NCPG News - MemberSuite

Volume 17, Issue 2
August 27, 2014
NCPG News
Highlights of the 28th National Conference
Highlights:
The 28th National Conference on Problem Gambling
was held July 11-12 at the
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando,
Florida. A collegial crowd of
about 450 attendees were
welcomed by the co-host
Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) and its
Executive
Director
Pat
Fowler (far right) and NCPG
Executive Director Keith
Whyte (right). Attendees
enjoyed several days of education and training for up to
30 CEU’s, professional development, networking opportunities and more, including
the Highlight event at SeaWorld.
Attendees came
from 42 states and 7 other
 New Membership
benefit—Job Bank!
 Welcome a new staff
member to NCPG
 Exclusive Conference
Photos!
 Announcement of
new Members of the
NCPG Board of
Directors
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
From the President
and Executive Director
2
New benefit: Job Bank
New NCPG Staff
3
National Awards
4
Conference Highlights
8
Board of Directors
9
Sponsors and
10
Exhibitors
Organizational
Members
12
ACA Brief
13
countries: Australia, Austria,
Canada, Japan, Singapore,
South Africa, and the United
Kingdom. The main conference included 45 presentations with 77 speakers. The
Pre-conference Workshops,
July 9-10, provided in-depth
training with 12 presentations given by 29 speakers.
In addition, there was an allday Helpline Symposium
during the Pre-Conference
Workshops and a Certification
Symposium
that
brought together a small
group of representatives
from different concerned
organizations. 97 per cent of
attendees responding rated
the conference ‘good’ or
‘excellent.’
Distinguished Speakers
On Friday, July 11, John Fontana, FCCG board member,
opened the Main Conference
by welcoming attendees on
behalf of the Seminole Tribe
of Florida. Judy DiCenzo,
GTECH, introduced Dr. Westley Clark (below), Director of
the federal
Center
for Substance
Abuse
Treatment (CSAT), who
gave the keynote address
on The Affordable Care Act,
DSM-5 and Gambling Addiction. The Friday lunch plenary was a heartwarming ceremony for NCPG’s annual
National Awards (see story,
pg. 4). On Saturday, July 12,
plenary
speaker Dr.
Jeffrey
Derevensky
of McGill
University
(left) was
introduced by Connie Jones of
AGEM. He presented on 25
Years of Youth Gambling
Research: What Do We
Know and Should We
Care? The lunch plenary
was a moving presentation
titled Fighting for My Life
from Betty
White (left)
who survived a
loved one’s
problem
gambling and its horrific
consequences.
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President’s Message—Maureen Greeley
IS PROBLEM GAMBLING TOO EDGY FOR PRIME TIME?
I wanted to do an episode about Chuck having a gambling problem. I wanted to
portray my addiction on the show. But I think it’s a little edgy for Saturday night.
--Fisher Stevens on playing Chuck Fishman on Early Edition.
If edgy means at the forefront of a trend or daringly innovative, perhaps it’s time (beyond time) to bring gambling
addiction to Saturday night television. If edgy means problem gambling is just too hard for people to truly see, then we, as
a society, must find a way to take off the blinders and really look at the elephant in the room for what it is.
Everyone who works in our field – from treatment providers to prevention specialists; from researchers to administrators
and more; works hard to try to help people understand the realities of problem gambling and the real people who
experience problems with gambling. We’ve made progress, but problem gambling, even among professionals in the
mental and behavioral health fields, often remains in the shadows if it is addressed at all.
And, the stigma that surrounds problem gambling often keeps people from seeking
treatment. Stigma is a significant barrier to both prevention and treatment efforts.
“Stigma is a significant
barrier to both prevention
and treatment efforts.”
As we came together in Orlando for our 28th National Conference on Problem Gambling, I
heard talk in sessions, at lunch tables, even around the pool, about how to bring Problem
Gambling out of the shadows and into the realm of a true Public Health issue. How do we advocate for this – not just
advocating for funding and awareness through legislation (which is crucial), but advocating with our colleagues and peers
in mental and behavioral health at the national level? How do we expand on the great work of our National Problem
Gambling Awareness Month to make community education, education in schools, awareness campaigns and early
interventions a truly national effort?
