Gambling With The Good Life
Predatory gambling is a public health crisis in Nebraska. We expose the devastating human cost that the gambling industry spends millions to hide — and we fight back.
Urgent — November Ballot
Protect our kids from Internet Gambling Apps on their phones.
Initiatives 440 and 441 would bring predatory internet gambling apps directly to the phones of Nebraska's children and teenagers. The gambling industry has spent millions to put these measures on the ballot. Nebraska families must say no.
If gambling apps are already on your phone — or you're worried about a family member — you can take action today. Blocking access is one of the most effective first steps toward recovery. Here are three proven methods:
On most regulated gambling markets you can apply for a self-exclusion program. Once registered, you are automatically blocked from all licensed gambling websites and apps. Contact the Nebraska Lottery or any casino you have used and request a formal self-exclusion — they are legally required to close your account.
Install a dedicated gambling-block app on every device. Top options include Gamban (blocks gambling sites and trading platforms), BetBlocker (free, works on mobile and desktop), and Gamblock. These apps block gambling sites instantly — if you try to visit one, you will only see a message saying access is denied.
Email every online casino you have used and tell them you have a gambling problem. By law they must close your account. If a casino operates multiple brands, one email closes all of them. Also ask your bank to block gambling transactions — many banks offer this service at no charge.
Recommended Blocking Apps
Also: Block Gambling Ads on Facebook
Go to Account Settings & Privacy → Settings → Ads Settings. From there you can hide ads from gambling advertisers so they no longer appear in your feed — an important step for anyone in recovery, since gambling ads are a known relapse trigger.
Important: Blocking apps are a powerful first step, but they don't address the underlying causes of addiction. Studies show 80% of participants still report strong gambling urges after 6 months of self-exclusion alone. Combine blocking tools with professional counseling and peer support for the best chance at lasting recovery.
Our Mission
Gambling With The Good Life is a Nebraska-based nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to informing families, communities, and policymakers about the real consequences of predatory gambling. We follow the science, amplify the stories, and demand accountability from the gambling industry and the legislators who enable it.
Meet Our Founder
Founder & Executive Director
Pat Loontjer has spent decades fighting predatory gambling in Nebraska. A tireless community organizer and grandmother, Pat built this movement from the ground up — knocking on doors, testifying before the Unicameral, and giving a voice to the families the gambling industry would rather keep silent. She is proof that one determined Nebraskan can take on a billion-dollar industry.
"This isn't about being anti-fun. It's about protecting Nebraska families from an industry that profits from addiction and suffering."
From the Research Library
Decades of peer-reviewed research document the catastrophic effects of problem gambling. Here are three studies every Nebraska policymaker — and every family — should read.
Meta-analysis of 34 studies confirms problem gamblers face dramatically elevated suicide risk compared to the general population.
Read Study →Documents the cascading financial destruction — bankruptcy, foreclosure, and debt — that follows a gambling disorder diagnosis.
Read Study →Reveals how modern slot machines are deliberately engineered to exploit psychological vulnerabilities and maximize addictive behavior.
Read Study →Personal Stories
"My husband lost our retirement savings, our house, and nearly his life before we understood what we were dealing with. The casino knew exactly what it was doing."
"I watched my son transform from a loving father into someone I didn't recognize. Slot machines took everything from him — and the industry called it entertainment."
"We lost four years of our lives to his addiction. The gambling industry profits from this suffering. Someone has to say it out loud."
The Fight Is at the Capitol
In 2020, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing casino gambling at horse racing tracks. Since then, the gambling industry has poured millions into lobbying the Unicameral Legislature to expand its reach and limit consumer protections. We are here to make sure the voices of Nebraska families are heard in that building.
Nebraska Legislation & Advocacy
Following the 2020 constitutional amendment legalizing casino gambling, Nebraska lawmakers are grappling with how to regulate an industry that generated over $200 million in its first full year — while problem gambling calls to the state helpline have climbed sharply.
Read More →A bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature would mandate that a percentage of casino tax revenue be directed to problem gambling treatment and prevention programs — a measure the industry has lobbied against.
Read More →The Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling documented a dramatic rise in calls to its helpline in the two years following the opening of the state's first licensed casinos, raising urgent questions about the adequacy of treatment resources.
Read More →Take Action
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Need Help Now?
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
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