HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania is funding dedicated case management for problem gambling for the first time, expanding state-supported services beyond clinical treatment to help residents secure housing, transportation, child care, employment and other resources that can affect recovery, state officials reported Thursday.
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs will fund the service through Pennsylvania’s Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. The department will serve as the payor of last resort for people whose insurance does not cover case management.
The change broadens the assistance available through Pennsylvania’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. Previously, callers were offered outpatient treatment; they can now also opt for case management and receive a referral to a provider.
Case management is separate from treatment. Case managers can help individuals and families coordinate care and address non-clinical problems including transportation, child care, employment, housing, access to health care and financial literacy.
The expansion responds in part to difficulties reported by people already receiving problem gambling treatment, according to DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones.
“This is a landmark day for problem gambling services here in Pennsylvania,” Davis-Jones stated. She noted that counseling time was often being used to address non-treatment needs and described case management as a way to bridge the gap between treatment and external barriers that can interfere with recovery.
Demand for assistance has also increased. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania reported that 2025 produced a record number of people seeking help, with thousands of individuals and families contacting the state helpline.
Josh Ercole, executive director of the council, noted that the consequences of problem gambling can extend beyond financial losses.
“While financial problems often exist, many other areas of life can also be impacted, requiring a wide range of resources,” Ercole stated. He said case management could help address the different needs of affected individuals and families.
Nearly 15 case management organizations are providing services in person or virtually across Pennsylvania. The state identified providers serving Lehigh, York, Berks, Erie, Blair, Bradford, Sullivan, Indiana, Philadelphia, Montgomery, Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties.
Among them is Sobriety Solutions, which serves Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, while Caron Counseling serves Berks County. The state’s release did not identify a provider specifically serving Chester County.
Elizabeth Ward, clinical manager of Penn State Health Advancement in Recovery, described case management as a way to establish stability outside treatment.
“By connecting individuals with essential resources such as housing, transportation, food assistance, and employment support, we help create the stability they need to focus on healing and moving forward with their lives,” Ward stated.
Pennsylvanian David Yeager, who was identified by the department as being in long-term recovery from problem gambling disorder, also participated in Thursday’s announcement. He described the new service as a resource for people who may not know where to turn for help with gambling and related problems.
Residents can access case management through DDAP’s online provider locator or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER, Pennsylvania’s Problem Gambling Helpline. Callers who choose case management are referred to a provider to begin connecting with a case manager.
DDAP also works with state agencies, county drug and alcohol offices, clinicians and prevention providers on problem gambling treatment and prevention. Available resources include voluntary self-exclusion, which allows people to request exclusion from legalized gambling at casinos and offsite venues, online gaming, video gaming terminal establishments and fantasy contests.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Pennsylvania Lottery and other organizations also participate in the state’s problem gambling efforts. Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko stated that the lottery helps fund the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline and programs intended to expand problem gambling services.
More information about Pennsylvania’s problem gambling resources is available at https://ddap.pa.gov.
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