Pennsylvania Problem Gamblers Show a Decrease in Frequency Following Treatment
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Pennsylvania provides therapy for people with compulsive gambling behaviors. According to data from the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), bettors are placing fewer wagers on a regular basis. Following therapy, the rate of gambling reduction has increased by 8% over the previous fiscal year.
The state provides outpatient therapy for problem gamblers using funds from the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund (CPGT).
Problem Gamblers in PA Cut Down Their Tendencies After Therapy
A gambler in Pennsylvania who is having problems may get state-funded therapy. The state of Pennsylvania donated $8.3 million to the CPGT fund in FY 2022–2023, which is used to assist Pennsylvanians in overcoming their addiction to gambling by offering PA casino self-exclusion, therapy, and other measures.
The Compulsive and Problem Gambling Annual Report from DDAP states that the following gambling characteristics were shown by treatment graduates in the previous fiscal year:
- Given up gambling: 45%;
- Decreased gambling: 13%;
- Do not know: 39%;
- The same: 2%;
- Increase: 1%.
Of the individuals who started therapy, 58% have either stopped gambling altogether or have cut down. This figure represents an increase of 8% from FY 2021/2022 when DDAP released the following data:
- Given up gambling: 40%;
- Decreased gambling: 10%;
- Do not know: 41%;
- The same: 9%;
- Increase: 0%.
The fact that more gamblers who acknowledged having a problem have either stopped completely or cut down on their frequency is encouraging.
