National Awards

The Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness, named for Monsignor Dunne, a founder of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has dedicated significant time and effort to the field of problem gambling.

The Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness recognizes an individual who has made sustained contributions on behalf of those impacted by problem gambling through advocacy, research, training, or public awareness, over several years.

The recipient of the Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness will be invited to make a special presentation at the next National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. This presentation is intended to uplift and inspire the next generation of contributors to the field.

The Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness was formerly known as the Herman Goldman Foundation Award for Advocacy.

Criteria:

• The Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness is awarded to an individual. The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• The nominee must have evidence of sustained contributions over several years advocating and/or raising awareness for those impacted by problem gambling.
• The nominee’s contributions to the field must be verified by three letters of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field.
• A maximum of one Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness may be awarded each year.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and staff are not eligible for this award.

The Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service is named for Dr. Robert Custer, a pioneer in the problem gambling field. The Award is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has dedicated significant time and effort to those impacted by problem gambling.

The Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service honors a person for exceptional long-standing achievement in providing services to people impacted by problem gambling. Direct service is defined as prevention, direct awareness outreach, treatment/counseling, helpline work and other related activities.

The recipient of the Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service will be invited to make a special presentation at the next National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. This presentation is intended to uplift and inspire the next generation of contributors to the field.

Criteria: 

• The Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service is awarded to an individual.
• A maximum of one Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service may be awarded each year.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and staff are not eligible for this award.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• The nominee must have evidence of sustained contributions over several years that have directly served those impacted by problem gambling. Direct service includes, but is not limited to, counseling, training, helpline, crisis management, case management, and financial management.
• The nominee’s contributions must be verified by three letters of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field.

The Lifetime Award for Research is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has dedicated significant time and effort over several years to problem gambling research.

The Lifetime Award for Research recognizes exceptional and long-standing achievements in the field of problem gambling research. Problem gambling research is the deliberate scientific study that fosters the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

The recipient of the Lifetime Award for Research will be invited to make a special presentation at the next National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. This presentation is intended to uplift and inspire the next generation of contributors to the field.

Criteria: 

• The Lifetime Award for Research is awarded to an individual.
• A maximum of one Lifetime Award for Research may be awarded each year.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and staff are not eligible for this award.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• The nominee must have evidence of sustained contributions over several years to problem gambling research, leading to an increased understanding of problem gambling.
• The nominee’s sustained contributions to research must be verified by three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must reference at least one study/piece of research where the nominee is a named author and should discuss how that research has impacted the letter writer’s work in practice.

The Don Hulen Award for Advocacy & Awareness is named for Don Hulen, a dedicated advocate in the problem gambling field, longtime Board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and founder of the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling. The award recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional contribution on behalf of those impacted by problem gambling through advocacy, research, training, or public awareness efforts.

Criteria: 

• The Don Hulen Award for Advocacy & Awareness is awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• The nominee must have evidence of an exceptional contribution on behalf of those impacted by problem gambling through advocacy, research, training or public awareness efforts.
• The nominee’s contribution must be verified by one letter of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and staff are not eligible for this award.

The Joanna Franklin Award for Direct Service is named for counselor Joanna Franklin, longtime Board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), who helped establish the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization. The award recognizes an individual’s exceptional direct service contribution to those impacted by problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Joanna Franklin Award for Direct Service is awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must be primarily engaged in the provision of treatment and recovery services to those impacted by problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and staff are not eligible for this award.

The Jim Wuelfing Award for Prevention is named for Jim Wuelfing, a well-known trainer and problem gambling prevention advocate. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has positively impacted problem gambling prevention efforts through research, development, integration, training, or outreach.

Criteria:

• The Jim Wuelfing Award for Prevention is designed to be awarded to an individual or an organization.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG.
• The nominee must have evidence of an exceptional contribution to problem gambling prevention efforts through research, development, integration, training or outreach.
• The nominee’s contribution must be verified by one letter of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact and dedication to problem gambling prevention.
• Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors and Staff are not eligible for this award.

The Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award is named for Jeffrey Beck, an inspirational leader in the problem gambling recovery field. The Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award recognizes an individual in recovery from a gambling problem who is active with NCPG and shares their lived experience with problem gambling addiction and recovery with warmth, understanding, and kindness.

