Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing Gambling Harm: A Conversation with Jody Bechtold
This article is a part of our ongoing series on Safer Gambling Week. Back in 2021, we sat down with Jody Bechtold, CEO of The Better Institute and an expert on problem gambling. The discussion below is still just as relevant today.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Jody Bechtold. I am a certified expert in gambling addiction and have worked across the world helping both individuals and organisations. I am the CEO of The Better Institute, a group practice located in Pittsburgh, USA. I am the co-author of the The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook as well as a contributor to the Social Work Desk Reference on Gambling and Gaming Disorders. I also serve as the Vice President on the board for the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.
How did you become involved in treating gambling disorders and working as an advocate?
After graduating from graduate school, I worked in the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment field. When my state (Pennsylvania) expanded legalized gambling, I decided to get training on the subject of gambling addiction. I travel several states to find training on the subject. I began working with two mentors that helped me understand so much more about gambling and the differences with SUD. Pennsylvania was slow to provide treatment services and funding for those impacted by gambling. I found opportunities to advocate at government hearings, record podcasts in 2008 (giggle giggle), and obtain University support to train as many clinicians as possible.
I started my private practice, partnered with individuals at GA, and have made it my mission to help those impacted by gambling disorders.
You’re a passionate advocate for ‘having the conversation’. When it comes to gambling and gambling disorders, what is the discussion we as a society need to start having?
We need to remove the stigma associated with gambling addiction and in turn, promote the benefits of getting help. We still view gambling as a socially acceptable activity that doesn’t have harms associated with it. So when someone is harmed by gambling, we still view the individual as having a problem. We need to change the conversation to be more about risks and potential harms that can come from excessive gambling, the importance of having a healthy balance in all our activities, and make getting help easier.
Do those addicted to gambling products fit the typical profile of an addict? If not, how do they generally differ from other addicts?
Many people share similar features and traits of addiction – compulsion, negative consequences, tolerance, and progression. Gambling addiction is a “process addiction” since you don’t ingest a chemical. So the denial and defenses can be greater, the shame is more intense, and someone can keep it hidden for so much longer. With so many forms of gambling, there isn’t a typical profile.
What legislation could governments enact that would help reduce the instance of gambling harm and help those already dealing with a gambling disorder?
We need more funding to treat individuals and their families. We need more mechanisms to help set limits while gambling, and regulate how much money someone can borrow (cash advances, etc.) in a given time period. We also need to train more mental health providers to recognize gambling symptoms to help intervene sooner.
As far as operators go, I can’t speak specifically about the mechanisms that can be created, but I’m in favor of more features that keep people aware of how much time they are spending gambling, how much money they are spending, and the real meaning of wins and losses.
What is Gamban and how did you become involved with the app?
Gamban is blocking software that individuals can install on their devices to block access to gambling sites. It is not a silver bullet and it is not designed as the only action to take. It is best implemented with a series of other actions, such a self-exclusion, blocking gambling transactions on credit/debit cards, and limiting access to all money.
If you or someone you know has a gambling disorder, please visit:
Or if you are in the UK, free call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133
Safer Gambling Week at bettingexpert
