Problem Gambling Treatment in North Carolina

Casino gaming: Land-based casino gaming is only permitted on tribal lands, with ownership and operation only permitted to federally recognized Native American tribes.  At present, North Carolina has three casinos. Online casino gaming is not legal, although social and sweepstakes casinos are allowed, despite being associated with the same mental and behavioral health harms as traditional “real money” gambling. Offshore casino platforms are also accessible to NC residents despite the state’s firm assertion that participation is illegal and considered a misdemeanor.

Online sports betting: In June of 2023, Governor Roy Cooper signed HB 347 into law, legalizing sports betting in the state. This was followed by the legalization of online sports betting in the following year. To date, one-dozen online sportsbooks are allowed to serve residents, while  eight brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are found within NC sports arenas and stadiums.

Young adults face the brunt of the gambling and sports betting crisis in America, and those within North Carolina are bearing the burden as well. While 5.5% of all North Carolina adults at risk for gambling disorder, a recent East Carolina University study uncovered the following among the state’s younger (and more vulnerable) population:

• Approximately 58% of North Carolina respondents gambled in the past year
• 13% of North Carolina respondents reporting gambling on a monthly basis or more
• 12.8% of male undergraduate students are at significantly higher risk of developing gambling disorder
• Students of the age 21 and up gamble at higher rates (61.9%) however more than half of underage students (18-20) gambled in the past year
• 60% of undergraduate students in North Carolina perceive gambling to be at least a minor issue on their campus

Further, NC residents share the following gambling addiction statistics with the rest of the United States:

• 20% of sports bettors are in or have been in debt from sports betting ( source )
• Average gambling addict (male) debt is between $55,000 and $90,000 ( source )
• About 3% of problem gamblers in the USA are $300,000 in debt due to their addiction ( source )
• Nearly 15% of problem gamblers have committed a crime to support their addiction ( source )
• Divorce rate for habitual gamblers is 31% compared to 21% for those who rarely gamble ( source )
• Suicide rate is 16 times higher for problem gamblers ( source )

Kindbridge provides effective treatment in a virtual (online or by-phone) environment. Our counselors are accessible, whether you’re in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Rocky Mount, Mooresville, New Bern, Statesville, Wilmington, or any of the other cities, towns, and communities within the Tar Heel State.

In addition to problem gambling, Kindbridge counselors have expertise treating other mental/behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact nearly 45% of the population in NC. When seeking support from Kindbridge, you have the option to choose from one-on-one therapy, group therapy, or a combined approach. You also have the option to switch therapists at anytime, should you feel as that a better match is available.

A problematic relationship with casino gaming os sports betting also has an impact on loved ones. In addition to gambling addiction treatment for individuals in NC, Kindbridge provides couples and family counseling.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online and telehealth counseling. Problem gambling treatment rates and subscriptions can be found here. NC residents may also qualify for direct billing through our insurance partners.