Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025If you’re seeking help for gambling addiction in Denver, you’re in the right place. MiResource connects you with trusted therapists, support groups, and treatment programs nearby, so you can find compassionate, evidence-based care and start recovery with guidance that fits your needs.
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Gambling, Self-Esteem, Anger Issues.
Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & sport performance enhancement
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Jacob Cooper is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined. They treat Gambling, Peer Difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Dr. Cooper is an authentic and relational sport psychologist with 10+ years of experience with professional athletes, olympians, and US. special forces.
Psychologist
1845 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202
Shelly Reed is a Psychologist in Mesa, Arizona and has been in practice for 17 years. They treat Gambling, Alcohol Use, Substance Use.
Don't be shy...I've heard it all ;) I offer a warm and non-judgmental space to work through the things that have been holding you back.
Sport Psychologist
Remote only
Scott Goldman is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined. They treat Gambling, Life Transitions, Anger Issues.
Performance and Clinical Psychology is about understanding and amplifying human behavior and human interaction.
Counselor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Licensed Psychological Examiner-Independent
9826 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Lynn Luna Jones is a Counselor in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and has been in practice for 20 years. They treat Gambling, Disability, Bipolar Disorder.
I am a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment. I am able to administer many types of psychological tests.
Psychologist
1666 East Olive Way, Seattle, Washington 98102
Sergio Flores is a Psychologist in Seattle, Washington and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat Gambling, Life Transitions, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Compassionate, evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, addiction, and life changes. I warmly welcome clients from all backgrounds and identities.
Gambling addiction often starts as a way to feel a quick lift, calm anxious feelings, or escape stress, then gradually becomes a habit that’s hard to shut off even when it causes problems. Early experiences—like inconsistent caregiving, harsh or overly permissive parenting, or growing up around money instability—can shape how someone copes with big feelings and risk, making the “rush” of gambling feel especially soothing. Insecure attachment patterns can make wins feel like rare moments of safety or approval, while losses trigger urgent efforts to “make it right.” If gambling was normalized at home or used as family fun, the behavior can feel familiar and less risky. None of this is a personal flaw; it’s a learned pattern reinforced by how the brain’s reward system responds. In Denver, easy access to online betting and quick trips to Black Hawk or Central City can add to that reinforcement loop.
Gambling-related problems can show up differently across the lifespan: in childhood as intense focus on games of chance or loot-box spending, in adolescence as secretive sports betting or chasing losses, and in adulthood as mounting debt, work distraction, or conflicts at home. Stressors in daily life—family tension, school pressure, relationship strain, job insecurity, or shift-work fatigue—can intensify urges and reduce impulse control. In Denver, payday timing, heavy local sports seasons, and targeted sportsbook ads can spike symptoms, especially around big Broncos, Nuggets, or Avs games. Social settings that center on gambling, or friends who bet regularly, can make cutting back feel isolating. Symptoms often ebb and flow with stress, access, and mood rather than willpower alone. Recognizing these patterns helps people find practical supports and kinder strategies for change.
Daily life can feel like a tug‑of‑war between good intentions and urges that pop up during quiet moments, at lunch breaks, or when a Denver team is playing and betting ads are everywhere. You might find yourself dodging money talks with a partner or giving vague answers, which can create distance even when you care deeply. Confidence can dip after a loss or a close call, making it harder to trust yourself and speak up at work or with friends. As a parent, you may feel torn between being present at kids’ activities and the pull to check scores or apps, and community outings—like a night in LoDo or a trip to Black Hawk—can feel both social and risky.
- Agreeing on clear money check‑ins with a partner to lower stress and surprises
- Setting screen or app limits during family time or games
- Choosing social plans that don’t center on betting (parks, museums, neighborhood events)
- Reaching out to trusted people or local supports when urges spike, especially around big Denver sports moments
Noticing patterns early can help you or someone you love get support without shame. Gambling problems can affect anyone, and in Denver they may involve nearby casinos in Black Hawk/Central City or Colorado’s legal mobile sports betting—so awareness matters.
- Preoccupation with betting (thinking about odds, reliving past bets) and needing to wager more money to feel the same excitement; feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back.
- Emotional changes like anxiety, guilt, or low mood; sleep or appetite shifts; using gambling to escape stress from work, school, or Denver’s high cost of living.
- Financial red flags: unexplained debt, missing money, selling possessions, frequent payday loans, or utilities falling behind; repeated trips up to the casinos or constant use of CO sportsbook apps.
- Increasing secrecy or avoidance: hiding screens or bank statements, disappearing for hours, lying about time or losses, neglecting responsibilities at work or school.
- Strained relationships and social withdrawal; conflicts about money; loss of interest in hobbies, community events, or local sports unless tied to betting.
- Developmental clues: teens may hide betting or fantasy-sports apps, obsess over game stats, ask for money or use parents’ accounts, show big mood swings after games, skip activities or grades drop—often framed as “just for fun” rather than gambling.
Gambling addiction has many roots—biological, psychological, social, and relational—and these influences interact in complex ways over time. It’s a health condition, not a personal failure. In Denver, easy access to mobile sports betting, proximity to casinos in Black Hawk and Central City, and high everyday stressors can all add to risk, but recovery is possible with support.
