Gambling With The Good Life

You Are Not Alone

Help Is Available Right Now.

If gambling is causing harm in your life or the life of someone you love, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Nebraska Problem Gambling Helpline1-800-522-4700Free & Confidential — 24/7

In Crisis Right Now?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger due to gambling-related crisis, please reach out to one of these resources immediately.

Problem Gambling Helpline

1-800-522-4700

Free, confidential, 24/7

National Suicide Hotline

988

Call or text anytime

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

Free 24/7 text support

Nebraska Treatment Resources

These organizations provide professional treatment for gambling disorder in Nebraska. All offer confidential services.

Nebraska Problem Gambling Assistance Program

State-funded program providing free assessment, counseling, and treatment referrals for problem gamblers and their families across Nebraska.

1-800-560-8226Visit DHHS Nebraska

Gamblers Anonymous Nebraska

Free peer support meetings across Nebraska for anyone with a gambling problem. No dues or fees — just a desire to stop gambling.

Find a Meeting Near You

Gam-Anon Nebraska

Support groups for family members and friends of compulsive gamblers. Meetings available across Nebraska.

Find Gam-Anon Meetings

National Council on Problem Gambling

National helpline and treatment locator. Find certified gambling counselors in Nebraska and across the country.

1-800-522-4700Find a Counselor

Self-Help Tools

These free tools can help you assess your gambling, set limits, and take the first steps toward recovery.

Self-Assessment Quiz

Answer 20 questions to assess whether your gambling may be a problem. Anonymous and confidential.

Take the Quiz

Gambling Diary

Track your gambling activity, spending, and triggers. Awareness is the first step to change.

Download the Diary

App Blocking Tools

Block gambling apps and websites on your devices. Gamban and BetBlocker are free tools that work across all devices.

Get BetBlocker Free

For Family Members

Gambling disorder affects the whole family. These resources are specifically for spouses, parents, children, and friends of problem gamblers.

Gam-Anon

Support groups for families of compulsive gamblers

National Council on Problem Gambling — Family Resources

Guides for families navigating a loved one's gambling disorder

Nebraska DHHS Family Support

State resources for families affected by problem gambling

Faith Community Resources

Resources for Clergy & Faith Communities

Pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, and faith leaders are often the first people a struggling gambler or their family turns to. This page equips you with denominational guidance, sermon resources, pastoral counseling frameworks, and practical tools to identify, support, and refer those affected by problem gambling in your congregation.

Official Denominational Positions on Gambling

Each major faith tradition has addressed gambling through official statements, resolutions, or pastoral letters. These links connect you directly to your denomination's authoritative guidance.

Homilies & Sermon Guides

The following draft homilies and sermon outlines are provided as starting points for Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and other Christian faith communities. Each is grounded in scripture and denominational teaching. Adapt freely to your congregation's context.

Pastoral Counseling Frameworks

These frameworks help clergy provide compassionate, effective pastoral care to parishioners struggling with gambling disorder — and to their families. They are not a substitute for professional clinical treatment but complement it.

Screening & Intervention Tools

These tools help clergy identify parishioners who may be struggling with problem gambling and guide them toward appropriate help.

How to Refer a Parishioner

Knowing when and how to refer a parishioner to professional help is one of the most important skills a pastor can develop. Here is a step-by-step guide.

1

Recognize the limits of pastoral care

Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health condition (DSM-5, ICD-10 F63.0). Pastoral care is vital but is not a substitute for clinical treatment. Your role is to support, not to treat.

2

Make the referral warm, not cold

Don't just hand someone a phone number. Say: "I'd like to connect you with someone who specializes in this. Would it be okay if I called them with you right now?" A warm referral dramatically increases follow-through.

3

Nebraska Problem Gambling Helpline

Call 1-800-522-4700 together. The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7. They can connect your parishioner with a local certified gambling counselor and treatment resources.

4

Gamblers Anonymous

GA is a peer support fellowship modeled on AA's 12-step program. Many parishioners find the spiritual dimension of GA compatible with their faith. Find Nebraska meetings at gamblersanonymous.org.

5

Gam-Anon for families

Gam-Anon is a support group for family members and friends of problem gamblers. Encourage spouses and family members to attend independently of whether their loved one seeks help.

6

Stay connected after the referral

The referral is not the end of your pastoral relationship — it is a new chapter. Continue to check in, pray with them, and celebrate their progress. Your ongoing presence matters enormously.

Congregational Action

Your congregation can take a public stand against the expansion of gambling in Nebraska. Here are practical steps your faith community can take right now.

Preach on gambling this Sunday

Use one of the sermon guides above to address gambling from the pulpit. Congregations that hear their pastor speak on an issue are far more likely to act on it.

Include the helpline in your bulletin

Add "Nebraska Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 — Free, Confidential, 24/7" to your weekly bulletin. Someone in your congregation may need it today.

Distribute Vote No materials

Contact Gambling With The Good Life to request Vote No on 440 & 441 materials — yard signs, bulletin inserts, and flyers — for distribution to your congregation.

Host a community forum

Invite a speaker from GWTGL or the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling to present to your congregation on the harms of gambling expansion and the resources available.

Sign the Faith Leaders Statement

Add your name and congregation to the growing list of Nebraska faith leaders who publicly oppose Initiatives 440 & 441. Contact us at info@gamblingwiththegoodlife.com.

Join the interfaith coalition

Connect with other faith leaders across Nebraska who are working together to protect families from gambling expansion. Strength in numbers — and in unity across denominations.

Ready to take a public stand? Contact us to sign the Faith Leaders Statement or request materials.

Contact GWTGL

Family Support Guidance

Families of problem gamblers often come to clergy before they go anywhere else. Here is how to help them.

Gam-Anon International

Support groups for family members and friends of problem gamblers. Meetings available in Nebraska and online.

Find a Gam-Anon Meeting

National Council on Problem Gambling — Family Resources

Guides, helplines, and resources specifically for families affected by problem gambling.

NCPG Family Resources

Nebraska Family Helpline

The Nebraska Problem Gambling Helpline serves family members as well as gamblers. Call together or separately.

1-800-522-4700

Not sure if it's a problem?

Learn the Warning Signs

Our guide covers 53 warning signs across six categories — financial, behavioral, emotional, and more.

Know the Signs