Learn more about problem gambling

If you think you have a problem with gambling, if you’re a family member of a problem gambler, or simply want to learn more about problem gambling and its impacts, this page is a good starting point to find resources and more information.

Resources for Gamblers and Families

Gamblers Anonymous

Gam-Anon

Nebraska Problem Gamblers Assistance Program

Gambling Myths

Myth

“Casinos are fun, friendly places where they call me by my first name.”

Truth

A casino is a business that exists to get as much money from each customer as possible. Most casinos offer customer loyalty cards to acquire personal information about each customer in an effort to keep them playing.

Myth

“My secret lucky number is going to win.”

Truth

An analysis of lottery play indicates that people who pick numbers based on date of birth or other special numbers are less likely to win than those numbers entered based on random computerized selection.

Myth

“The ability to dream is well worth the price of a lottery ticket.”

Truth

Lottery advertising often attracts the people who can least afford the money to pay for a lottery ticket.

Myth

“I have a feeling that today is my lucky day. I just know I am going to win.”

Truth

Hoping, wishing or needing to win money has absolutely no influence on the outcome of a game of chance.

Myth

“If I play more than one slot machine, hand of poker or Daily Fantasy Sports game at a time, I’ll increase my chances of winning.”

Truth

A gambler may win more often playing multiple games – but make no mistake, a gambler will spend more and lose more doing so. Over time, the more you gamble, the more you lose.

Myth

“Problem gamblers gamble every day.”

Truth

You may only gamble once a week or once a month, but it is the emotional and financial consequences of your actions that signal a gambling addiction.

Myth

“Disordered gambling is just a financial problem.”

Truth

Disordered gambling is an emotional problem with financial consequences.

Myth

“People with money to lose can’t ever have a gambling problem.”

Truth

Compulsive gambling interferes with all areas of your life – family, friends and work.

Myth

“It’s easy to recognize a problem gambler.”

Truth

The disordered gambler has very few obvious symptoms. A gambling addiction, unlike drugs and alcohol, is easy to hide, especially an online gambling addiction.

Myth

“My favorite slot machine is so close to winning.”

Truth

Called the “near miss,” slot machines are programmed to look as if the player almost won a jackpot to keep the bettor losing.

Myth

“I am in control.”

Truth

The mathematicians and software programmers who design today’s games make certain gamblers, as a whole, will lose and that the company which owns the game comes out ahead.

Myth

“My luck will change if I just keep playing.”

Truth

The mathematicians and software programmers design today’s gambling with odds that remain fixed and static; the probability of winning remains the same with every turn. The illusion that the odds will get better the longer one plays is named the ‘gamblers fallacy.’

Myth

“I know I will win again because I won once.”

Truth

The mathematicians and software programmers who design today’s games keep people playing by allowing them to win a little bit once in a while, creating the illusion that the gambler is winning when in reality, the gambler is losing. They call this “losses disguised as wins.”