In response to rising concerns about gambling addiction across Nevada, the Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center announced a major expansion of its services in Reno. The center, which already operates a statewide program, has hired a full‑time clinician and is now offering an intensive outpatient program that provides four three‑hour therapy sessions each week for six weeks.

Local Need Drives Expansion

A 2025 study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, found that 15% of Nevada adults are at risk for problem gambling. The study highlighted the growing prevalence of sports betting on mobile devices and predatory prediction‑market advertising that targets young men. Stephanie Goodman, director of the Problem Gambling Center, said, “There’s sports betting on the phone. Prediction markets are incredibly predatory, especially in marketing to young men. We need to be here, and we need to help people.”

Targeting High‑Risk Groups

Research published last year in the Journal of Gambling Studies identified men ages 18‑25 as the demographic most likely to develop a gambling problem. Goodman, a mother herself, noted the personal relevance of that finding: “I have a son, and he knows what I do for a living, but not everybody has that.” The new Reno program is designed to reach young adults in the area before their habits become entrenched.

How the Program Works

Patients attend the Reno office for four three‑hour sessions each week over a six‑week period. Goodman explained the benefit of in‑person treatment: “You’re able to be three weeks into a program and look at someone who’s maybe six weeks in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, that could be me in three more weeks.’” The curriculum focuses on the brain’s role in addiction, emphasizing that gambling problems are not a matter of personal weakness but a biological disorder.

Warning Signs and Suicide Risk

Studies show individuals with gambling problems are five times more likely to attempt suicide. Goodman urged families and clinicians to watch for warning signs, such as gambling thoughts dominating daily activities. “Let’s say you normally enjoy hiking, right? You love to be with your family. And all of a sudden those spots are not the same. You’re now starting to think about gambling all the time,” she said.

Community Impact

The expansion reflects a broader effort to address the hidden toll of gambling addiction on Nevada families. By providing face‑to‑face therapy, the center hopes to reduce the long‑term social and economic costs associated with problem gambling, including strained relationships, financial hardship, and mental‑health crises.

Looking Ahead

Goodman and her team plan to monitor outcomes closely, tracking participants’ progress and adjusting the program as needed. The center also intends to collaborate with local schools, churches, and community groups to raise awareness about the signs of gambling addiction and to promote early intervention.

Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.