Addressing Online Gambling Harms: A Tailored Outpatient Model and Outcomes From Westside Gambling Treatment

Session Title

Treatment: Peer Support & Community

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

28-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Online gambling—including sports betting, crypto trading, esports wagering, and other digital platforms—has expanded rapidly among young men, producing patterns of harm distinct from traditional casino-based gambling. Westside Gambling Treatment (WGT), an outpatient provider within the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS) network, developed a specialized treatment model tailored to these emerging behaviors for this demographic. Following comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment planning, clients participate in an intensive virtual program combining group and individual therapy focused on gambling urges, financial health, and relationship repair, with continued recovery support through a long-term alumni program. This presentation describes WGT’s treatment approach and client outcomes from intake through end of treatment (EOT). At intake, depression scores were consistent with mild depressive symptoms and decreased to subclinical levels by EOT. Anxiety scores initially indicated possible clinically significant anxiety and fell below the screening cutoff at EOT. Across treatment, clients demonstrated substantial reductions in gambling urges and gambling-related interference with normal activities, alongside steady improvements in overall life satisfaction. Findings have important implications for outpatient treatment design, harm-reduction strategies, and future research aimed at understanding and treating digital-age gambling disorders.

Author Bios

Fiona Donovan is a statistician at the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. She analyzes multi-year California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS) data to identify factors linked to improved outcomes in life satisfaction, mental health, and gambling behavior. She holds a Master’s in Data Science from the University of Texas at Austin and focuses on translating analytics into practical guidance for treatment programs.

Share

COinS
 
May 28th, 12:00 AM

Addressing Online Gambling Harms: A Tailored Outpatient Model and Outcomes From Westside Gambling Treatment

Online gambling—including sports betting, crypto trading, esports wagering, and other digital platforms—has expanded rapidly among young men, producing patterns of harm distinct from traditional casino-based gambling. Westside Gambling Treatment (WGT), an outpatient provider within the California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS) network, developed a specialized treatment model tailored to these emerging behaviors for this demographic. Following comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment planning, clients participate in an intensive virtual program combining group and individual therapy focused on gambling urges, financial health, and relationship repair, with continued recovery support through a long-term alumni program. This presentation describes WGT’s treatment approach and client outcomes from intake through end of treatment (EOT). At intake, depression scores were consistent with mild depressive symptoms and decreased to subclinical levels by EOT. Anxiety scores initially indicated possible clinically significant anxiety and fell below the screening cutoff at EOT. Across treatment, clients demonstrated substantial reductions in gambling urges and gambling-related interference with normal activities, alongside steady improvements in overall life satisfaction. Findings have important implications for outpatient treatment design, harm-reduction strategies, and future research aimed at understanding and treating digital-age gambling disorders.