How do we help bring awareness to the fact that, when gambling has grown to a widely acceptable form of entertainment,
then encouraging those who have gambling problems to seek help should not be stigmatized, but applauded and
supported? Let’s make “edgy” that innovative forefront of a trend that we’re not afraid to see in our living rooms on a
Saturday night.
Executive Director’s Letter—Keith Whyte
This issue is filled with highlights from the 28th National Conference on Problem Gambling, held in
July in Orlando, FL. One of the highlights for NCPG is to review the evaluations. This year, the ‘very
good’ and ‘excellent’ combined totaled a 97% approval rating, the highest recorded in over a decade.
I have to again express my sincere gratitude to so many who help with the conference. Thanks to our
gracious and generous hosts, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, and to NCPG staff for
working so hard throughout the year. Thanks to our sponsors who provide essential support.
Thanks to the presenters and exhibitors who provide the content. And most of all, thanks to
“...it is the attendees who
the attendees. From the first-timers to the veterans like Steve Block, Dr. Henry Lesieur and
make the conference
Dr. Rachel Volberg, who remember when everyone could fit in a small meeting room—it is
special...”
you who make the conference special. People come because problem gambling is an
important issue, but they keep coming back for the people in the field. One of the things I
hear most often from attendees is the appreciation they have for the opportunity to engage with peers and leaders in the
field, and for the willingness of their fellow professionals to share and collaborate. It is a tradition that leaders like Steve,
Henry and Rachel inherited from our founders and it is one that we pledge to carry on.
So while one conference closes, the next opens. We are already working hard with Maryland’s Council and Center of
Excellence to build on the success of Orlando. So - look forward to Berger’s cookies and Chesapeake Bay blue crabs in
Baltimore next year! And most importantly, come back to contribute your experience, to share your ideas and insights, and
to sustain the conference—your conference—as the most welcoming, challenging, enjoyable and intense event in the
problem gambling and responsible gaming field.
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New Membership Benefit: Job Bank
NCPG is proud to announce a NEW benefit for our members! You can
post a position opening or post your resume in our Job Bank.
Find your next new hire from a pool of professionals with exactly the academic training, credentials and hands-on experience that you are looking for, whether in responsible gaming or problem gambling.
Looking for the next phase of your life? Post your resume and let the executives come
to you, already knowing that you are likely a good fit for a position they may not even
have advertised yet.
This benefit is available to current members only: Affiliates and their Peer Members;
Organizational Members and their co-members; and Individual Members of any of our
categories, including students and joint members. You’ll find the link on the bottom
menu of our website at www.ncpgambling.org.
Not a member yet? Join online at www.ncpgambling.org/joinnow!
Members are invited to submit articles for our next newsletter. Suggested topics include
recovery, prevention, counseling and responsible gaming. Limit 500 words, deadline Friday,
September 26. Email your article to ncpg@ncpgambling.org. NCPG reserves the right to edit for
length and clarity.
Staff Announcements
After an intense search process, NCPG has hired a new Program Administrator, Amy Feinberg.
Amy Feinberg joined NCPG in August 2014. She previously worked at the Association of State
and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), TASH (formerly known as The Association for the
Severely Handicapped) and the American Association of Health Education (AAHE). She holds a
Masters in Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BS in Health Sciences
from James Madison University. Amy is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). As
the Program Administrator at NCPG, Amy oversees major programs including the Helpline
Network (800-522-4700), National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, and the Holiday Lottery
Campaign. She also administers the National Certified Gambling Counselor (NCGC) program.
Amy lives in Woodbridge, VA.
Twitter: @NCPGambling #NCPGConf
Facebook page: National Council on Problem Gambling
LinkedIn professional network: National Council on Problem Gambling
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NCPG Salutes Leaders with National Awards
NCPG presented its
2014 National Awards
at the 28th National
Conference on Problem
Gambling in Orlando,
Florida. Chip Polston
(right), Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling,
chaired
the
Awards Committee and
served as MC at the
plenary awards ceremony.
Each year NCPG honors
individuals and organizations for their dedicated
work on problem gambling and responsible
gaming
issues in order
to spotlight exceptional
service, innovative ideas
and hard work. We applaud all the nominees
and congratulate this
year’s worthy recipients.