Criteria:

• The Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must publicly self-identify as an individual in recovery from a gambling problem.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented work with the National Council on Problem Gambling that has directly impacted people affected by problem gambling. This work may include but is not limited to advocacy, research, training, or public awareness.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by one letter of recommendation that delineates their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling.

Named for Don Feeney, a responsible gambling pioneer dedicated to removing barriers between the gambling industry and those working in the problem gambling treatment and advocacy arenas, the Don Feeney Award for Responsible Gambling Excellence recognizes achievement for exceptional responsible gambling work executed by an employee of the gambling industry.

Criteria:

• The Don Feeney Award for Responsible Gambling Excellence is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented work on responsible gambling efforts demonstrating excellence in the field. These efforts may include but are not limited to corporate programs, conference presentations, or media appearances.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by one letter of recommendation that delineates their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on responsible gambling

Named for Denise Phillips, a gambling treatment provider and strong advocate for community outreach, the Denise Phillips Community Outreach and Multicultural Wellness Award recognizes outstanding public awareness efforts in marginalized communities or communities of color.

Criteria:

• The Denise Phillips Community Outreach and Multicultural Wellness Award is designed to be awarded to an individual or an organization.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented problem gambling advocacy or public awareness work directly impacting multicultural groups.
• The nominee must have documented direct service work to marginalized groups impacted by problem gambling in the areas of treatment, outreach, prevention, increasing public awareness, and education.
• The nominee must have documented educational trainings for problem gambling professionals focusing on cultural sensitivity.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by one letter of recommendation delineating their competency, length of service, dedication, and local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling or responsible gambling with a focus on cultural sensitivity.

The Annual Research Award recognizes an outstanding, original peer-reviewed research article on problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Annual Research Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have published a research article in a peer-reviewed journal on a problem gambling-related topic. The research must have contributed to the understanding of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact, quality, and reach of the research by including the following:
  • Title of research article.
  • Title of publication.
  • A copy of the research article.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the research is not in English.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by one letter of recommendation that delineates their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling.

The Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award recognizes an outstanding master’s thesis on a problem gambling-related topic.

Criteria:

• The Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have published a master’s thesis on a problem gambling-related topic. The research must have the potential to contribute to the understanding of problem gambling or gambling addiction.
• The nominee must demonstrate an understanding of the research by including the following information in an executive summary (10 pages max):
  • 250-word abstract.
  • Summary of background introduction.
  • Statement of hypothesis /purpose of research.
  • Description of population.
  • Study procedures & data analysis methodology.
  • Results and discussion.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work via their curriculum vitae and a complete copy of the master’s thesis.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by two letters of recommendation from members of the student’s thesis review committee.

Named for Dr. Durand Jacobs, who exhibited a lifelong commitment to mentoring students, the Dr. Durand Jacobs Dissertation Award recognizes an outstanding dissertation on a problem gambling-related topic.

Criteria:

• The Dr. Durand Jacobs Dissertation Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have published a dissertation on a problem gambling-related topic. The research must have the potential to contribute to the understanding of problem gambling or gambling addiction.
• The nominee must demonstrate an understanding of the research by including the following information in an executive summary (10 pages max):
  • 250-word abstract.
  • Summary of background introduction.
  • Statement of hypotheses/purpose of research.
  • Description of population.
  • Study procedures & data analysis methodology.
  • Results and discussion.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work via their curriculum vitae and a complete dissertation copy.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by two letters of recommendation from members of the student’s dissertation review committee.

The Media Award recognizes outstanding original reporting by a news organization on a problem gambling-related topic.

Criteria:

• The Media Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published original reporting on a problem gambling-related topic. The reporting must have contributed to public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact, quality, and reach of the reporting by including the following:
  • Title of reporting.
  • Date of reporting.
  • Location of original publication/broadcast.
  • A complete copy of the article or broadcast.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the reporting is not in English.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award recognizes an organization’s outstanding commitment to social responsibility as it relates to problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Social Responsibility Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must demonstrate outstanding commitment to social responsibility related to problem gambling. This commitment may include but is not limited to groundbreaking legislation, funding, research, corporate programs, or public awareness.
• Any supporting materials (encouraged but not required).

