For more than 20 years, Cascadia Health has provided problem gambling treatment—helping change lives, restore hope, and promote lasting recovery. This includes individual counseling, group therapy and other support groups, couples and family therapy, help for friends, and online counseling. In addition, there are other resources available in Oregon through Oregon Problem Gambling Resource, as well as nationally.

Each March, we look to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services available locally and nationally. We understand that addictive gambling can be relentless, especially with the rise of online sports betting, and other popular types of gambling like casinos, lottery or scratch-off tickets, raffles, and more.

The 2026 Problem Gambling Awareness Month theme, “Caring Communities, Stronger Futures,” emphasizes the importance of a community driven approach to problem gambling awareness and support. When a community comes together – friends, families, educators, healthcare providers, local partners, and policymakers – silence is replaced with support, and isolation is replaced with connection.

We also know that the first step is recognizing and acknowledging a potential or existing gambling issue. In Oregon, an estimated 5.4% of adults and adolescents are at risk of developing a problem with gambling. And for each person with a serious gambling problem, many others are affected. To that end, there are things we can do to help ourselves or others we know recognize a potential gambling problem.

Screening Tools: Cascadia Health developed a quick and easy set of screening questions you can use to assess your relationship to gambling. In addition, there are many local and national screening tools and other resources available.

 It’s okay to ask for help. Below are additional ways to reach out.

Make the Call:

• Cascadia Health: 503-674-7777
• Problem Gambling Hotline: 877-MY-LIMIT (877-695-4648) or text 503-713-6000
• National Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or text 800GAM

Learn more:

Gambling has been around for a very long time. Probably right after sports and games were invented, betting on them followed right behind.

But today, gambling on sports has never been easier, bigger and more in your face.

If you follow sports today, you are inundated by ads and inundated by broadcasters and massive networks trying to get you to place a bet. And unlike yesteryear, when you needed a bookie or needed to go to a place where betting was legal, your phone is all you need to bet and bet and bet again.

On this edition of Oregon On The Record, you’re going to hear from a University of Oregon instructor whose an expert on sports betting and the business behind it, and also a counselor who helps treat people whose betting has become a huge problem.

For many sports gambling is just a fun pastime, but for others it can become the ultimate loss.