- Biological: Genetic vulnerability; dopamine system sensitivity; ADHD or impulse-control differences
- Psychological: Trauma history; anxiety or depression used to “numb” or escape
- Environmental (Denver context): Ubiquitous sports-betting ads around Broncos/Nuggets games; quick trips to nearby casinos; 24/7 betting apps
- Social: Peer or workplace betting culture; financial stress from Denver’s cost of living
- Relational: Family conflict or secrecy around money; learned patterns from a loved one’s gambling
Evidence-based care for gambling addiction includes cognitive behavioral therapy to challenge gambling beliefs and build new habits, and motivational interviewing to strengthen readiness for change. Many clinicians also use DBT skills, relapse-prevention planning, and financial coaching to manage urges, high-risk situations, and money. When indicated, medications such as naltrexone for cravings or SSRIs for co-occurring depression or anxiety can support recovery plans. Trauma-informed therapy and attachment-focused work can address developmental wounds, shame, or family patterns that fuel gambling cycles. Couples or family sessions help repair trust, set boundaries, and create shared plans that support lasting change.
In Denver, people can connect with peer groups like Gamblers Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and Recovery Dharma, with in-person and virtual meetings most days. Families can find support through GAM-ANON, SMART Family & Friends, and counseling services at WellPower, Denver Health, or private practices. The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado and the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline (1-800-522-4700) can guide people to local, low-cost, or state-funded options. Wellness supports such as nonprofit credit counseling, mindfulness classes, and community recreation centers can reduce stress and improve stability. MiResource can help you filter for providers by insurance coverage, telehealth options, and location so you can find care that fits your needs and budget.
Local help for gambling problems is available across Denver, and most services are easy to reach by RTD bus and light rail. WellPower (formerly the Mental Health Center of Denver) offers therapy and recovery support, including for behavioral addictions, with locations like the Dahlia Campus for Health & Well-Being in Northeast Park Hill and clinics near Capitol Hill and West Colfax; they accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees. Denver Health Behavioral Health services and School-Based Health Centers (located in many Denver Public Schools) provide confidential counseling for teens and families, often at no cost; sites are along major corridors like Colfax, Federal, and Colorado Boulevard. Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon (for loved ones) host peer-support meetings throughout the city and nearby suburbs, including Capitol Hill, Lakewood, and Aurora—many are near light rail and frequent bus routes.
The Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado can connect you to local clinicians trained in gambling disorder and to financial counseling and recovery groups; you can also use 1-800-GAMBLER for 24/7 support and referrals. Community-based organizations such as Servicios de La Raza and Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (nearby) provide culturally responsive counseling and can link families to gambling-specific care and youth programs. For immediate support any time, call or text 988, or contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255; the Denver walk-in crisis center on East Colfax offers in-person help without an appointment. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to a nearby hospital such as Denver Health Medical Center (La Alma/Lincoln Park), Saint Joseph Hospital (Uptown), or Rose Medical Center (Hale). You’re not alone—these teams are used to helping people take practical next steps, without judgment.
Seek immediate help if you or someone else has thoughts of suicide or self-harm, is unable to stop gambling despite severe consequences (e.g., loss of housing, legal issues), shows signs of extreme agitation, paranoia, intoxication/withdrawal, or threatens harm to others. Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, or in Colorado call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 (or text TALK to 38255); you can also text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. In Denver, you can request a Colorado Crisis Services Mobile Crisis team to come to you, or go to the nearest emergency department, such as Denver Health Medical Center, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, or Saint Joseph Hospital. If there is immediate danger, call 911 and clearly state it is a mental health crisis.
- Pathological Gambling: Etiology, Comorbidity, and Treatment by Nancy M. Petry (American Psychological Association) — A clear, research-based overview of how gambling disorder develops and how it’s treated, including CBT and medications; often used by clinicians and is available through major libraries like Denver Public Library and university systems.
- Pathological Gambling: A Clinical Guide to Treatment edited by Jon E. Grant and Marc N. Potenza (American Psychiatric Publishing) — A practical, clinician-focused reference on assessment and evidence-based care that can help you talk with Denver-area providers about treatment options.
- High Stakes: The Rising Cost of America’s Gambling Addiction by Sam Skolnik (Beacon Press) — A journalistic narrative on the human and policy impacts of gambling, helpful context as Colorado’s sports betting and nearby casinos draw Denver residents into higher-risk environments.
- Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas by Natasha Dow Schüll (Princeton University Press) — An accessible deep dive into how slot machines and apps are engineered to keep people playing, offering insight that’s relevant to Black Hawk and Central City trips from Denver.
- Behind the 8-Ball: A Guide for Families of Gamblers by Linda Berman and Mary Ellen Siegel (Routledge) — A supportive guide for partners and parents on setting boundaries, protecting finances, and coping; pairs well with local help like the Colorado Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) and Denver support groups.
Taking your first step can start with a simple pause to reflect on what you need right now—what’s been hard, what you hope will change, and what kind of support feels right. Consider talking with someone you trust to share your thoughts and help you feel less alone as you decide your next move. Then explore MiResource’s directory to find a therapist in Denver who fits your needs, preferences, and schedule. Recovery and growth are possible, and getting professional support can be a life-changing way to feel better and move forward.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
