Decision tree
Pick the description that fits, and start there.
- I’m worried about myself.
Quiet signs, loss-chasing, hidden balances, can’t stop.
I’m worried about a friend.How to start the conversation without making it worse.
I’m a parent or teacher.Early-intervention resources and what to look for.
I’m in crisis right now.Call 988 (mental-health crisis) or 1-800-GAMBLER.
If you’re worried about yourself
The first step is the hardest because it’s a quiet one — you stop hiding it from yourself.
- Take the PGSI self-assessment. Three to nine minutes. Anonymous. Doesn’t leave your browser.
- Take the SORTES Quiz. It maps you to one of 16 archetypes and tells you the specific tactics most likely to be working on you.
- Set deposit limits with cool-off periods. Most major sportsbooks have a 7-day waiting period option to raise a limit. Turn it on today.
- Delete the apps. Friction is the single best protection. Logging into a website on a desktop browser is enough harder than tapping an app icon.
- Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Free, confidential, 24/7. Text and chat options too.
If you’re worried about a friend
The thing that helps most is being a person they can tell the truth to. The thing that helps least is a lecture.
- Ask, don’t tell. “How’s the betting been going lately?” Listen for friction in the answer.
- Talk about money in concrete terms. “Have you added it up across all the apps?” is more useful than “you’re losing too much.”
- Don’t loan them money. Ever. Even small amounts.
- Have the helpline number ready. Five seconds: “If you ever want to talk to someone neutral, 1-800-GAMBLER.” That’s the whole sentence.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or counselor
Early intervention matters: 79% of young adults aged 16–25 began gambling before age 21, and children introduced to “harmless betting” by age 12 are roughly 4× more likely to develop a problem in adulthood.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) — clinically validated screening tools, state-by-state resources, treatment referrals.
- International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors — youth-specific research and prevention materials.
- Workshops — free 30-minute sessions for schools, libraries, youth groups, and parent/educator audiences.
- 1-800-GAMBLER (Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey) — has parent-specific resources and intervention guidance.
If you’re in crisis right now
- 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text. If gambling is part of a broader mental-health crisis, this is the right number.
- 1-800-GAMBLER — Free, confidential, 24/7. Trained counselors specifically for gambling.
Self-assessment tools
- The Ludus self-assessment — uses the validated PGSI screen. Anonymous, runs entirely in your browser.
- NCPG Self-Assessment — clinically validated screening from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
- Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) — three-question screener developed by Harvard Medical School.
Step-by-step: how to stop gambling
- Add up the real number. Across every betting account. The truth is one screen tap away.
- Tell one person. The pattern lives on secrecy.
- Set deposit and time limits. Use the 7-day cool-off where available.
- Delete the apps. Re-installing requires conscious effort. That’s the point.
- Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Even just to ask what’s available. It’s free and confidential.
- Find a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous meets in person and online.
- Consider professional treatment if patterns persist. Many states cover gambling-disorder treatment under Medicaid; the helpline can direct you.
State-by-state — New Jersey
New Jersey is the home market for Ludus Playbook. State-specific resources:
- Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (operates 1-800-GAMBLER nationally).
- NJ Self-Exclusion Program — bans you from registering on NJ-licensed casinos and sportsbooks for 1 year, 5 years, or life. Apply through the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement.
- NJ Problem Gambling Treatment — Medicaid-eligible residents can access state-funded treatment through the helpline.