Arizona Expands Free Financial Counseling to Self-Excluded Residents
Expertise: US Gaming, European Gaming Industry, iGaming
PHOENIX: Arizona has expanded free financial counseling to residents enrolled in its voluntary gambling self-exclusion program. The change gives people stepping away from gambling access to help with debt, budgeting, damaged credit and long-term financial recovery.
The service is provided by GamFin under a state contract and is available in a confidential setting at no cost to eligible participants. Financial counseling was previously limited to people enrolled in Arizona’s Treatment Assistance Program.
Self-Excluded Residents Gain Access to Counseling
Under the expansion, each participant is scheduled for an initial virtual session with a financial counselor experienced in gambling-related harm. The first meeting is used to identify immediate financial priorities and establish longer-term recovery goals.
Later sessions may address household budgeting, debt management, credit rebuilding and safeguards intended to support financial stability. The Arizona Department of Gaming announcement did not specify a limit on the number of sessions available to each participant.
“Financial harm is one of the most significant problem gambling impacts felt today,” Division of Problem Gambling Director Elise Mikkelsen said. She added that broader access would strengthen the state’s support system by giving more residents practical tools while they continue their recovery.
The program is intended to address financial consequences that may remain after a participant stops gambling. Self-exclusion can restrict access to regulated gambling, but it does not resolve existing loans, unpaid bills, depleted savings or damaged credit.
Expansion Follows Record Self-Exclusion Enrollment
Arizona reported that 651 residents enrolled in voluntary self-exclusion during fiscal 2026, which the department described as a record. Participants excluded themselves from casino gaming, event wagering, daily fantasy sports contests or all three regulated categories.
Residents can select exclusion periods of one, five or 10 years. During that period, they may not participate in the gambling activities covered by their enrollment and are subject to the restrictions attached to the state program.
The financial counseling expansion follows Arizona’s Take Back the Game awareness campaign, which promoted self-exclusion through television, radio and digital advertising. The campaign was designed to present exclusion as a practical protective measure and direct more residents toward available support.
GamFin founder Alex De Marco said ending gambling does not erase the financial damage that may have already occurred. He said rebuilding personal finances should be treated as part of recovery rather than a separate issue to be addressed later.
Responsible Gambling
Arizona Survey Finds Gambling Harm Among Nearly One in Five Adults
Jul 21, 2026Residents Can Begin Enrollment Online
Arizona residents can review the exclusion options and begin the process through the Department of Gaming’s official self-exclusion resource. The same page provides access to the financial counseling signup process for eligible participants.
The Division of Problem Gambling also maintains a confidential helpline for individuals affected by gambling and their family members, friends or coworkers. Assistance is available around the clock by calling 1-800-NEXT-STEP, texting NEXTSTEP to 53342 or using the chat service at problemgambling.az.gov.
The department has not announced an enrollment target for the expanded counseling service. Its next measure of impact will be whether more self-excluded residents use the financial support and remain engaged as they address the consequences of harmful gambling.
RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling
