In 1984 the International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC) program was developed to promote a competency-based certification program for professionals treating problem and pathological gamblers and their families. The International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB) oversees the credential. IGCCB contracts with the National Council on Problem Gambling to administer this program.

There are two levels of certification, ICGC-I and ICGC-II. Counselors must demonstrate a specific number of hours in gambling-specific training, clinical experience treating gamblers and successful completion of the Certification Examination for Gambling Counselors. A third designation, BACC, denotes ICGC-II counselors who have acquired sufficient training, clinical experience, and supervision skills and are approved to provide supervision to ICGC applicants.