Reno residents struggling with gambling addiction now have more local options for help. The Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center is expanding its gambling addiction treatment services in Reno, Nevada, and the care is available at little to no cost.
Nevada Has a Serious Gambling Problem
Nevada has long been tied to the gaming industry, but the personal toll is significant. According to a 2025 study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s International Gaming Institute, 15% of adults in the state are at risk for problem gambling. That’s nearly one in six Nevada adults.
Access to local, in-person treatment in Reno has historically been limited, with most resources were based in Las Vegas. That is now changing.
A Growing Crisis Among Young Men
The problem is hitting one demographic especially hard. The fastest-growing group seeking help at the Problem Gambling Center (PGC) is men ages 18 to 30, who are increasingly struggling with sports betting.
The rise of mobile betting apps and online prediction markets has made gambling more accessible, and more dangerous, than ever before. When a compulsive behavior is built into a device people use every hour of every day, the risk of addiction rises sharply.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also called compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is a behavioral addiction in which a person cannot control the urge to gamble despite harmful consequences.
Unlike substance addictions, it involves no drug, but the brain’s reward system responds in similar ways.
Common signs of gambling addiction include:
- Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, or food
- Lying to family or friends about gambling activity
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back
- Chasing losses with bigger bets
- Using gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or depression
If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, professional help is available.
What the Problem Gambling Center Offers in Reno
The PGC is currently running a hybrid model in Reno, combining telehealth with in-person one-on-one sessions.
As the Reno client base grows, the center plans to expand into a full Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), the same model already running successfully in Las Vegas.
The results speak for themselves. The national success rate for stopping gambling after one year is roughly 8 to 10%, but the PGC reports a 51% success rate for its clients. That’s more than five times the national average.
Free Gambling Addiction Treatment in Reno
Cost is one of the biggest barriers to seeking addiction treatment, but it shouldn’t be here. The center is state-funded, making services available at no cost, with only an optional $10 copay. There is no financial reason to delay getting help.
Finding Gambling Addiction Treatment in Reno Nevada
If you or someone you love is showing signs of gambling addiction, don’t wait for the problem to grow. Reno now has dedicated, professional support available.
To reach the Problem Gambling Center’s Reno office directly, call (775) 451-5955 or visit gamblingproblems.org.
Addictions.com also lists verified rehab centers near you in Nevada. Call
800-681-1058
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