Please visit the Program
& Resources page at
www.ncpgambling.org
for more information on
how to submit nominations for 2015.
2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Award
“[The Seminole Tribe]
enabled FCCG to develop
and implement a
statewide program
which provides
free treatment for
problem gamblers.”
The Seminole Tribe of
Florida (STF) received
this award to recognize
their outstanding commitment to social responsibility. For more
than a decade, the STF
has been the largest
voluntary contributor
to the Florida Council.
In 2010, as part of the
compact
agreement
with the state, the STF
voluntarily agreed to
Allen D. Huff, Chairman,
Seminole Tribal Gaming
Commission
provide $1.75 million
for compulsive gambling treatment and
services in Florida. This
enabled FCCG to develop and implement a
statewide
program
which provides free
treatment for problem
gamblers and those
adversely affected by
gambling.
2014 Joanna Franklin Award for Direct Service
In honor of Joanna Franklin’s contributions to our field—and for the tremendous spirit she brought to our organization—the NCPG Board of Directors
voted to name the annual award for
direct service in her honor.
tion and humility, Dr. Chapman is
Director of the Gambling Treatment
Program and Deputy Director of the
Veterans Addiction
Recovery Center at
the Louis Stokes
Veterans AdminThe first recipient of the new award is istration Medical
Dr. Heather Chapman, NCGC-II
Center in Cleveland, OH.
(right). Recognized for her dedica-
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The NCPG Lifetime
Awards are bestowed only
in exceptional times and
circumstances, to individuals who exemplify at
least twenty years of service on behalf of problem
gamblers.
The Dr. Robert Custer
Lifetime Award for Direct
Service was given posthumously to Joanna Franklin. She truly exemplifies
exceptional and longstanding achievement in
the direct provision of
services to problem gamblers and their families.
One nominator wrote:
“I cannot think of any one
person who has more influenced the field of problem gambling than Joanna
Franklin. Through her
work in training profesCarol O’Hare, Executive
sionals and developing
Director of the Nevada
Council on Problem Gam- credentialing standards,
bling (above), received the consulting with governMonsignor Joseph Dunne ment agencies on the deLifetime Award for Advo- velopment of prevention
cacy. This award is given and treatment programs,
and direct clinical care,
in recognition of career
she represented the highdedication to improving
the lives of problem gam- est standards of work and
blers and their families
through advocacy, research, training or the
promotion of public
awareness.
practice as well as unselfish dedication.” The
award was accepted by
Joanna’s husband, Carl
Robertson, granddaughters Kelsey and Nicole
Hundt and daughter Katherine Robertson (below
left).
The Lifetime Research
Award was given to Dr.
Alex Blaszczynski (below).
“…[Joanna Franklin]
This award is given to
honor exceptional longstanding achievement in
the field of research, defined as deliberate scientific study which fosters
assistance to problem
gamblers, families and the
prevention of problem
gambling.
2014 Don Hulen Award for Advocacy
The Don Hulen Award
for Advocacy is given
annually to recognize
dedication to improving
the lives of problem
gamblers and their
families through advocacy, training, or the
promotion of public
awareness.
Jean Holthaus (right),
now with the Veterans
Administration in Topeka, won for her courageous efforts to combat
a massive cut to the
problem gambling budget in Kansas.
represented the highest
standards of work and
practice as well as
unselfish dedication.”
-nomination for Lifetime
Award for Direct Service
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2014 Media and Public Awareness Awards
Website Award
The “A Game Should Remain A Game” website
created by Loto-Quebec
received the award for an
outstanding website that
has best raised public
awareness of problem or
pathological gambling.
Holiday Responsible
Gaming Campaign
Award
This award is for the best
material prepared by a
lottery in support of the
holiday lottery campaign,
“...the [Harry Esteve]
series led to numerous
statewide changes…”
a grassroots campaign
offered and coordinated
by NCPG each year in
December. The 2014
winner was the Illinois
Lottery.
