FAQs for the Press

Mission Statement

The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (the Center) is a program of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and funded by the Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration.

The Center promotes healthy and informed choices regarding gambling and problem gambling through public awareness, training and education, prevention, technical assistance to the behavioral health care system, peer recovery support, research and public policy. It does so by working closely with appropriate state stakeholders and bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines including psychiatry, medicine, epidemiology, social work, law and others.

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Gambling Defined

Gambling is defined as the act of wagering something of value, like money, on an event with an uncertain outcome in the hope of winning more value
Types of legal gambling in Maryland – Lottery, casinos, sports betting (on-line and in-person), daily fantasy sports, horse racing, licensed bingo, and raffles.

Problem Gambling Defined

Problem gambling (sometimes referred to as “gambling addiction” or “gambling disorder“) is gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career. Anyone who gambles can be at-risk for developing a gambling problem. Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health diagnosis. ¹
Gambling Disorder is identified by a pattern of repeated and ongoing betting and wagering that continues despite creating multiple problems in several areas of an individual’s life. Individuals in any age group may suffer from gambling disorder. Those who suffer from gambling disorder have trouble controlling gambling. Individuals, families, and society may be affected by gambling disorder. ²

FACTS & RESOURCES FOR MEDIA 

General Facts

1 IN 6 PEOPLE ADDICTED TO GAMBLING ATTEMPT SUICIDE. ³
20% OF ALL BANKRUPTCIES ARE LINKED TO PROBLEM GAMBLING. ⁴
1 IN 10 COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE A GAMBLING ADDICTION. ⁵
PROBLEM GAMBLERS ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO GET DIVORCED. ⁶

Warning Signs of A Gambling Problem

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.
Feeling like you can’t control yourself.
Gambling despite negative consequences.
Left untreated, problem gambling can result in bankruptcy, legal problems, losing your job or your family, and thinking about suicide.

High-Risk Factors For Problem Gambling

Substance misuse: Alcohol, Drugs, Stopping prescribed medication
Mental Health: Depression Anxiety
Major life change: Job, Divorce/Separation
Emotional distress: Loneliness, Grief. Loss
Financial strain
Under the legal age to gamble

Quick Reference Links

2024 Maryland Gambling Prevalence Study

5.7% of Maryland adults met criteria for “disordered gambling” (“problem” or “probable pathological” gambling). Males (8.9%) had higher rates than females (3.3%).
- This was a 1.7% ≈ 81,000 increase from 4% in 2022.
13% of Marylanders with a history of “disordered gambling” reported that they had ever sought help for their gambling.
- This was an increase from only 7.5% in 2022.
16.8% of Maryland adults had participated in sports gambling in the past year ≈ 814,000.
- This was an increased from 13.6% in 2022.
14.6% of Maryland adults who had gambled on sports in the past year met criteria for “disordered gambling.”

PSAs & INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS

General PSA

Sports Betting PSA

Peers Perspective

Winning Back My Life

Gambling addiction is a story being played out a million different ways every day. Winning Back My Life offers a rare and revealing look at the disease and the personal journey of four individuals told in their own words.

Playlist

7 Videos