Gambling Addiction Treatment in Florida

Casino gaming: There are currently seven land-based casinos that are permitted and regulated on Tribal Indian Land in Florida. Online casinos are illegal in the state, although hundreds of thousands of residents access offshore websites and apps. Most are unaware that these unregulated platforms are not permitted to take money from Florida residents. More concerning, is that illegal operators do not adhere to Responsible Gaming practices. In addition, a form of online casino gambling hidden under the guise of “social casinos” (aka “sweepstakes casinos”) operate within the state with relative non-liability regarding harms of problem gambling.

Horse racing: There are currently two live horse racing tracks operating in Florida.

Jai Alai: Jai alai gambling is unique to the state of the Florida. There are two, in Dania Beach and Miami, which offer competitions year-round. Four others are found in Fort Pierce, offering jai alai around two months a year as a regulatory requirement to maintain poker room licenses.

Online sports betting: Florida has legalized sports betting, but only through the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet app or by visiting in person to the six Seminole Hard Rock Casinos. However, as with online casinos, illegal offshore sports betting platforms such as BetOnline.eg among many others target Florida residents.

Even though Florida has stricter laws regarding casino gaming and sports betting when compared to most other U.S. states, gambling addiction statistics are concerning. The University of Florida Health reports the following statistics:

• 5.2% of Floridians are at risk of becoming problem gamblers (compared to 2.3% national average)

• Florida has a 100% (approximate) greater percentage of problem and compulsive gamblers than reported in U.S. national surveys.

Meanwhile, Florida residents share the following problem gambling statistics with the rest of the country:

• 20% of sports bettors are in or have been in debt from sports betting ( source )
• Average gambling addict (male) debt is between $55,000 and $90,000 ( source )
• About 3% of problem gamblers in the USA are $300,000 in debt due to their addiction ( source )
• Nearly 15% of problem gamblers have committed a crime to support their addiction ( source )
• Divorce rate for habitual gamblers is 31% compared to 21% for those who rarely gamble ( source )
• Suicide rate is 16 times higher for problem gamblers ( source )

Kindbridge provides effective treatment in a confidential and welcoming virtual environment. Our therapists are accessible whether you’re in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Siesta Key, Tampa, or any of the other counties, cities, towns, and communities within the Sunshine State. In addition to gambling disorder, Kindbridge therapists are qualified to treat other mental/behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact more than 41% of the CA population. Residents have the option to select one-on-one therapy, group therapy, or a combined approach. You may also sign-up for our 8-week problem gambling coaching program (register below).

An individual’s relationship with gambling also has an impact on loved ones. In addition to gambling addiction treatment for individuals in Florida, Kindbridge provides couples and family sessions.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online counseling. Florida residents may also qualify for direct billing through our insurance partners.