Responsible Gambling

Voluntary Exclusion Program Applications

Individuals seeking to enroll in the Ohio Voluntary Exclusion Program, as well as those seeking to remove themselves from the program, can do so in person at the Commission’s offices located at each of the casino properties. We are currently not accepting applications at our central office in downtown Columbus; however, remote options are available. Please call 614-387-5693 for more information.

In response to current public health guidance, we are asking all individuals who come to our offices to please adhere to the following:

Facial covering is required while in the offices.
Maintain appropriate social distancing from others while in the offices.
Please conduct a self-screening before entering our offices. If your self-screening causes any concerns, please refrain from entering our offices and call us to inquire about alternative methods of completing voluntary exclusion applications. Some items to consider during the self-screening are:
- Identifying whether you have any respiratory symptoms, including a cough or shortness of breath;
- Experiencing any other symptoms of COVID-19 recognized by the CDC that are not otherwise explained by a known condition other than COVID-19 within the last 14 days; and;
- Whether you have either: (a) recently travelled internationally, or (b) been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Request for Voluntary Exclusion
Request for Removal from Voluntary Exclusion

(Note: VEP applications or removals must be completed in person with State personnel)

Mental Health and COVID-19

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services have recently announced changes to increase access to Tele-Health services as part of ongoing efforts to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

More information on Medicare Tele-Health can be found here.

Additionally, Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is making a daily telephone meeting available to those GA members who have been informed that their regular meeting facilities have been closed due to COVID-19. A telephone conference call meeting will occur everyday at 9:00 PM EDT, lasting for 2 hours. These meetings are designated as approved GA meetings. These meetings are scheduled to continue through the end of March but may be extended, if required.

Call in details are below, along with an email for those with questions or needing additional information.
Sunday 9pm (712-770-5338; meeting code 836083#) – Sunday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Monday 9pm (712-770-4925; meeting code 554671#) – Monday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Tuesday 9pm (712-770-4943; meeting code 253824#) – Tuesday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Wednesday 9pm (712-770-4160; meeting code 611704#) – Wednesday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Thursday 9pm (712-770-4981; meeting code 872853#) – Thursday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Friday 9pm (712-770-4996; meeting code 595094#) – Friday9PMHelp@gmail.com
Saturday 9pm (712-770-5335; meeting code 491301#) – Saturday9PMHelp@gmail.com

Do You Have A Gambling Problem?

Here are some warning signs.

Do you:

Find yourself reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble?
Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to feel the excitement?
Become restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?
Gamble as a way of escaping from problems or relieving guilt, anxiety or depression?
Often return another day in order to get even or chase your losses after gambling?
Lie to family members, friends, therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling?
Participate in illegal activities (e.g. forgery, fraud or theft) in order to finance your gambling?
Jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling?
Rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
Attempt to control, cut back or stop gambling but are unable to do so?