Pause Before You Play

Don’t let #YouthGambling haunt your house this Halloween. If you have a child under 18, make sure they are being safe from #GamblingHarms by having a conversation and explaining the risks behind engaging in #PredictionMarkets, #SportsBetting, and games that feature gambling mechanics like #LootBoxes. Find a guide to help you start the conversation and learn more about the issue at the link: ChangeTheGameOhio.org/for-pa… #HappyHalloween #ChangeTheGameOhio

If you #SportsBet or #gamble, you may be at risk for gambling-related harms. Find out now by taking the 2-minute quiz. Rate your risk now: PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/play-… #TakeTheQuiz #PauseBeforeYouPlay #RateYourRisk

Sports betting has spread on college campuses, and recent research sheds light on how students’ mental health is impacted. Nicholas McAfee from @OleMiss has growing concerns for students after leading research that shows #StudentGambling often occurs alongside depression, anxiety, and substance use. #StudentAthletes also show signs of worsening mental health due to increased betting-related harassment. Read the blog to learn more about this issue: pausebeforeyouplay.org/2026/… #PauseBeforeYouPlay #MoreThanABet #MentalHealth

October is recognized as National Health Literacy Month — a month that reminds providers and healthcare professionals how they can help patients by making important health information clear and accessible, including raising awareness of gambling disorders. This can look like including questions about gambling behaviors when asking patients about alcohol, nicotine, or substance use. See more ways you can increase #GamblingHarm prevention by exploring the community toolkits: PausebBeforeYouPlay.org/tool… #GamblingDisorderPrevention #NationalHealthLiteracyMonth #PauseBeforeYouPlay

With fall sports in full swing and many people choosing to engage in #SportsBetting, it’s important to know there’s someone in your corner you can talk to if you feel that betting is having a negative impact on your life. Call 1-800-589-9966, call/text/chat 988, or visit the Ohio #ProblemGamblingHelpline website to chat with a trained and understanding professional, available 24/7 at no cost. Ohio also offers virtual telehealth services at no cost through the @OhioGTN. Find support: PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/get-h… #HelpIsAvailable #OhioGamblingTeleHealthNetwork #PauseBeforeYouPlay

Game one of the #WorldSeries starts today! If choosing to #SportsBet, remember to have a plan that lowers your risk for #BettingHarms. Consider setting limits on time and money spent, recognizing the risks of betting, and knowing when to stop. Learn more about the issue and find more tips in the comments. ⚾ Learn more: PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/play-… #PauseBeforeYouPlay #LowRiskBetting

Whether you're a teen or an adult, betting seems to be everywhere. But have you ever wondered if it’s actually addictive? The short answer is yes, betting is very addictive — especially if your mind is still developing. Please reshare this video and send to any children and teens you know to raise awareness of #YouthGambling and prevent #YouthGamblingHarms from impacting more young individuals. Learn more about youth gambling and how to prevent it: ChangeTheGameohio.org #ChangeTheGameOhio

October is Positive Attitude Month! According to research from Johns Hopkins, having positive thoughts and attitudes in daily life can help lessen the damage stress has on the body and mind, foster stronger immune systems, decrease risk of serious health diseases and even improve outcomes and life satisfaction across a spectrum of conditions. Train your mind to think positively by simply smiling more, practicing reframing, and building resiliency. 🙂Learn more about the power of positive thinking: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/w… #PositiveAttitudeMonth #PauseBeforeYouPlay

A recent article from @NPR sheds light on how more kids each day are gambling, and how most parents miss the signs. Kim Freudenberg, a longtime teacher in San Francisco, knew to warn her sons about activities that could harm them (drinking, drugs, unsafe driving, etc.) but didn’t realize that gambling was one of those things. After her eldest son dropped out of college at 19 and started stealing money to pay for his debts, she discovered he had been gambling since age 11. Learn more about youth gambling by reading the article, downloading the guide, or hear more parent stories from Parents Standing Together. Get the parents' guide: ChangeTheGameOhio.org/for-pa… Read the article: npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-576… Explore Parents Standing Together: parentsstandingtogether.org #PreventYouthGambling #ChangeTheGameOhio

Today is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month where we celebrate and honor the Hispanic and Latino history and culture that have shaped important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more. Pause Before You Play would like to recognize our Hispanic and Latino communities and raise awareness of our Spanish-speaking low-risk gambling resources. Check out the toolkit: PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/toolk… #HispanicHeritageMonth #PauseBeforeYouPlay