National Awards

Named for Monsignor Joseph Dunne, the founder of the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has advocated for those impacted by problem gambling for at least 20 years. A maximum of one Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy may be awarded each year.

The Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy recognizes a career dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by problem gambling through advocacy, research, training, or public awareness.

The recipient of the Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy will be invited to make a special presentation at the next National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. This presentation is intended to continue to honor and highlight the lifetime contribution of the award recipient.

Criteria:

• The Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have previously received the Don Hulen Annual Award for Advocacy.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG and/or its affiliates.
• The nominee must have at least 20 years of documented advocacy for those impacted by problem gambling. The NCPG Awards Committee may, under rare and exceptional circumstances, recommend exceptions to this requirement.
• The nominee’s 20 years of advocacy must be verified by three letters of recommendation delineating their competency, length of service, dedication, and local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling.
• A minimum of one of the three letters of recommendation must come from a current member of the NCPG Board of Directors.
• At least two-thirds of the NCPG Board of Directors must vote in favor of an individual receiving the Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy following a nomination and a recommendation from the NCPG Awards Committee.

Named for Dr. Robert Custer, a pioneer in the problem gambling field, the Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has provided at least 20 years of direct service to those impacted by problem gambling. A maximum of one Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service may be awarded each year.

The Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service honors a person for exceptional long-standing achievement in providing services to people affected 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 continue to honor and highlight the lifetime contribution of the award recipient..

Criteria: 

• The Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have previously received the Joanna Franklin Annual Award for Direct Service.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG and/or its affiliates.
• The nominee must have at least 20 years of documented work that has directly served those impacted by problem gambling. Direct service work includes but is not limited to counseling, training, helpline, crisis management, case management, and financial management. The NCPG Awards Committee may, under rare and exceptional circumstances, recommend exceptions to this requirement.
• The nominee’s 20 years of direct service must be verified by three letters of recommendation that delineate their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling. A minimum of one of the three letters of recommendation must come from a current member of the NCPG Board of Directors.
• At least two-thirds of the NCPG Board of Directors must vote in favor of an individual receiving the Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service following a nomination and a recommendation from the NCPG Awards Committee.

The Lifetime Research Award is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has dedicated at least 20 years of their career to problem gambling research. A maximum of one Lifetime Research Award may be awarded each year.

The Lifetime Research Award 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 Research Award will be invited to make a special presentation at the next National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. This presentation is intended to continue to honor and highlight the lifetime contribution of the award recipient.

Criteria: 

• The Lifetime Research Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have previously received the Annual Research Award.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary work in support of the goals and objectives of NCPG and/or its affiliates.
• The nominee must have at least 20 years of documented research leading to an increased understanding of problem gambling. The NCPG Awards Committee may, under rare and exceptional circumstances, recommend exceptions to this requirement.
• The nominee’s 20 years of research must be verified by three letters of recommendation delineating their competency, length of service, dedication, and local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling.
• A minimum of one of the three letters of recommendation must come from a current member of the NCPG Board of Directors.
• At least two-thirds of the NCPG Board of Directors must vote in favor of an individual receiving the Lifetime Research Award following a nomination and a recommendation from the NCPG Awards Committee.

Named for Don Hulen, dedicated problem gambling advocate, founder of the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling and longtime NCPG Board member, the Don Hulen Annual Award for Advocacy recognizes exceptional advocacy work to improve the lives of those affected by problem gambling.

Criteria: 

• The Don Hulen Annual Award for Advocacy is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented advocacy work directly impacting people affected by problem gambling. Advocacy work includes but is not limited to advocacy, research, training, or public awareness.
• The nominee’s advocacy 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 Joanna Franklin, an outstanding counselor, trainer, and advocate who helped establish the NCGC credential and the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB), the Joanna Franklin Annual Award for Direct Service recognizes achievement in the direct provision of services to people affected by problem gambling. Direct service is defined as prevention, direct awareness outreach, treatment/counseling, helpline work and other related activities.

Criteria:

• The Joanna Franklin Annual Award for Direct Service is designed to be awarded to an individual or an organization.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented direct service directly impacting people affected by problem gambling. Direct service includes but is not limited to counseling, training, helpline, crisis management, case management, and financial management.
• The nominee’s direct service 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.

Named for Jim Wuelfing, a well-known national trainer and advocate for problem gambling prevention, the Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention recognizes achievement for advocacy, development, integration, outreach, research, or training in problem gambling prevention.

Criteria:

• The Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention is designed to be awarded to an individual or an organization.
• The nominee must meet at least one of the following:
  1. Has advocated for including prevention in the continuum of problem gambling services.
  2. Has developed effective problem gambling prevention programming.
  3. Has worked to integrate prevention research outcomes into problem gambling prevention programming.
  4. Has worked to ensure problem gambling prevention programming reaches high-risk groups and underserved populations.
  5. Has collaborated widely to advance problem gambling prevention efforts.
  6. Has contributed to the problem gambling prevention body of knowledge through research and publications.
  7. Has positively influenced the professional development of others through training and curriculum development.
  8. The nominee’s direct service 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.

Named for Jeffrey Beck, an inspirational leader in the problem gambling recovery field, the Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award recognizes a person in recovery who is active with NCPG and offers their personal experience with problem gambling addiction and recovery from in the same spirit that Jeff did – with warmth, understanding and kindness.

Criteria:

• The Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have at least one year in recovery.
• 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 Service Awards recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Current members of the NCPG Board of Directors are not eligible for this award.

Criteria:

• The Service Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must demonstrate exemplary volunteer work in support of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by one letter of recommendation that delineates their contributions, length of service, dedication, and impact on the National Council on Problem Gambling.

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 Gift Responsibly Campaign Award recognizes outstanding public awareness material prepared by a Lottery to promote the responsible purchase of lottery products during the holiday season in support of the NCPG Gift Responsibly Campaign.

Only one nomination per organization may be submitted in this category.

Criteria:

• The Gift Responsibly Campaign Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the material and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • A complete copy of the public awareness material(s).
  • Details of the format and distribution channels.
  • Details of the reach of the material(s).
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign 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 Website Award recognizes an outstanding website that has increased awareness of problem gambling prepared by an NCPG Affiliate.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Website Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member.
• The nominee must have published an original website that contributed to increased public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the website and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • The address of the website.
  • Date of the website launch.
  • Documentation of the website reach.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the website is not in English.

The Corporate Website Award recognizes an outstanding website that has increased awareness of problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Website Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published an original website that contributed to increased public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the website and its ability to raise public awareness by including the following:
  • The address of the website.
  • Date of the website launch.
  • Documentation of the website reach.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the website 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 Newsletter Award recognizes an outstanding problem gambling-related newsletter prepared by an NCPG Affiliate.

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Newsletter Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must be an NCPG Affiliate member.
• The nominee must have published an original problem gambling-related newsletter.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the newsletter by including the following:
  • A copy of the newsletter.
  • The formats/channels utilized for the distribution of the newsletter.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the newsletter is not in English.

The Corporate Newsletter Award recognizes an outstanding problem gambling-related newsletter.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Newsletter Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published an original problem gambling-related newsletter.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact of the newsletter by including the following:
  • A copy of the newsletter.
  • The formats/channels utilized for the distribution of the newsletter.
  • Documentation of the campaign reach.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the newsletter is 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