Gambling Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
Gambling has done nothing but take from you. Those little rewards and wins that come every now and then pale in comparison to the money, time, and relationships that have been stolen. Casino gaming has delivered false promises, and sports betting has turned your love of the game into something that you now look upon with destain. More distressing, is that you cannot stop on your own, no matter how hard you have tried. The quick hits of dopamine that come when winning or losing lure you back into the fold until you’ve depleted your resources, leaving you scrambling for more. The positive news, is that you’re ready to break the vicious cycle by getting help from a professional. Call Kindbridge toll-free at 1-877-426-4258 for a zero-cost assessment, or read ahead first for more information.
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Brief Background of Gambling in Massachusetts
Is Gambling Legal in Massachusetts?
Casino gaming: Under Massachusetts’ Expanded Gaming Ac of 2011, as many as three casino resorts and one slot parlor can be opened. To date, the state has three full-service casinos. All three offer of-age residents access to a wide range of slots and table games. Online casinos are not regulated, nor legal, although very similar forms of gaming exist under the banner of social and sweepstakes casinos. Massachusetts residents have also been targeted by offshore casinos which do not observe Responsible Gaming protocols established as state and federal levels.
Sports betting: In August of 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law An Act to Regulate Sports Wagering (House Bill No. 5164) and effectively legalize sports betting. Meanwhile, the state began offering online sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) in March of 2023.
Gambling Addiction Statistics for Massachusetts
A recent study conducted by UMass uncovered the following regarding the surveyed population:
- Among monthly gamblers, those experiencing gambling problems jumped from 12.7% in 2014 to 20.9% in 2022 to 25.6% in 2023
- More than 60% of residents surveyed said they had participated in gambling in the past year
Additional data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) found the following:
- Calls to Massachusetts’ Problem Gambling Helpline increased 121% percent year-over-year from the year sports betting was illegal to the year sports betting became legal
Meanwhile, MA residents share the following gambling addiction statistics with the rest of the United States:
- 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 )
Gamblers Help Online in Massachusetts
Kindbridge provides powerful treatment in a virtual (online or by-phone) environment. Our counselors are accessible, whether you’re in Boston, Cambridge, Springfield, Plymouth, Nantucket, New Bedford, Warcestor, or any of the other cities, towns, and communities within the Bay State.
In addition to problem gambling, Kindbridge therapists have expertise treating other mental/behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact 42% of the population in MA. It’s important to note that these issues, including PTSD and other concerns, concur with gambling disorder. In Massachusetts, nearly 24% of adults meet presumptive DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for past-year PTSD, with almost 9% meeting criteria for current PTSD. This, along with other mental health concerns, requires complex and customized intervention that Kindbridge is uniquely qualified to provide.
Couples + Family Counseling for Problem Gambling
A problematic relationship with gambling also has an impact on loved ones. In addition to gambling addiction treatment for individuals in Massachusetts, Kindbridge provides couples and family counseling.
Cost for Gambling Treatment in Massachusetts
Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online and telehealth counseling. Problem gambling treatment rates and subscriptions can be found here. Massachusetts residents may also qualify for direct billing through our insurance partners.
