Funded by NCDHHS, the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina’s Center of Excellence for Gambling Addiction Policy and Practice (CEGAPP) tackles problem gambling and gambling addiction by equipping addiction providers with the tools and resources to assist individuals facing problem gambling, ensuring state policies support effective prevention, treatment, and recovery, and increasing public awareness.

”“Problem gambling impacts individuals, families, and entire communities, yet it often goes undiagnosed or untreated. By pairing a public education campaign with the launch of CEGAPP, we are working to make sure the public understands the risks and resources out there, while also equipping providers with the tools they need to help North Carolinians on the road to recovery.”

Sara HoweChief Executive Officer of APNC

Resources

To Contact the North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline:

📱 Text morethanagamenc to 53342
☎️ Call 877-718-5543
💬 Chat online by clicking here.

The North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline provides resources for North Carolinians experiencing problems related to gambling and for affected family members of those experiencing problems. The resources below can be accessed by contacting the helpline.

Resources for individuals experiencing problems related to gambling:

  • Virtual & in-person counseling options with licensed clinicians (including up to 12 sessions of no-cost treatment)
  • Free access to a Recovery Coach (learn more here)
  • Free access to a Peer Support Specialist (learn more here)
  • Free access to financial counseling specifically designed to support individuals in financial distress due to gambling, available through the North Carolina Problem Gambling Program’s partnership with GamFin (learn more here)
  • Free access for one year to the RecoverMe mobile app, designed with the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, and those suffering with a gambling addiction (RecoverMe offers self-guided therapy tools and a wide range of other resources for individuals in need of problem gambling help. The RecoverMe app can be accessed by North Carolinians for free for one year with the code: NCXMAS24)

Resources for affected family members of individuals experiencing problems related to gambling:

  • Virtual & in-person counseling options with licensed clinicians (including up to 12 sessions of no-cost treatment)
  • Free access to a Recovery Coach (learn more here)
  • Free access to financial counseling specifically designed to support those experiencing financial distress due to a loved ones’ gambling, available through the North Carolina Problem Gambling Program’s partnership with GamFin (learn more here)

Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Programs allow North Carolinians to elect to ban themselves from certain gambling activities for either a specific amount of time or permanently.

The following VSE programs are available for use in NC:

  • Self-exclusion from sports betting in North Carolina, offered by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (learn more and enroll here)
  • Self-exclusion from the digital instants or Online Play games offered by the NC Education Lottery (You can choose to temporarily block yourself from playing online lottery games or exclude yourself permanently by contacting the NCEL Online Play Support Center at 1-866-934-0289. Visit the NC Education Lottery Play Smart Get Help page to learn more.)

Problem Gambling Warning Signs 

As noted by the National Council on Problem Gambling, some warning signs of problem gambling include:

  • Thinking about gambling all the time
  • Feeling the need to bet more money and more often
  • Going back to try to win your money back (“chasing losses”)
  • Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down
  • Gambling despite negative consequences
  • In extreme cases, problem gambling can cause bankruptcy, legal problems, job loss, family harms, and thinking about suicide

Free Problem Gambling Screening Tools 

The following problem gambling screenings are free to access and can help you decide if it may be time to reach out to the North Carolina Problem Gambling Program for further assistance.

For more information, contact CEGAPP Manager Emeline Smith.