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State of Play’s TL;DR
- Arizona is offering no-cost financial counseling to self-excluded gamblers.
- The record number of residents who have self-excluded over the last year prompted the move.
Arizona is expanding responsible gambling support by offering no-cost financial counseling to people in the state’s voluntary self-exclusion program.
The move follows a record 651 self-exclusions in Fiscal Year 2026, underscoring how financial recovery is becoming a bigger part of player-protection efforts.
The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling said the counseling will be provided through GamFin, a state-contracted provider. Previously, financial counseling had been available only to people in the state’s Treatment Assistance Program.
Rebuilding financial life part of recovery
Under the expanded program, each client works with a financial counselor in a confidential, non-judgmental setting. Initial sessions are virtual and focus on immediate financial priorities and longer-term goals.
Follow-up sessions can cover budgeting, debt management, rebuilding damaged credit, and long-term financial stability, said division Director Elise Mikkelsen.
“Financial harm is one of the most significant problem gambling impacts felt today.”
GamFin founder Alex De Marco added:
“Choosing to self-exclude is a real act of commitment, but ending gambling doesn’t erase the financial harm it may have caused. Rebuilding your financial life is part of recovery – not something that can be set aside for later.”
Record self-exclusions highlight growing use of player-protection tools
Arizona said the people who enrolled in self-exclusion program over the last year had gambling problems related to casino gaming, event wagering, daily fantasy sports contests, or all of those state-regulated options. The 651 requests set a new state record and show that residents are taking advantage of the responsible gambling resources available in the state.
People who self-exclude in Arizona can choose a one-year, five-year, or 10-year ban. The counseling expansion comes after the Arizona Department of Gaming launched its public awareness campaign, “Take Back the Game.”
The update is a reminder that self-exclusion programs are increasingly being paired with recovery services, not just access restrictions. Arizona directs residents seeking self-exclusion or counseling information to gaming.az.gov/exclude.
Based on reporting by Jovany Hernandez for WVOA Tucson.
