Gambling Prevention

Types of Gambling

Gambling is defined as playing games of chance for money; bet or taking risky action in the hope of a desired result.

Common ones include:

  • Slots
  • Cards
  • Racing
  • Sports betting
  • Fantasy league betting
  • Phone/Tablet Applications
  • Internet
  • Bingo
  • Raffles
  • Office Pools (NCAA brackets, due date pools, etc.)
  • Commodities, Stock Market, and Day Trading
  • Lottery games (scratch, power ball, hot lotto)

***Note this is not an all inclusive list.

Warning Signs

An individual struggling with gambling can often live day-to-day life normally. Eventually, gambling MAY spiral out of control as noted by some of the following warning signs:

  • Gambling is always on the mind; preoccupied with gambling.
  • Relies on others to get out debt
  • Routinely absent or late to work
  • Unexplained money loss or gain
  • Unexplained possession loss or gain
  • Avoiding others (friends, family, co-workers)
  • Delays payment on bills
  • Excessive unexplained credit card or debit card expensive
  • Excessive cash withdrawals
gambling addiction treatment and prevention services

Treatment

Problem gambling treatment services are provided to individuals and families. Services include assessment, individual and group counseling. Individuals may qualify for up to four (4) initial free services. After four session, treatment is available on a sliding fee scale basis.

All services are continually evaluated to ensure they remain helpful to our patients, and may be increased or decreased as situations change.

Group sessions may provide education on a variety of topics ranging from effective conflict resolution to accurate information about the effects of gambling. Group sessions are very well received by patients as they offers a time for discussion with peers about challenges and successes as each pursues their individual goals. There is always a period of acclimating to groups, after which patients find many opportunities for assisting others while also receiving assistance.

FINANCIAL COUNSELING
Financial counseling is available through our partnership with Consumer Credit Counseling.

SELF-EXCLUSION REQUEST
For situations where it is necessary or a patient requests, our staff are available to assist individuals in filing a Self-Exclusion (‘Self-Barring’).

PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Prairie Ridge offers a wide range of problem gambling prevention programs. Our staff are available to do presentations with any age group, policy work with community and business leaders, as well as education with youth and other at risk populations. With any of the activities and services facilitated by our prevention team, evidence based messaging is taken into account. Our staff are educated and proficient in prevention and risk reduction programs that are shown to reduce the prevalence of problem gambling.

Service Area

We serve the following Iowa counties: Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth Counties.

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Get Started Today

Contact us at 641.424.2391 to learn more.