed to raising public awareness of problem gambling, but also providing tools and resources to players who may be suffering from gambling-related harms,” said Pennsylvania Lottery executive director Drew Svitko. “We encourage any individuals participating in any type of gambling to do so responsibly.

“Remember that when choosing to gamble, it should be kept fun and as a source of entertainment.”

There’s no dollar amount lost that indicates gambling has become a problem. Rather, experts recommend seeking help when it begins interfering with someone’s relationships, job or health.

Neyman said counseling can begin to rewire the brain of someone addicted to gambling and get them to think differently.

“That takes time, getting them to face responsibility, face reality and start thinking differently to meet their needs,” he said.

He said counseling those with a gambling addiction is really no different from counseling a sufferer of any addiction.

“If I can get people to think differently and process what they are facing, in reality, we can get a good handle on conquering any type of addiction, actually,” Neyman said.

However, Neyman said before he can begin to help someone with a gambling addiction, they must clear one hurdle.

“We have to find out if they’re going to take responsibility for what they’ve done, and if so, we can move on,” he said.

Those with gambling addictions see dire effects in their lives, including their relationship with a significant other. Those consequences often drive people to seek counseling, Neyman said.

He counsels his clients to remove all gambling apps from their phone and to steer clear of casinos or roadside gambling venues.

“Everywhere you go, it seems like (gambling opportunities) are there,” Neyman said.

McCandless said his patients can no longer rationalize or justify gambling in any form.

“Then once you turn that corner, you want to surround them with not only information, but support,” he said.

Patients have to surround themselves with like-minded people to help avoid triggers, or deal with them when they crop up. That might include choosing a flip phone with limited internet access as opposed to a smartphone.

“You can’t safeguard (from gambling), but you want to make it as difficult as you can,” McCandless said.

He recommends those who wonder if they have a problem with gambling to seek advice immediately.

“If you’re struggling with something like this, reach out and seek help early,” McCandless said. “It’s much easier to fight this battle before you’ve lost everything.”

The Pennsylvania Problem Gambling helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER. This helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and connects callers with local resources in their community.

A live chat option is also available at www.pacouncil.com/chatline or via text message at 1-800-522-4700.

To enroll in Self-Exclusion Programs, people can visit pgcb.pa.gov or schedule an appointment at a PGCB office. To schedule an appointment, call 717-346-8300 or email problemgambling@pa.gov.

Eagle assignment editor Tracy Leturgey contributed to this report.

Warning signs of a gambling problem are:

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Thinking about gambling all the time.

Feeling the need to bet more money and more often.

Going back to try to win your money back (“chasing losses”).

Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down.

Feeling like you can’t control yourself.

Gambling despite negative consequences.

In extreme cases, problem gambling can cause bankruptcy, legal problems, losing your job or your family, and thinking about suicide.

Source: National Council on Problem Gambling

How to get help

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The Pennsylvania Problem Gambling helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER.

A live chat option is available at www.pacouncil.com/chatline or via text message at 1-800-522-4700.

To enroll in Self-Exclusion Programs, visit pgcb.pa.gov or schedule an appointment at a PGCB office by calling 717-346-8300 or emailing problemgambling@pa.gov.

This article is shared in its entirety as part of a conversation on addiction and pathways to recovery in our community. To read more from Changing Pathways to Recovery, a six-week series, please subscribe.