2025 Gambling Disorder Screening Day
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this critical effort. By uniting against problem gambling, we can create a healthier, more informed community.”
An individual with a host organization expresses excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in Gambling Disorder Screening Day.
Organizations across the Commonwealth came together on March 11 to participate in Gambling Disorder Screening Day.
Community members were invited to be screened for problem gambling and receive educational resources on prevention and treatment. Some sites also provided direct referral services for individuals who were screened positive to be immediately referred to an outpatient service in their area.
Screening efforts continued throughout March, and OPGS is excited to announce that there will be a second round of screening days hosted at additional sites in April!
OPGS invested $235,000 across 47 organizations who hosted screening events. These efforts resulted in approximately 10,000 individuals engaging with problem gambling education and resources.
Total individuals engaged at all events: 9,672
Total individuals screened for problem gambling at all events: 2,520
Total individuals with a positive screen (answered “yes” to at least one BBGS question): 499
Total referrals provided (based on 21 respondents): 425
“Some of our cooperative members and I tabled at the Community Center during pantry hours. We talked to people about the purpose of the event and screened those that were willing to participate. We screened 40 individuals and found 10 positive screens. Some of those participants were willing to speak to us further and did so, others accepted additional information to connect with assistance later on. This event really opened a safe space for participants to explore this topic of problem gambling in a non-judgmental way.”
A host organization participant shares the value and impact of Gambling Disorder Screening Day.
Want to learn more? Check out our website at mass.gov/orgs/office-of-problem-gambling-services
© 2022 MA Office of Problem Gambling Services
