The Washington State Gambling Commission is committed to the encouragement of responsible gaming practices.

Confidential help is available 24 hours a day, if you believe you or someone you know may have a problem with gambling. Call 800.547.6133 or chat online.

The State Problem Gambling Program offers a low-barrier problem gambling treatment for individuals and their loved ones who are affected by problem gambling/Gambling Disorder (DSM5). Reimbursement for treatment by Certified Gambling Counselors is provided to contracted provider agencies. State Problem Gambling Website

Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling

ECPG is a private, not-for-profit organization offering programs and services for problem and compulsive gambling in Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. View ECPG's problem gambling poster.

New Statewide Self-Exclusion Program

On May 1, 2022, the Washington State Gambling Commission implemented a new uniform self-exclusion program that allows you to voluntarily exclude yourself from gambling at multiple cardrooms and non-tribal casinos statewide by submitting one self-exclusion form to the state. Read more about self-exclusion here.

Problem Gambling Task Force

During the 2019 legislative session, the Legislature appropriated $100,000 for the formation of a joint legislative task force on problem gambling. The task force will complete a comprehensive review of current problem gambling funding, services, programs, and policies. The task force will be responsible for providing recommendations to the Legislature on how to assist problem gamblers.

Problem Gambling Task Force Final Report to the Legislature 

Problem Gambling Task Force Final Report Appendices

PGTF's Interim Report to the Legislature (Nov 2020)

Problem Gambling Study

The Gambling Commission’s mission is to protect the public by ensuring gambling is legal and honest. Two significant ways to fulfill this mission are to promote effective responsible gaming policies in our gambling industry and advocate for effective problem gambling programs and services for people who wish to address their gambling disorder. The Gambling Commission has worked with the Legislature, tribes, the gambling industry, Washington State Problem Gambling Program, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, and problem gambling behavioral health providers to educate ourselves on problem gambling topics and look for effective policies and programs that will benefit the regulated gambling industry and improve the lives of people suffering from gambling disorders.

In its 2018-19 supplemental operating budget, the Legislature included a provision – Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6032 – directing the Washington State Gambling Commission to contract for a study to survey the scope of services available for pathological and problem gamblers and their families, and analyze current prevention, treatment and recovery programs and services in our state. The Legislature required the Gambling Commission to submit the results of the study and provide policy recommendations to improve problem gambling services and programs to the Legislature by February 15, 2019.

The Gambling Commission contracted with researchers from the University of Washington’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Washington State University’s Carson College of Business to conduct the study. In developing the study, we determined that it would focus on two problem gambling topics—responsible gaming and behavioral health services. Therefore, this study reviews and analyzes current responsible gaming practices among Washington’s gambling industry. It also reviews and analyzes prevention, treatment, and recovery services for pathological and problem gamblers in Washington. This comprehensive approach provides information and guidance for the gambling industry, including gambling regulators, and behavioral health providers while meeting the Legislature’s objective for this study.

This problem gambling study is a significant positive step towards better addressing problem gambling in our state. It is important for the state to review current responsible gaming and problem gambling policies. We hope this study’s results and recommendations will allow our state to move forward and update current responsible gaming practices, where needed, and strengthen the state’s commitment to promoting and protecting the public health of those suffering from a gambling disorder.

There is a comprehensive set of responsible gaming and problem gambling results and recommendations. Additionally, there are many areas for improvement in responsible gaming practices and problem gambling public health services.

Gambling and Problem Gambling in Washington State

Gambling Disorder Definition

The following are the diagnostic criteria of Gambling Disorder as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5):

Diagnostic criteria

A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12­month period:
a. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
b. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
c. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
d. Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling
experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with
which to gamble).
e. Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
f. After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
g. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
h. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity
because of gambling.
i. Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

B. The gambling behavior is not better explained by a manic episode.
Specify if:
Episodic: Meeting diagnostic criteria at more than one time point, with symptoms subsiding
between periods of gambling disorder for at least several months.
Persistent: Experiencing continuous symptoms, to meet diagnostic criteria for multiple years.
Specify if:
In early remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria
for gambling disorder have been met for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months.
In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the
criteria for gambling disorder have been met during a period of 12 months or longer.
Specify current severity:
Mild: 4–5 criteria met.
Moderate: 6–7 criteria met.
Severe: 8–9 criteria met.

Self Assessment

Are you concerned that about a potential gambling problem? Take the ten-question self-assessment provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling.