Problem Gambling Services

Problem Gambling Services

If gambling is causing problems in your life, or if you are concerned about someone else’s gambling, there is help available.

Maine offers no-cost services and resources and we can refer you to outside resources as well, depending your specific situation.

See below for details on:
  • Self-exclusion services
  • No-cost counseling
  • Free financial counseling
  • Other resources

Self-exclusion for casino gambling and sports wagering

What is self-exclusion? What is the Sports Wagering Unauthorized Exclusion list?

Is the money or time you’re spending gambling causing problems in your life? Give yourself a break. One tool that many people find useful is self-exclusion. That is when you voluntarily complete a form to opt-out from gambling at casinos or with sports wagering operators in Maine for a chosen length of time. Complete the self-exclusion process in-person or online with the assistance of trained staff. The process is fast and easy

Here are some details:

  • Casino Self-Exclusion list: The periods of time you can choose are 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime. The Gambling Control Unit holds the official self- exclusion list and releases the names only to casino or slot establishments.
  • Sports Wagering Unauthorized Exclusion list: The periods of time you can choose are 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You must complete one of the shorter terms before you can sign up for the lifetime list. The Gambling Control Unit holds the official self- exclusion list and releases the names only to sports wagering operators.

Self-exclusion for casinos and sports wagering is available online! How does it work?

First you contact AdCare’s Problem Gambling Services Coordinator, Lori Manson at (207) 626-3615 ext. 20 or lmanson@adcareme.org to set up an appointment. Often, the service can be done right away if you contact Lori 9-5, Monday-Friday or another convenient time may be selected. Lori will email you a form which is fast and easy to fill out online. Then you will meet with Lori via Zoom to complete the process. If you’d like, Lori can also talk to you about additional problem gambling services that are available such as support groups, free online resources, and counseling services which may be provided at no cost if you can’t afford to pay.

Self-exclusion for casinos and sports wagering is also available in-person with trained staff at select community locations.

– View and search the list of self-exclusion locations.

No-cost counseling: Maine’s Gambling Addiction Treatment Network

If you are an individual with a gambling problem, or a loved one impacted by another’s gambling, there are counselors and social workers with training in problem gambling.  New for 2025: Any person in Maine concerned with problem gambling is eligible for four (4) no-cost counseling sessions for the purpose of screening, discussing options, and planning next steps. This no-cost service is available for the person who is gambling and for individuals concerned about the gambling of a loved one. If after four sessions it is determined that the individual would benefit from ongoing counseling and can’t afford to pay, their treatment will continue to be covered at no cost under Maine’s Gambling Addiction Treatment Network. Contact 211 Maine or lmanson@adcareme.org for a list of counselors in the network.

Calling all Counselors and Social Workers!  The Gambling Addiction Treatment Network is an opportunity for treatment providers to become eligible to receive referrals and to be reimbursed for gambling treatment. We can provide the training at no cost. Learn more about eligibility, membership, how to apply, and how to get reimbursed.

Free financial counseling with GamFin

Breaking News! AdCare Maine Problem Gambling Services just signed an agreement with GamFin to provide no-cost financial counseling for individuals with gambling-related financial problems and/or their family members. GamFin’s financial counselors can help you gain clarity, find a path forward, and help restore hope.

Each GamFin counselor brings expertise in budgeting, debt-management, credit improvement, and money systems for individuals and families impacted by gambling. They offer financial counseling that can relieve the pressure. These virtual sessions are 100% secure & confidential. You do not need a referral to access this service. Your personal information will not be shared with AdCare or anyone else outside GamFin.

  • To access this service, go to gamfin.org.
    • Select “Book a Financial Counseling Appointment”
    • Click “Start”
    • Click “I’m a client”
    • Click “Yes, this will be my first appointment”
    • On the “Do you have a referral?” page:
    • If you are in counseling with one of our Gambling Addiction Treatment Network counselors, select “Yes, I have a referral.”
    • If you are not in counseling with one of our Treatment Network counselors, select “No, I do not have a referral.”

