First: the gambling, not the debt

Every plan to repay gambling debt fails if the gambling continues. It is the same reason a budget does not fix an active addiction. Before negotiating a single payment, put barriers in place: delete apps, close accounts, self-exclude, hand the money to someone you trust. Our how to stop gambling guide walks through it.

Second: stop new debt

• No new credit cards, personal loans, payday loans or cash advances
• No borrowing from family "to cover one thing"
• No 401(k) withdrawals or loans without talking to a counselor first
• Freeze your credit at the three bureaus so new accounts cannot be opened impulsively

Third: get the full picture on paper

Every account, every balance, every minimum payment, every person you owe. Most people in active gambling have never added it up. The number is usually worse than they feared and more manageable than they assumed, because a real number can be worked with.

Fourth: talk to creditors before they talk to you

Creditors would rather be paid slowly than not at all. Call before accounts go to collections. Ask about hardship programs, reduced interest or payment plans. A nonprofit credit counseling agency can consolidate these conversations into one plan. Arizona also funds free financial counseling for people affected by problem gambling; ask at 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

Fifth: do not chase

The belief that one big win will fix everything is the engine of the disorder, and it is how a $20,000 problem becomes a $200,000 problem. Research on millions of U.S. credit reports found bankruptcies rose roughly 25 to 30 percent in states within a few years of legalizing online sports betting. Read our summary of that research.

What treatment does about money

At Outpost, financial recovery will be part of the program, not a referral. Clients will build a full debt inventory, set up accountability with a trusted person, plan communication with creditors and learn the thinking patterns (chasing, minimizing, magical thinking about a win) that keep debt growing. Families will get their own sessions, because they are usually carrying the financial fear too.

Frequently asked questions