Free Financial Counseling for Ohio Residents Impacted by Gambling

The TASC™ Money Management System is a customized system emphasizing Transparency, Accountability, Simplicity, and Communication. It's designed to help you manage your money effectively, protect assets and accounts, and support your financial recovery journey.

The Financial Recovery Plan™ is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals dealing with the financial challenges of problem gambling. It includes up to two virtual sessions or phone calls each month with a financial counselor who will guide you in creating a debt repayment plan, a written spending plan, a credit report review, and a personalized Money Management System.

To begin your Financial Recovery Plan™, simply click here to get started. You can continue with your current counselor or choose a new one that fits your needs.

The GamFin team consists of Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC®) and Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), all of whom are specifically trained on how problem gambling affects finances, in addition to their general financial expertise.

We know that managing finances while recovering from problem gambling can be stressful enough. That's why we keep things simple. There's no contract, and you can cancel your plan whenever you need to, no questions asked.

We understand that bi-monthly sessions may not work for everyone's schedule or recovery needs. Our financial counselors can create a personalized schedule that suits you best. This could be two 50-minute sessions per month, four 25-minute sessions, or a customized combination of both. Our goal is to work at a pace that aligns with your recovery journey.

We truly believe everyone who needs support should have access to it. If the private pay option is a financial challenge for you, please reach out. We offer discounted rates for those who qualify, and we're happy to discuss options with you. Contact us at support@gamfin.org to learn more. Additionally, we provide free weekly online group sessions led by financial counseling experts. These sessions are a safe space to ask questions and explore financial strategies together, offering support and guidance for anyone experiencing challenges related to gambling harm.

If you're already working with a financial counselor, you can absolutely continue  with them. Let the financial counselor know you are opting into the self-pay program, and they will be sure you are matched with them!

If you're new, you can explore the website and choose a financial counselor who you feel is a good fit for your specific needs. Or, you can work with one of our knowledgeable care coordinators who can match you with the financial counselor who has the expertise and availability that best suits your needs.

Financial challenges can be overwhelming, but asking questions about how to best understand the extent of debt is a great first step to making a recovery plan for yourself or a loved one. Our financial counselors can offer advice as you gather information about gambling debt. One quick action you can take on your own is to review your family’s pay statements to be sure all earnings are coming into the household, and nothing is being placed in a hidden account. There are many other ways to uncover debt and understand the full scope of the problem. Download [our guide] for more information.

We know life gets messy sometimes. It’s especially challenging if you’re juggling debt, taxes, or retirement planning. Our financial counselors can help develop a spending plan, based on simple steps specific to your situation. NEEDS MORE CONTENT

Considering bankruptcy can be a complicated and emotional decision, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with this same situation. If you’re overwhelmed with debt, can’t keep up with payments, or if creditors are taking legal actions, you can meet with one of our financial counselors to evaluate your best options.

Discovering identity theft can be an unsettling experience, and you are probably feeling overwhelmed. This is a serious situation, but there are concrete steps you can take to keep yourself and your finances protected. First, you should immediately freeze credit to prevent further debt taken out in your name. Next, notify the casino. They will want proof of your identity.

Every family situation is unique, and it’s understandable that your first instinct in this situation is to offer your child a place to stay. However, it may be important to set clear expectations and to consider the benefits and challenges of letting your child live with you rent-free. For instance, paying your child’s rent may help them save money, and living together may also provide bonding opportunities to bring you closer and make it easier to discuss complex subjects like finances. On the other hand, this situation could also make your child too dependent on you, and it could cause stress on your own finances. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but our financial counselors are here to help parents navigate these difficult decisions.

It’s very common for a parent to want to rescue their child from financial harm. But this is a risky situation and it may depend on your specific circumstances. While making your decision, it may be helpful to ask yourself if your financial support could actually hurt your child by freeing up money for them that they can now use for gambling. To weigh the risks and benefits, subscribe to our handbook, How to manage gambling debt, or schedule a free financial counseling session with a GamFin counselor.

It can be difficult to focus on financial questions when your loved one is struggling with issues related to problem gambling, but understanding how lenders work can be a helpful way to learn about getting your loved one the help they need. Lenders don’t check for gambling habits – they focus on credit scores, income, or financial history. If gambling is causing financial strain, monitor credit to be sure no debt has been taken out in your name and help your loved one seek support for their problem gambling.

Financial hardship caused by gambling can cause severe stress that can often cloud one’s judgement. It’s not uncommon for individuals to use loans to try to gamble their way out of debt. But sadly, in most instances, gambling with borrowed money typically results in greater losses. If you’ve gambled and lost money that was loaned to you by someone you love, taking responsibility and developing a plan can be a good starting point. Our financial counselors can help you find the right approach. For some steps to get started, check out our free handbook, How to manage gambling debt, or schedule a free financial counseling session.