The Affiliate Public Awareness Award recognizes an outstanding original public awareness campaign that has increased awareness of problem gambling prepared by an NCPG Affiliate.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Public Awareness Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign that contributed to increased public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • A complete copy of the public awareness campaign and all associated materials.
  • Date of the campaign launch.
  • If applicable, the name of the advertising agency or other creative consultant responsible for the campaign content.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach (encouraged but not required).
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign is not in English.

The Corporate Public Awareness Award recognizes an outstanding original public awareness campaign that has increased awareness of problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Public Awareness Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign that contributed to increased public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • A complete copy of the public awareness campaign and all associated materials.
  • Date of the campaign launch.
  • If applicable, the name of the advertising agency or other creative consultant responsible for the campaign content.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach (encouraged but not required).
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign is not in English.

The Affiliate Multicultural Communications Award recognizes an outstanding multicultural outreach campaign that has increased awareness of problem gambling using integrated communication channels prepared by an NCPG Affiliate.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Multicultural Communications Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign to reach a multicultural audience and raise public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling using integrated communication channels.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness among the intended audience by including the following:
  • The public awareness materials included in the campaign.
  • A summary outlining the communication channels utilized.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach.
  • Documentation of any supporting research statistics (encouraged but not required).
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign materials are not in English.

The Corporate Multicultural Communications Award recognizes an outstanding multicultural outreach campaign that has increased awareness of problem gambling using integrated communication channels.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Multicultural Communications Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign to reach a multicultural audience and raise public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling using integrated communication channels.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness among the intended audience by including the following:
  • The public awareness materials included in the campaign.
  • A summary outlining the communication channels utilized.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach.
  • Documentation of any supporting research statistics (encouraged but not required).
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign materials are not in English.

The Affiliate People’s Choice Award recognizes an outstanding print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message prepared by an NCPG Affiliate.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate People’s Choice Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member.
• The nominee must have developed an original print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
• Eligible materials include public service or paid advertising printed on a poster, flyer, newspaper, magazine, billboard, or other non-digital media.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • The print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
  • The formats/channels utilized for the distribution of the message.

The Corporate People’s Choice Award recognizes an outstanding print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.

Criteria:

• The Corporate People’s Choice Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have developed an original print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
• Eligible materials include public service or paid advertising printed on a poster, flyer, newspaper, magazine, billboard, or other non-digital media.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the campaign and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • The print problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
  • The formats/channels utilized for the distribution of the message

This award recognizes an outstanding original public awareness campaign created by an NCPG Affiliate in support of either Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) or the Gift Responsibly Campaign that helped elevate national messaging, engage communities, and advance the goals of these signature NCPG initiatives. 

Criteria: 

• The Campaign Impact Award is designed to be awarded to an organization. 

• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member. 

• The campaign must be aligned with either Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March), or the Gift Responsibly Campaign (November–December). 

• Campaigns should reflect the theme or spirit of the national initiative, include original content or local adaptation, and show reach or resonance with key audiences. 

Submissions must include: 

• A complete copy or summary of the campaign and materials. 

• Date(s) of campaign launch and duration. 

• If applicable, the name of the creative partner or agency involved. 

• Supporting documentation of reach, impact, or public engagement. 

This award recognizes an outstanding original public awareness campaign created by a corporate partner in support of either Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) or the Gift Responsibly Campaign that helped elevate national messaging, engage the public, and advance the goals of these signature initiatives.

Criteria: 

• The Campaign Impact Award is designed to be awarded to an organization. 

• The nominee must be a corporate partner or supporter of NCPG. 

• The campaign must be aligned with either Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March), or the Gift Responsibly Campaign (November–December). 

• Campaigns should reflect the theme or spirit of the national initiative, include original content or local adaptation, and demonstrate reach or resonance with key audiences. 

Submissions must include: 

• A complete copy or summary of the campaign and materials. 

• Date(s) of campaign launch and duration. 

• If applicable, the name of any creative or marketing partners involved. 

• Supporting documentation of reach, impact, or public engagement.