If you have any problems getting an appointment set up:

Support at your fingertips: Download Evive for one year of free access

Redefine your relationship with gambling: Get immediate, personalized support whenever you need it: Many people in Maine are gambling on their devices and some have found the easy access is creating problems for them. Now, Mainers can get support and resources to address those problems with easy access through the Evive app.

You don’t need to aspire to quit gambling to benefit from Evive.

You can choose your path:

  • Keep It Safer: Want to keep your gambling safe? Discover ways to minimize your risk.
  • Cut Back: Want to gamble less? Discover ways to cut back on the time and money spent betting.
  • Stop Gambling: Ready to quit? Get support to stop gambling and stay on track.

Access personalized tools:

  • Educate yourself
  • Manage your budget
  • Set your goals
  • Track your progress
  • Connect with a community

Go to https://www.getevive.com/

Helpline

211 is Maine’s Problem Gambling Helpline.  You are not alone.  Help is available.  You can be connected to services by:

Resources

Download Resources – Maine-specific services, national resources, workbooks, podcasts, and training.

Has Gambling Become a Problem? – Download the flyer

Learn the basics of screening for problem gambling and gambling disorder

Meetings, Fellowship, and Support:

Gamblers Anonymous

Visit the New England Intergroup of Gamblers Anonymous at http://newenglandga.com/ to find meetings or call (888) 830-2271. The hotline is answered 24 hours per day by New England GA members. It is helpful to call the hotline even if there isn’t a live meeting in your area because the person in recovery can talk to you about other options.

You can also search the national Gamblers Anonymous site at https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/ You won’t find many in-person GA meetings in Maine, but you can participate in any virtual (Zoom or phone) meeting offered in any state.

Gam-Anon is a resource for loved ones who are impacted by problem gambling. There is a Gam-Anon meeting in York, Maine on Saturday mornings at 9 AM. There are also Zoom meetings. Learn more at https://www.gam-anon.org/

Maine Recovery Community Centers provide support, education and resources for people recovering from and affected by addiction. Each center offers a unique mix of peer support, recovery meetings, wellness activities, and more. See the list of Recovery Community Centers around Maine at https://portlandrecovery.org/recovery-community-centers-in-maine/

Downloadable workbook with tools and resources

Has Gambling Become a Problem? Maine Toolkit for Assessing and Setting Personal Goals: Tools and Resources to Make Healthy Choices About Gambling: includes 2 pages of services and resources (download or order paper copies at https://www.mainepreventionstore.com/collections/gambling/products/has-gambling-become-a-problem)

Order no-cost brochures and flyers for your group or business: Visit the Maine Prevention Store at https://www.mainepreventionstore.com/collections/gambling

Host a problem gambling info session:
AdCare Maine Problem Gambling Services can provide a no-cost Problem Gambling 101 training, in-person or online, personalized for your group. We are also happy to have a problem gambling awareness and Q&A session, or set up a resource table at your event or location. Every time we are able to spread awareness, we increase the likelihood that people will be able to identify gambling problems and know how to find services and resources. For more information, email lmanson@adcareme.org

There are more resources that aren’t Maine-specific, like:
  • Podcasts
  • Social media groups
  • Books
  • Gambling site blocking software

Get in touch and we can talk about what would work best for you.

About AdCare Maine Problem Gambling Services

Through a contract with the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, AdCare manages problem gambling services including community Self-Exclusion sites as well as participation in administrative oversight of the Gambling Addiction Treatment Network of providers.

Do you have questions about Problem Gambling Services in Maine? 

Contact Lori Manson, Problem Gambling Services Coordinator at (207) 626-3615 ext. 20 or at lmanson@adcareme.org.

Partner Product Spotlight 

The New England PTTC is excited to launch a new Graphic Medicine with an emphasis on problem gambling prevention! This tool is a sister product to our In the Air resource, developed to support the connection between adults and youth when discussing vaping prevention. This resource includes questions to start conversations with youth and an implementation guide to help facilitators in classroom and community settings.  This resource will also be available in Spanish and Portuguese and is available for preorder now.

Pre-order, “Against The Odds – Problem Gambling Graphic Medicine,” available for launch in winter 2025. Pre-order here and feel free to share widely! https://pttcnetwork.org/news/announcing-the-upcoming-launch-of-our-graphic-medicine-against-the-odds/