Arizona Introduces Free Peer Support Program to Help with Gambling Problems
On January 12, 2026, after a Request for Proposal, the Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling officially assigned its first peer support program contract to Dezerve Counseling LLC in Phoenix. Following this decision, Dezerve Counseling LLC will develop, launch, and manage the program to help people with gambling problems.
Arizona Peer Support Program: Free, Available 24/7, and Confidential
The peer support program offers guidance and assistance to those who are grappling with gambling addiction and other related problems. The program will officially roll out across Arizona in spring 2026, and services will be free, available around the clock, and completely confidential. Clients can reach out for real-time assistance online, by phone, or through in-person meetings.
Clients have options to join a one-on-one or group setting with certified specialists, who have experienced gambling problems first-hand or have successfully assisted their loved ones in recovery. These specialists are also thoroughly trained, including applicable professional certifications, to ensure they will make an immediate impact on the client’s recovery.
By keeping the services confidential and offering a common ground between clients and specialists, the program creates a supportive community built on trust and empathy. This encourages those in need to seek help without being hesitant or insecure while ensuring specialists offer guidance and support without judgment.
Darfetta Muhammad, Chief Administrative Officer at Dezerve Counseling, shared:
We believe, just as the Division does, that recovery begins with a single step forward. We are proud that Dezerve Counseling can now offer that vital next step to individuals and families navigating problem gambling.
Elise Mikkelsen, Director of the Division of Problem Gambling, added:
We are proud of our track record of offering timely and effective assistance to Arizonans, and we look forward to adding peer support and recovery services to enhance the comprehensive options available through the Division of Problem Gambling.
Clients at any stage of their problem gambling recovery, including those reaching out for the first time and those seeking additional help after seeing a clinician or a doctor, can enroll in the program. Arizonans who have questions about the peer support program and gambling problem services can text NEXTSTEP to 53342 or dial 1-800-NEXT-STEP.
Specialists with lived experience will assist clients in recovering from problem gambling.
Arizona’s Self-Exclusion Options
Besides the peer support program, the Arizona Department of Gaming provides two self-exclusion options. Players can exclude themselves from all Arizona-based casinos with casino self-exclusion tools. Another choice is to restrict themselves from Event Wagering & Fantasy Sports (EWFS) Contests with an online sports betting self-exclusion option.
The exclusion periods for Arizonans are 1, 5, or 10 years, depending on the conditions of each person. Clients can either go to a land-based casino or mail a full self-exclusion form to the state to apply for self-exclusion.
Another way is to visit the Phoenix-based main office of the Arizona Department of Gaming. However, this process cannot be completed online via the state’s website.
Since the self-exclusion program launched, over 11,000 people have registered, and in 2025 alone, there were 557 more applications.
State and Tribal Revenues Allocated to Arizona’s Problem Gambling Programs
Arizona problem gambling programs are funded by the state and tribal revenues. In FY 2026, the state is expected to allocate $3.32 million to these support programs, including education, treatment, and prevention. 2% of tribal gaming revenue contributes to these resources, which could reach $3.64 million by the end of the year.
These efforts result from an expansion of gambling options after sports betting, event betting, and fantasy sports were legalized in 2021. As more people pour money into gambling, the need for help also rises.
Nationwide, approximately 2.5 million adults are grappling with problem gambling. In Arizona, those aged from 18 to 34 are more prone to addiction and gambling problems, especially with online betting apps.
Since sports betting became legal in Arizona, its Division of Problem Gambling has witnessed a 300% increase in the number of calls to the helpline 1-800-NEXT-STEP. This underscores the importance of statewide, accessible problem gambling resources.
