Florida Council On Compulsive Gambling

03/23/2026

🎰 Is Florida's gambling addiction hotline being used to profit off problem gamblers?

A WPTV investigation raises serious questions about who's really benefiting from the state's gambling helpline — and it may not be the people who need help most.

New documents show that after the Florida Gaming Control Commission switched the state's gambling hotline to a new nonprofit called Kindbridge Research Institute, that nonprofit signed a subcontractor agreement with a for-profit company connected to it — Kindbridge Behavioral Health — which then received payment for a range of services.

"It's a great business model for them. The incentive is going to be to self-refer... the incentive is to increase their bottom line." — Jennifer Kruse, Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling

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03/18/2026

March is both Women's History Month and Problem Gambling Awareness Month — and the overlap matters more than you might think.

Women are one of the fastest-growing groups affected by problem gambling. Data from the FCCG's 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine reveals that while males continue to represent the vast majority of sports betting-related help seekers, the number of female sports bettors seeking help increased more than tenfold from the pre-legalization period to the most recent post-legalization year in Florida.

This month, we are shining the light on the unique ways problem gambling impacts women — and why now is the time to start the conversation.

Gambling problem? Call or text 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/shining-the-light-on-women-and-problem-gambling-for-womens-history-month/

March is Women's History Month—and it's also Problem Gambling Awareness Month. That powerful overlap gives us an important opportunity to examine a story that has too often gone untold: the rising and unique impact of gambling disorder on women. When most people picture a problem gambler, they pic...

03/12/2026

Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky led a webinar yesterday on behalf of the FCCG, which featured 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data and raised awareness about the emerging impacts of on teens, college students, and young adults as part of .

The webinar was also sponsored by Drug Free Lee, the Southwest Florida Prevention Alliance, and the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN), was free to attend, and was open to the public.

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03/10/2026

Today is National Gambling Disorder Screening Day, but screening for problem gambling is important year-round. During Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) and beyond, we encourage providers to use the 3-question Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen to identify individuals who may need further evaluation. Screening helps connect people with confidential support and resources. Learn more at the link below.

Gambling problem? Call or text 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/pgam/treatmentproviders/

Select resources and information on this page provided by the Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction and Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital.

03/07/2026

National Gambling Disorder Screening Day is an important part of Problem Gambling Awareness Month and falls on Tuesday, March 10th this year. Problem gambling can lead to financial, emotional, social, occupational, and physical harms, yet many cases go undetected.

Screening is quick, confidential, and can connect individuals with support. If you're a counselor, learn how you can host your own screening day event at https://gamblinghelp.org/pgam/treatmentproviders/.

Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

Select resources and information on this page provided by the Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction and Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital.

03/03/2026

March 2nd is World Teen Mental Wellness Day, an important part of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Problem gambling has long been called "the hidden addiction" because it leaves no visible physical symptoms, making it especially hard to detect in teens.

Nearly 70% of Florida residents ages 13–17 have gambled in their lifetime, and more than 40% report gambling in the past year. This is not a distant risk — it is happening in Florida's schools and communities right now.

Problem gambling among teens is linked to poor academic achievement, school truancy, depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and even suicidal ideation. The consequences go far beyond money. This World Teen Mental Wellness Day, help us shine the light on teen problem gambling risks.

Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/shining-the-light-on-teen-problem-gambling-risks-for-world-teen-mental-wellness-day/

March 2nd is World Teen Mental Wellness Day—a timely reminder that, as Problem Gambling Awareness Month kicks off, one of the most under-recognized threats to teen well-being is hiding in plain sight. Every March 2nd, communities around the world observe World Teen Mental Wellness Day to open conv...

03/02/2026

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. In this year's campaign, we're raising awareness that Florida Finds Hope Through 888-ADMIT-IT. If you are worried about the impacts of problem gambling on yourself or a loved one, the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine offers a 24/7 gateway to free resources.

Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/web-letter-march-is-problem-gambling-awareness-month/

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)—a national grassroots campaign observed each year to spark heightened awareness and action. Here in Florida, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) leads PGAM by bringing together voices across the community to spotlight the real impacts ...

02/21/2026

During Black History Month, it’s important to talk about how problem gambling impacts African Americans and families in Florida. African American communities face unique risk factors tied to problem gambling, including targeted marketing, economic stress, and stigma that can delay help-seeking. Problem gambling can lead to financial hardship, debt, housing instability, strained relationships, and mental health challenges.
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Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/black-history-month-and-how-problem-gambling-impacts-african-americans/

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the contributions and resilience of African Americans in healthcare, behavioral health, and public health, while also acknowledging the historical and ongoing inequities that affect health outcomes. In addiction and problem gambling prev...

02/12/2026

Problem gambling is about more than money; it can damage finances, health, relationships, and work all at once.
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Admitting there is a problem and reaching out for support are powerful steps toward restoring balance and stability.
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Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/problem-gambling-side-effects-more-than-just-losing-money/

Problem gambling affects far more than finances. As control slips, the impact often spreads into many areas of life. The deeper the struggle becomes, the more complex these challenges can feel. Let’s explore these effects and then look at ways to restore balance and stability. Here is a list of ma...

02/07/2026

Big games like the Super Bowl can stop being fun when betting leads to financial stress, relationship conflict, and emotional fallout from problem gambling. Read our latest Web Letter to learn why even watching can come with risks.

Gambling problem? Call 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/web-letter-super-bowl-lx-and-problem-gambling-is-watching-worth-the-risk/

Super Bowl LX and similar high-profile events can surface urges that many people thought were long behind them, especially in today’s world of online sports betting and prediction markets. For some, Super Bowl Sunday isn’t the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots – it’s “me ver...

01/22/2026

If you or someone you love is in recovery from problem gambling, a relapse prevention plan can be the difference between staying on track and slipping back into old habits. It helps you recognize early warning signs, manage stress in healthier ways, and remove access to money before urges strike.

Recovery is not about perfection. Relapse is not failure; it is information that something in your plan needs to change, and support is always available to help you adjust and keep going.

Gambling problem? Call or text 888-ADMIT-IT.

https://gamblinghelp.org/in-recovery-from-problem-gambling-heres-why-you-should-have-a-relapse-prevention-plan/
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If you have begun recovery from gambling, or are considering taking your first step towards a life without gambling, understanding what a relapse prevention plan is – and how to use it – can be a powerful tool. It helps support both you and those around you by recognizing early warning signs tha...

01/17/2026

College football’s National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday can be especially risky for people in recovery from problem gambling, with sports betting ads and odds woven throughout game-day coverage.

Learn more in our January Web Letter!

Gambling problem? Call or text 888-ADMIT-IT.

For anyone concerned about gambling, it’s important to be aware of the risks presented by the NCAA College Football National Championship Game coming to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on January 19, 2026, which can create a “perfect storm” for those in recovery for a gambling problem. This...