Media Award
Harry Esteve, of The Oregonian, won the annual
Media Award for outstanding news reporting
in the past year that has
best covered problem
gambling issues. One
nominator said the series
led to numerous
statewide changes, including “…the passing of
two problem gambling
bills in the state’s legislature and a marked spike
in calls to the state’s
problem gambling helpline.”
Avis Lavelle and Tammi Barlow
accepted for Illinois Lottery;
with Dr. Jeff Derevensky.
2014 Jim Wuelfing Award for Prevention
This award was given to
Carl Robertson (right).
One nomination noted
“…his dedication to
learning the discipline
of prevention, and applying that knowledge
and skill to providing
well-designed and re-
searched prevention
programs.” The award
recognizes outstanding
annual achievement in
advocacy, development,
integration, outreach,
research or training in
the area of prevention
of problem gambling.
Prevention Showcase Awards
Prevention Showcase
‘Best in Show’ Award:
Amanda Burke, Problem
Gambling Prevention
Specialist, Kent State University, Ohio.
Prevention Showcase
‘People’s Choice’ Award:
Kelly Chau, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), San
Jose, California.
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2014 Media and Public Awareness Awards
Newsletter Award
The Connecticut
Lottery Corporation
received the Newsletter Award for
Chatter That Matters,
which highlights their
responsible gaming
and corporate social
responsibility initiatives. Chelsea Turner
(below) accepted.
People’s Choice Award
The most popular print
public awareness message as voted on by the
attendees at the National
Council on Problem Gambling conference was
Know When To Fold ‘Em,
developed by the West
Virginia Problem Gamblers Helpline Network.
Left to right, below: Ludwig Balbuena, Steven L.
Burton, Jennifer DavisWalton, Sheila Moran,
Kay Goff, Jane Reynolds,
Patty Deutsch with Keith
Whyte.
Public Awareness
Award
For the second time in
two years, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, in partnership with the Washington Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, won this award
for the outstanding TV
or radio public awareness message in the past
year. This was the most
heavily contested category this year. Maureen
Greeley, Executive Director (below) accepted.
“...work on the
relationship of
decision-making to
‘chasing’ behavior…”
2014 Dr. Durand Jacobs Dissertation Award
This award for the outstanding graduate doctoral dissertation in the
area of problem gambling went to Dr. Jamey
Lister (right) for his work
on the relationship of
decision-making to
‘chasing’ behavior.
The award is given to
the applicant judged to
have the best potential
to contribute to our scientific knowledge and
clinical understanding of
gambling addiction.
Dr. Lister is currently a
post-doctoral fellow at
Wayne State University,
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience.
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Fun and Networking at the Conference
Networking is always a valuable benefit and a popular reason to attend the National Conference. This year included 13 events — more than ever! There was a
Welcome Reception sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida; Highlight event
at SeaWorld Orlando featuring dinner, access to the park, and Shamu Show; and
two plenary lunches with guided regional networking. The first-ever Fun Run
gave about 50 participants some exercise too. And the morning and afternoon
coffee breaks help continue conversations! It’s a great way to see old friends
and make new connections with whom to exchange ideas and help all year long!
“...I like meeting people
“...I love getting ideas to
from across the country
work with back in my
who care…”
community…”
“...I like meeting
leaders in the field …”
Top reason to attend:
CEU’s/Training
44%
Networking
31%
Speakers
Location
21%
4%
Self-defined occupation:
Counselor
54%
Administrator
26%
Government
Research
11%
5%
Gaming & Other
4%
Above top row, left to right: Angel Funk and Heidy Farajallah. Jim Pappas and Josh Ercole. Rose
Gruber, Sylvia Huntley and Cheri Cuny. Middle row: Marsha Devlin, Dorothy Loggins, Kathryn ElliottHudson, Annette Turner, Jamesetta Jackson, Debra Neal. Karen Bogart, Henry Lesieur and Lori Rugle.
Bottom row: Finale of the Shamu Show at SeaWorld Orlando. Fun Run participants.
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NCPG Board of Directors Election
In June, the
Members of
NCPG held the
annual election
for the Board of
Directors. Each
year, a minimum
of five seats are
open; nominees
must be current
NCPG members.
sponsible gaming committee for eight years
and sits on the World
Lottery Association
responsible gaming
work-group, a sixmember panel that
addresses responsible
gambling practices for
the global community.
