Ohio Gambling Treatment Network to Make Support More Accessible
Date: 2024-09-09 Author: Robert Beloved Categories: EVENTS
The Ohio Gambling Treatment Network (OGTN), recently unveiled by the Ohio Problem Gambling Network (PGNO), is an important step in supporting people who are experiencing problems due to excessive gambling. The telehealth project provides free help to anyone who needs it and aims to reduce the number of people at risk of developing an addiction.
The goal of OGTN is to make support more accessible to those who are unable to receive in-person treatment. The network will be part of PGNO and will help fill the existing gaps in care. According to statistics, approximately 1.8 million people in the state can be considered at-risk gamblers.
The network will provide a wide range of resources to help people, including podcasts, educational materials, self-help groups and counseling. Additionally, OGTN will provide support to loved ones who suffer from problem gambling. It includes tips on how to deal with gambling problems, as well as a free e-book on issues related to relationship tension.
The first project of its kind
The idea for OGTN was hatched before the launch of sports betting in Ohio last year. When the network became a reality in 2024, it was unveiled just in time for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
According to Derek Longmeyer, executive director of PGNO, about 40% of people with problem gambling experience suicidal thoughts. A similar number suffer from substance abuse, and about 80% experience anxiety and depression.
By creating OGTN, Longmeyer hopes to show people that gambling addiction is not a dead end and that help is available throughout Ohio. He also aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and recovery and encourages people to proactively seek help.
Longmire noted that OGTN will employ experienced professionals certified to work with gambling problems. He said it is the first independent telemedicine project to offer problem gambling counseling in the United States.
Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers continue to consider ways to further expand the gambling industry. Senator Niraj Antani, for example, advocates for the legalization of online casinos, including online poker and slot machines, saying that the launch of iGaming is a “logical next step” for the state.
