Pennsylvania residents struggling with problem gambling can now receive help addressing housing, transportation, employment and other needs through a new statewide case management program that includes a Berks County provider.
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs announced this week that Caron Counseling is among nearly 15 organizations providing the newly funded case management services across the state. Caron Counseling will serve Berks County.
The program expands the assistance available through Pennsylvania’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. Previously, callers were offered outpatient treatment. They will now be offered both outpatient treatment and case management services.
Case management is separate from treatment and is intended to address other challenges that can affect an individual’s recovery. Case managers can help connect people and their families with transportation, child care, employment and housing resources, health care providers, financial literacy services and other support.
“This is a landmark day for problem gambling services here in Pennsylvania. The addition of case management services is in direct response to what we’ve heard from Pennsylvanians receiving treatment for problem gambling – much of their counseling time was being spent trying to address their non-treatment needs because all too often individuals have lost everything before entering treatment,” DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones said.
“By offering case management, we will help bridge the gap between treatment and outside factors that can affect someone’s ability to recover by providing a consistent point of support to help navigate available resources and barriers to care,” Davis-Jones said.
The services are funded through Pennsylvania’s Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. DDAP will serve as the payor of last resort for people whose insurance does not cover case management.
Residents seeking assistance can call 1-800-GAMBLER or use DDAP’s online case management locator. Those who choose case management through the helpline will be referred to a provider to begin connecting with a case manager.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, which administers the state helpline, said gambling participation in Pennsylvania has increased and that 2025 brought the highest number of people seeking help, with thousands of individuals and families contacting the helpline.
“When people think of gambling problems, money is often the first thing that comes to mind. While financial problems often exist, many other areas of life can also be impacted, requiring a wide range of resources,” CCGP Executive Director Josh Ercole said. “Having case management services available for problem gambling will help to better address the specific needs of individuals and families across the Commonwealth.”
The state also offers other problem gambling resources, including voluntary self-exclusion programs that allow individuals to request exclusion from certain legalized gambling activities, including casinos, online gaming, video gaming terminal establishments and fantasy contests.
Additional information about Pennsylvania’s problem gambling resources is available through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
