Ohio Gambling Treatment Network Will Make Support More Accessible
The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO), a responsible gambling advocacy organization, has unveiled the Ohio Gambling Treatment Network (OGTN), a new telehealth system that provides free mental health support to locals experiencing gambling problems or concerns.
OGTN Will Help People Overcome Excessive Gambling
The launch of the new OGTN reflects PGNO’s commitment to safer gambling amid the ongoing growth of the overall gambling industry. For context, there are roughly 1.8 million Buckeyes who are believed to be at-risk players.
The OGTN will make gambling support more accessible, allowing those who are incapable of attending in-person treatment to address their problems. The network will serve as a division of the PGNO and will aim to fill this service gap.
To that end, the network will provide resources, podcasts, educational materials, self-help groups and counseling to those who need it, mitigating the negative impact of excessive gambling. In addition, the OGTN offers services for people who have a loved one affected by gambling. This includes a guide on addressing concerns, as well as a free e-book for coping when gambling causes relationship strain.
The First Standalone Telehealth Program of Its Kind
The idea for the OGTN was first proposed ahead of the launch of sports betting in Ohio last year. Now a reality, the network comes just in time for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
According to Derek Longmeier, executive director of the PGNO, roughly 2 in 5 of those struggling with problem gambling contemplate suicide. The same number of affected also struggle with drug issues, while 4 in 5 experience anxiety and depression.
Through the launch of the OGTN, Longmeier and his team hope to show people that problem gambling isn’t a one-way road and that help is available across Ohio. Longmeier furthermore hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and recovery and encourage people to actively seek the help they need.
Longmeier added that the OGTN will leverage experienced clinicians who are aware of the specifics of gambling-related problems and certified in dealing with them. According to him, the OGTN is the first standalone telehealth problem gambling counseling network in the US.
In the meantime, Ohioan lawmakers continue to eye further industry expansion opportunities. Sen. Niraj Antani is looking to legalize online casino gaming including online poker and slot machines, asserting that the launch of iGaming is “the next logical step” for the state.
