Responsible Gambling in Arizona

Before we get started, a quick note: If you need to speak with someone about problem gambling immediately, you can reach the Arizona helpline at 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

Problem gambling resources in AZ

When state legislatures debate the pros and cons of sports gaming, they aggressively address the question of problem gambling.

Operators, including the Arizona Lottery, are required to post links to resources, and the state will develop a responsible gaming framework. We explain the problem gambling resources that are available in Arizona below.

Arizona Department of Gaming Division of Problem Gambling

The Arizona Department of Gaming has created a special Division of Problem Gambling to provide actionable help along with educational resources. On the home page, there are links to:

Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling

Another entity that is available to provide problem gaming assistance is the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling. Their site offers a self-assessment, other recovery/support tools, and treatment and counseling resources.

National problem gambling resources

The state-level resources are supplemented by national entities that provide various forms of problem and potential problem gambling assistance.

National Council on Problem Gambling

One of the leading lifelines on the national level is the National Council on Problem Gambling. They operate a problem gaming helpline of their own: 1-800-GAMBLER, and it is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Gamblers Anonymous

Everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is a 12-step program for people that are addicted to alcohol, and it has proven to be very effective. The concept has been applied to other types of addiction, and the first Gamblers Anonymous meeting was held in 1957. They have a helpline as well, and you can locate a meeting near you using the search function on their website.

Gam-Anon

The impact of problem gambling extends to people that are close to individuals that are struggling with this addiction. Gam-Anon is dedicated to the difficulties that these people face, and you can visit their site if you are looking for this type of support.

Gamtalk

If you want to chat with people online about problem gambling, whether it is your own challenge or that of a loved one, Gamtalk is there for you. This is a supportive online community that is free to join, and you can maintain your anonymity if you choose to do so.

Responsible gambling overview

Now that we have covered the help that is out here if you have a problem, or if you are impacted by someone with an addiction, we can focus on responsible gambling. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so you should enter into the activity with a game plan.

Most importantly, recognize the fact that gambling can be very addicting. A lot of people that are consumed by problem gaming never thought that they would ever be in that position. It can happen to anyone, so you should resolve to put gambling in the proper perspective from the start.

When it is done safely, gambling on sporting events is a lot of fun. When you bet on a game, you are going to be much more interested in the outcome if you don’t root for either team under ordinary circumstances. It makes a good thing much better, and it is completely harmless if you act responsibly.

Responsible gambling tips

When you follow these basic rules, you will be able to enjoy sports gaming in a fully responsible manner:

Responsible gambling initiatives for sports betting operators in AZ

At the end of the day, the player is responsible for their actions, but sports betting operators in Arizona can do their part as well through the implementation of these measures:

How to identify problem gambling online in AZ

Online gambling is seductive, and you can start to exhibit problematic behavior without even noticing it at first, and it may not be noticeable to loved ones, either. Let’s look at some of the key indicators:

The responsible gambler is the winner

Sports betting should be a recreational activity that adds a positive dimension to your life without occupying too much space. A lot of people that have followed sports closely all of their lives think that they can apply that knowledge to win most of the time, but that is simply not the way it works.

The responsible gambler will enjoy the betting action without taking it too seriously. You may go on a winning streak, and you may be lucky enough to hit a parlay that provides a big payday. However, in the long run, people that turn a profit over the long haul betting on sports are few and far between.

A real winner is a person that takes full advantage of the opportunity to bet on sports without veering off of the responsible path.