Maureen Greeley is
Judge Mark
Executive Director of
2014-2015 NCPG Board of Directors
Farrell, Nan
the Evergreen Council
Left to right: Wiley Harwell, Ty Lostutter, Rose Gruber, Marc Potenza, Nan Horner,
Horner and Chip
on Problem Gambling
Jeff Beck, Chip Polston, Mark Farrell, Jerry Bauerkemper, Pat Fowler, Maureen
Greeley, Ray Pineault, Don Feeney, Marlene Warner. Not pictured: Cathie Perrault. (WA) and was previPolston were
elected to serve
ously the Communicathree-year terms on the NCPG
tions Director and Problem GamNannette (Nan) Horner is Chief
Board of Directors. Maureen
bling Program Manager for the
Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer/
Greeley was re-elected to a secWashington Lottery. She served as
Board Secretary for Empire Reond term and Cathie Perrault was
NCPG’s President for 2013-2014.
sorts, Inc. (NY). She was Deputy
appointed to fill a resigned seat.
Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania Cathie Perrault is the Executive
These terms are 2014 to 2017 and
Gaming Control Board and was
Director of the Northstar Problem
the seats are respectively Individunamed the PGCB’s first Director of Gambling Alliance, the NCPG Affilials, Organizations, and three Affilithe Office of Compulsive & Probate in Minnesota. She has over 20
ate seats, corresponding to the
lem Gambling. She chairs NCPG's years experience in nonprofit mancategories of NCPG members.
Membership Committee, and is a agement and communications,
Judge Farrell served as the Senior member of the International Mas- including executive positions at
Justice in the Amherst NY Criminal ters of Gaming Law and its Respon- Hazelden as well as Crisis Connecand Civil Court for 20 years, retir- sible Gaming Committee.
tion. She has served on NCPG’s
ing in December 2013. Judge FarNominations & Elections ComChip Polston serves as the Kenrell implemented the first suburmittee.
tucky Council on Problem Gamban Drug Treatment Court in the
bling’s representative to NCPG, as The Board selected their officers
country in 1996, the only Gambling
chair of NCPG’s Awards comfor 2014-2015 while meeting in
Treatment Court in the world in
mittee, and previously served on
Orlando in July: Maureen Greeley,
2001 and the first suburban VeterNCPG’s Communications subcom- Wiley Harwell, Rose Gruber and
ans Treatment Court in the nation
mittee. He first joined the KenRay Pineault were re-elected as
in 2009. Farrell served as a JAG in
tucky Lottery as a host of the
President, Vice President, Secrethe USAF during the Vietnam era
nightly drawing show 21 years ago, tary and Treasurer, respectively.
and was an Area General Courts
and assumed his current position
Martial Defense Counsel for the
NCPG also wishes to thank retiring
as Vice President of Communicasoutheastern United States. He
tions, Government and Public Rela- Board members Paul Ashe, Mary
has served on NCPG’s Military
Drexler, Connie Jones and Renee
tions eleven years ago. Chip has
Committee.
Siegel.
been a member of the NASPL re-
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Exhibitors and Attendees Energize the Conference
Many thanks to all of you who brought your information and engagement to the conference! Your enthusiasm and genuine concern for the issue of problem gambling
bring energy and life to the NCPG National Conference on Problem Gambling. If you
are looking for information and services in problem gambling, please take a moment
to explore the Exhibitors who provided such a great presence at the conference.
Contact information can be found at ncpgambling.org/conference2014exhibitors.
BreakPoint Books (Florida)
C.A.R.E. Treatment Center (Florida)
Compulsive Gambling: What’s It All About, Dr. Valerie Lorenz (Maryland)
Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous / GamAnon
Gambling Addiction Client Workbook, Dr. Robert Perkinson (South Dakota)
Gambling Treatment Services (Arizona)
Health Management Systems of America (Michigan)
Know When to Hold 'Em, Dr. Damon Dye (Florida)
Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling
Maryland Council on Problem Gambling
Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
Mobly Media (Florida)
Nebraska Council on Compulsive Gambling
Project Turnabout (Minnesota)
Recovery Road (Florida)
Windmoor Healthcare of Clearwater (Florida)
Clockwise from above left: Aimee and Mitch Wallick, C.A.R.E. Treatment Center (FL). Melissa Thornburg, Gambling Treatment Services (AZ). Donna Gaspar, Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem
Gambling. Cookie Padilla, Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling. Mary Ellen Connolly, Project Turnabout (MN). Breakpoint Books (FL). Angela Kaufman, Gambling Addiction Client Workbook (SD).
