Ohio for Responsible Gambling is an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gambling in Ohio, for those who gamble.

Four state agencies in Ohio are working together in this effort: The Ohio Lottery Commission, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the Ohio State Racing Commission, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). OhioMHAS serves as the resource partner for the initiative and the lead agency responsible for prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

Are you concerned you or someone you know might have a gambling problem?

Do you:

• Find yourself reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble?
• Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to feel the excitement? 
• Become restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling? 
• Gamble as a way of escaping from problems or relieving guilt, anxiety or depression? 
• Often return another day in order to get even or chase your losses after gambling? 
• Lie to family members, friends, therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling? 
• Participate in illegal activities (e.g. forgery, fraud or theft) in order to finance your gambling? 
• Jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling? 
• Rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling? 
• Attempt to control, cut back or stop gambling but are unable to do so? 

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, consider taking a closer look at your gambling and reaching out for help.

Please consider seeking help by calling the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966. 

• Set limits on time and money spent
• Gamble only with money set aside for entertainment
• Bet only what you can afford to lose
• Know when to quit, don’t chase your losses
• Never borrow to play
• Know the risks before you bet
• Never gambling when stressed, depressed, or in recovery
• Realize that knowing more won’t guarantee a win
• Understand that everyone loses over time
• Balance recreational gambling with other healthy activities
• Keep gambling a social activity
• Don’t play to escape
• Play for fun, not just for money
• Know what is legal to play in your area
• Know where to get help (call 1-800-589-9966 or visit gamblinghelpohio.org)

To learn more about responsible gambling resources, please visit BeforeYouBet.org.

• Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline
  1-800-589-9966
• National Problem Gambling Helpline
  1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700
• Ohio Problem Gambling Online Resource Directory
• Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
• National Council on Problem Gambling
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Gam-Anon
• SFY 2022-23 Ohio Problem Gambling Services Annual Report & Plan