Arizona’s Division of Problem Gambling has expanded access to free financial counselling for people enrolled in the state’s voluntary gambling self-exclusion programme. The change gives eligible self-excluders no-cost support through GamFin.
The service is meant to be practical. Each participant is paired with a dedicated financial counsellor, begins with an initial virtual consultation, and can then receive confidential guidance on budgeting, debt management, financial planning and other money problems tied to gambling harm.
According to KJZZ, financial counselling had previously been available only to people enrolled in Arizona’s Treatment Assistance Program. Elise Mikkelsen, the division’s director, said a recent budget increase allowed the department to expand the programme and bring as many resources as possible to those in need.
GamFin specialises in advising people with gambling debts. Under the new arrangement, patrons who choose to self-exclude are offered the chance to take part in its counselling service.
The move comes after recent Arizona Department of Gaming research found continued concern about gambling harm. SiGMA reported that about one in five Arizona adults said they had experienced gambling-related problems, while 18% of respondents fell into the moderate to high-risk category on the Problem Gambling Severity Index.
Arizona’s self-exclusion page describes the programme as a voluntary way to take a break from gambling or stop altogether. It advises participants to check for pending wagers, contests, withdrawals or disputes before enrolling, save account records and tax documents, withdraw available funds, and update or remove payment methods, because exclusion can take effect immediately or after a processing period.
SiGMA said Arizona has also launched its Take Back the Game awareness campaign to promote self-exclusion and responsible gambling resources through television, digital and community outreach.