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Sponsors Make the Difference
Major thanks go to our sponsors, whose support makes the conference possible and helps keep registration fees
affordable. Sponsors receive visibility among their peers in a cost-effective way, along with public acknowledgement of the organization’s support and engagement in responsible gaming and problem gambling. Thank you!
PRESENTING PARTNER
Seminole Tribe of Florida
Star Spangled Banner Sponsors
Four Winds Casino Resort
GTECH*
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians*
Wind Creek Hospitality*
Eagle Sponsors
Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM)*
International Game Technology (IGT)*
Mohegan Sun*
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino*
Wi-Fi Sponsor
The Rational Group*
Capitol Sponsors
Caesars Entertainment*
Magic City Casino
Mescalero Responsible Gaming Program
Minnesota Lottery*
Palm Beach Kennel Club
United Community & Family Service
50 States Sponsors
Daytona Beach Kennel Club
Hoosier Lottery*
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency*
Northstar Lottery Group*
Northstar New Jersey
Ohio Lottery Commission
Project Turnabout*
We the People Sponsors
Gaming Laboratories International LLC
Georgia Lottery Corporation*
Mid-western Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA)
North Carolina Education Lottery
Penn National Gaming Foundation, Inc.*
Training Sponsors
Association of Problem Gambling State Administrators (APGSA)
C.A.R.E. Treatment Center
Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling^
The Connection, Inc.
Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling*
Maryland Council on Problem Gambling^
SAMHSA
Sponsors as of 8/1/14
*Corporate/Organizational Member, NCPG
^Affiliate Member, NCPG
To become a sponsor for the 2015 National Conference, contact
Barbara Rollins at 202-547-9204x25 or
BarbaraR@ncpgambling.org.
Clockwise from above left: Charlie Tiger
(Seminole Tribe) with Diane Henry (Tulalip
Tribes). Andy Buster (Seminole Tribe) with Renee
Siegel. Lori Sawyer and Magi Williams (Wind
Creek Hospitality). NCPG Board members: Ray
Pineault (Mohegan Sun), Marc Potenza, Don
Feeney (MN Lottery). GTECH group: Judy DiCenzo (GTECH), Avis Lavelle (Northstar Lottery
Group), Jade Luchauer (GTECH Indiana), Robert
Kersey (Northstar New Jersey), Tracy McNutt
(GTECH Indiana), Tammi Barlow (Northstar
Lottery Group), Katie Carlson (GTECH Indiana).
NASPL reception attendees. Chrissy Menicucci
(IGT). Connie Jones (AGEM).
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Organizational Members
Organizational Membership is for corporations and other businesses, nonprofit
organizations, and government agencies, including Tribal entities.
There are three levels. Nonprofits and government agencies may participate using substantially discounted rates. Depending on the level chosen, a number of
staff or Board members are entitled to Individual Memberships as part of the
benefits of the Organizational Membership. For details, visit
www.ncpgambling.org/joinnow.
Organizational members play an important role in supporting NCPG — thank you!
PLATINUM MEMBERS
bwin.party
Georgia Lottery Corporation
Global Cash Access
GTECH
Las Vegas Sands Corporation
The Rational Group
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Wind Creek Hospitality
GOLD MEMBERS
AGEM
Caesars Entertainment
Delaware North Companies
eBet Online, Inc
IGT
Minnesota Lottery
Mohegan Sun
National Football League
NeoPollard Interactive LLC
New York Gaming Association
Penn National Gaming
Pinnacle Entertainment
Potawatomi Bingo Casino
The Racing Channel, Inc.
