The goals of the Problem Gambling Council of Maryland include the following:

• To provide a 24 hour crisis intervention helpline for problem gamblers and their families who are seeking help and information.

•To provide public education to the communities, schools, and other organizations directed to creating an awareness of problem gambling as a serious recognized health issue.

•To conduct prevention and community awareness programs throughout our state in a variety of ways.

•To train mental health and addiction specialists, along with other health service professionals, in order to better assess and treat problem gambling and to find more efficient means of prevention.

•To advocate and conduct future research and maintain this vital data on problem gambling in the state of Maryland.

•To collaborate with local and state government agencies to recognize problem gambling through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), so that this topic can receive it's own advisory board separate from that of alcohol and substance abuse.

•To develop and maintain an internet site offering the most recent statistics, services, and information on problem gambling in order to aid those individuals that are seeking help.

•To identify groups believed to be at high risk for problem gambling and to initiate activities to prevent the onset or interrupt the progression of this disorder.

•To serve as a resource center on problem gambling for the state of Maryland.

•To develop and execute appropriate fund-raising activities to support and encourage our mission.

The Problem Gambling Council of Maryland is neither for nor against legal gambling.