Region 5 Problem Gambling Awareness Team
The Region 5 Problem Gambling Awareness Team consists of community stakeholders working toward raising awareness around disordered gambling and helping connect those in need to treatment. The team meets bi-monthly to review gambling trends and access to treatment.
We host gambling awareness trainings and webinars. Many of our team members have achieved the credentials for The Problem Gambling Certificate of Competency. There is also a Youth Peer Leadership component with an opportunity for regional youth groups to attend trainings and create a public service announcement with a problem gambling focus.
Our partners include DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, The CT Council on Problem Gambling and treatment providers MCCA, Help, Inc., and Apex Community Care.
To learn more about our PGAT, the youth project, or the Certificate of Competency, contact us. We welcome additional members to our team! Check out our quarterly newsletter here.
Please join our team as we work towards our mission of:
- Raising awareness about the risks associated with gambling
- Educating stakeholders about disordered gambling and current trends (gaming, sports betting, etc.)
- Promoting local resources to help those in need
Region 5 consists of the 43 towns within the greater Danbury, greater Waterbury and greater Torrington areas.
Meetings are held 2:00-3:30PM on Zoom
October 2, 2024
December 4, 2024
February 5, 2025
April 2, 2025
June 4, 2025
To join our team or to access help with resources, e-mail mmcgee@wctcoalition.org
Problem Gambling Helpline
1-888-789-7777
Financial Literacy
The Region 5 Problem Gambling Awareness Team has identified Financial Literacy as a protective factor for problem gambling.
Our August 2022 newsletter provided information on this topic. Click here to read more and to connect to resources you can share in your community!
Financial education is more than dollars and cents. It’s about establishing better spending habits, instilling confidence, and equipping the next generation with the
real-world skills to manage financial goals and milestones.
EVERFI’s online financial education curriculum, training, and support are completely free to K-12 educators. Click here to learn more.
Useful Finance Help Links
America Saves – tips on saving money
Mint – personal finance app
Nerdwallet – budget spreadsheet
Rocket Money- personal finance and budgeting
Gaming, and Gambling in youth
Powered Up Courses
Keeping Video Gaming Healthy and Safe!
Take advantage of this free program for parents and youth.
Visit our YouTube channel to view the recording of our Powered Up Webinar.
Learn the facts about gaming, warning signs of problem gambling and gaming, and take a quiz if you are worried about your own risk or that of a friend or family member. https://ctgamblingandgaming.org/
Harm Reduction
What is Self-Exclusion? It is a harm-reduction tool which allows individuals the option to voluntarily exclude themselves from certain gambling activities. To learn more, click here
Download the Responsible Gambling Brochure
Also in Spanish
State-wide Responsible Gambling Marketing Campaign"Responsible
Play The CT Way!"a unified effort of Connecticut’s key stakeholders in the gaming and problem gambling communities to increase awareness of responsible gaming initiatives.Book the new Resource Van for your next event! https://responsibleplayct.org/
Problem Gambling Resources
College Gambling Fact Sheet from CCPG
Fact Sheet: Gambling and Substance Abuse from CCPG
Older Adult Gambling Fact Sheet from CCPG
Fact Sheet: Gambling and Women
Fact Sheet: Gambling and Parkinson's Disease
In other Languages:
Senales de Advertencia (Problem Gambling Warning Signs in Spanish)
Sinais de Alerta para Problems com (Warning Signs in Portuguese)
Lo Que Saber Sobre Los Debe Problemas de Juego
MCCA has dedicated resources to treat those suffering from problem gambling with the Bettor Choice Gambling Program. This is an outpatient gambling specific treatment program funded by the State of Connecticut.
Outpatient Treatment for Problem Gambling Includes
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individual, group, budget counseling for both gamblers and family members
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psychiatric evaluation for both gamblers and family members
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couples and family counseling
MCCA also provides short-term inpatient treatment for clients with a gambling problem at our McDonough House facility
For the complete listing of Bettor Choice Poviders statewide, click here
DMHAS Disordered Gambling Integration Initiative (DiGIn)
Our regional partners Apex Community Care and McCall Behavioral Health Network are working toward increasing the capacity of substance use disorder and mental health treatment/recovery programs to address gambling and problem gambling through enhanced screening, assessment, awareness, intervention, recovery and health promotion strategies.
Gamblers Anonymous is fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org to locate a meeting near you.
Gam-Anon (www.gam-anon.org) is a self-help organization for the spouse, family or close friends of those with a gambling disorder.