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Scientific Games
Sightline Payments LLC
Stronach Group
Twin River Casino
SILVER MEMBERS
Casino City Press
Empire Resorts
FanDuel
First Choice Health Systems
Kentucky Lottery
Linq3 Technologies
Maine Office of Substance Abuse, DHHS
Maryland Center of Excellence
on Problem Gambling
Maryland Lottery
Northstar Lottery Group, LLC
Pennsylvania Lottery
Project Turnabout
Responsible Gaming Association of NM
Secure Trading, Inc.
Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands
Texas Lottery Commission
United Way of Rhode Island
Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission
Virginia Lottery
ND Dept. of Human Services: Div. of MHSA
Members since January 1, 2013
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ACA Brief
Affordable Care Act Mainstreams Help for
Gambling Addiction
The report identifies seventeen recommendations in four broad advocacy areas that problem gambling advocates should pursue, according to Maureen Greeley, NCPG President.
The National Council on Problem Gambling
“Both the ACA and other legislative actions
provides advocates with a road map to ensure
that expand behavioral health coverage will
gambling addiction is incorporated into the
have major implications for problem gamevolving national healthcare system.
bling treatment. NCPG will continue to lead
the way in bringing together individuals and
In July, the National Council on Problem Gam- organizations who want to ensure that intebling (NCPG) released a new report:
gration is not simply a buzz word in the public
Problem Gambling in the 21st Century
health lexicon.”
Healthcare System: Implications of the DSM5, ACA and Parity for Problem Gambling
Greeley continued, “Gambling disorder clearTreatment and Advocacy to provide policy
ly falls within the ACA’s behavioral health
makers, counselors, problem gamblers and
benefit and, equally important, the significant
their families with essential information to
relationship between problem gambling and
help shape how gambling addiction is includ- other behavioral health conditions simply reed in healthcare reform. With the behavioral quires that treating individuals with cohealth landscape shifting under the Afforda- occurring conditions becomes a standard
ble Care Act (ACA) and the reclassification of practice. But it will take strong advocacy
problem gambling within the American Psyefforts, particularly at the state level, to dechiatric Association’s (APA) new Diagnostic
mand that crucial details and practical appliand Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
cations are addressed in order to guarantee
(DSM), the changing environment offers an
that covered benefits don’t remain vague or
opportunity to further embed help for prob- open to vast differences in interpretation.”
lem gambling within mainstream healthcare.
This report examines the opportunities under Authors: Raanan Kagan of Carnevale & Associates; Keith Whyte
of NCPG; Joshua Esrick and John Carnevale of Carnevale & Assothese new laws and offers recommendations ciates.
for effective problem gambling advocacy in
the 21st century healthcare system.
“NCPG will lead the way by harnessing the
power of determined individuals and organizations who demand change. For too long,
the concerns of problem gamblers, their families and the treatment community have been
met with indifference at the state and national level,” said Keith Whyte, Executive Director
of NCPG. “With an annual social cost of approximately $7 billion, coverage for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction
is clearly the most ethical and economical
way to minimize harm.”
A free copy of the complete report is available
at: http://www.ncpgambling.org/ACA-DSM5Brief. NCPG Members may request to have a
printed copy mailed to you by contacting us at
ncpg@ncpgambling.org. Be sure to provide
your name and mailing address.
The vision of the National Council on Problem Gambling is to
improve health and wellness by reducing the personal, social
and economic costs of problem gambling.
Our mission is to lead state and national stakeholders in the
development of comprehensive policy and programs for all
those affected by problem gambling.
730 11th Street, NW
Suite 601
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-547-9204
Fax: 202-547-9206
www.ncpgambling.org
E-mail: ncpg@ncpgambling.org
NCPG is neither for nor against legalized gambling. Our primary
concern is to help problem gamblers and their families.
Advocacy, professional development, and networking
in responsible gaming and problem gambling.
Help and hope for all affected by problem gambling.
National Helpline 1-800-522-4700
NCPG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax
-deductible in accordance with the law. Tax ID #51-0141872.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the
National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for confidential help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in
the United States.
29th National Conference on Problem Gambling
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New Challenges — Creative Solutions
Save the Date!
July 10-11, 2015
Baltimore
Hosted by the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling and
The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
(University of Maryland School of Medicine)
www.ncpgambling.org/conference2015