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Conference Track Key:
| TX – Treatment | REC – Recovery & Community | ML – Military |
| RG – Responsible Gambling | PX – Prevention | SP – Safer Sports Betting |
Time | Session Details |
6:00 PM | Welcome Reception |
Heather Chapman, PhD, ICGC-II, BACC
50 years ago, Dr. Robert Custer and the Cleveland VA Medical Center listened and took a chance. Members of the local Gamblers Anonymous described their concerns. People were struggling. Could there be treatment for problem gambling, as there was for substance use issues? Since this time, the field of gambling treatment has benefited from tremendous efforts from people all over the world.
Learning Objectives:
Deborah Haskins, PhD, ICGC-II, BACC
Do you remember James Brown’s revolutionary hit song in the 1960s, “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud!!!??” This song was written to empower Black persons/communities in response to a world that stripped away their families, injured them systemically, and failed to see them as human beings. This song, while written over 50 years ago, continues to inspire Dr. Haskins and her work to integrate health equity and cultural context through a social justice lens to support people who experience gambling disorder.
Learning Objectives:
Marlene Warner
Rachel Volberg, PhD
Dr. Volberg will reflect on the intersections between the risks of gambling and risks that she has taken over a 37-year career studying gambling and gambling harms. She will reflect on her role in helping to establish the academic field of gambling research, working through research and service to heighten awareness of the impacts of gambling and mentoring colleagues. She will touch on the influences of her parents growing up in the Bronx in the 1930s and her childhood experiences living in Africa and Europe, as well as the concept of Tikkun Olam, the Judaic precept to “repair the world.”
Learning Objectives:
Keith Whyte
Join NCPG Executive Director, Keith Whyte, to review highlights of the conference sessions and reflections on the future of the field.
Learning Objectives:
David Ledgerwood, PhD
Studies show a compelling association between problem gambling and trauma, including high rates of childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals with gambling disorder (GD). However, there are currently no controlled trials examining interventions for treating GD and PTSD concurrently. Our aims are to: 1) provide an overview of the research literature on GD and trauma/PTSD; and 2) describe the results of a newly completed clinical trial that compares a telehealth-based Seeking Safety (SS), an integrated treatment for PTSD and addiction, to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT-PG), which addresses gambling alone.
Learning Objectives:
Andrew Schreier, ICGC-I
The opioid epidemic has devastated the nation for years. Treatment providers have been working on improving their quality of care to include medicated-assisted treatment, online support groups, training in trauma, use of motivational interviewing, and several other evidence-based practices. Where does gambling fit in among a large population of people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder? This presentation will focus on reviewing survey findings from several medicated-assisted treatment clinics on identifying gambling among the population of patients as well as the substance use professionals and their experience and training on gambling.
Learning Objectives:
Kristen Beall, ICGC-I
Research supports the importance of screening for problem gambling/disordered gambling, especially as it relates to possible co-occurring disorders. Each March, there is a dedicated national campaign, National Problem Gambling Screening Day, to encourage all organizations to screen for problem gambling. At the end of Fiscal Year 2021, The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling had engaged with over 300 behavioral health providers to integrate problem gambling screening within their organizations. To that end, the Center has developed a screening conversation tool kit that can be presented to and implemented within existing organizational practices.
Learning Objectives:
Sandra Adell, PhD; Karen Reddick; Cassandra Belton
The expansion of casino gambling across the US is having a devastating impact on vulnerable communities, particularly the Black community. Among those within the community who are becoming addicted to gambling at an alarming rate are Black women. However, there is very little research into the underlying causes of why Black women are turning to casino gambling as their primary form of leisure activity. In fact, the only published account of gambling addictions among Black women is a 2009 Florida study. Based on calls to the States gambling helpline, it concluded that gambling rates among Black women were 51 percent higher than those of Black men. The main reason that research among Black women is so sparse is because it’s difficult to find Black women who are willing to share their stories of addiction and recovery. This panel, titled Better Together seeks to change that by presenting three Black women whose stories will provide insights into the following questions/problems: What are the emotional and health risks to Black women who become addicted? Why are they not seeking treatment? What are the limitations of current treatment and recovery practices? Specifically, how does the intersection of race, gender, and class affect our decisions about what we reveal about ourselves, both in the presumed safe spaces of treatment programs and support groups, and in public forums where our collective voices may help other Black women who continue to suffer in silence.
Learning Objectives:
Debi LaPlante, PhD; Victor Ortiz; Heather M. Gray, PhD; Amanda Ayers
This workshop will highlight the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center (M-TAC) development, approach, and initial implementation strategies. The MA Department of Public Health (DPH) Office of Problem Gambling Services has partnered with Health Resources in Action and the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance to develop and implement M-TAC. M-TAC provides DPH-funded clinical and community-based substance use treatment programs with tailored training, technical assistance, and resources to build program capacity to address problem gambling and reduce health disparities. This session will describe the innovative work of M-TAC and the comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to increasing capacity around problem gambling treatment services.
Learning Objectives:
Suzanne Koch Eckenrode, ICGC-II
In her 20-years of working with gamblers and their loved ones, Suzanne Koch Eckenrode has identified several emerging issues: crises, intense or cut off emotions, great financial insecurity, instability, powerful triggers, broken trust, poor coping, loss of connection to the body, intuition, and others. If clients’ nervous systems and defenses prevail, recovery will be hindered. Polyvagal Theory and Adaptive Information Processing are neuro-informed, cutting-edge clinical approaches that emphasize that the nervous system is always working towards health and wellness, survival, and adaptation. This presentation will demonstrate how using an integrative, evidence-based approach can help clients better navigate recovery and healing.
Learning Objectives:
Jody Bechtold, ICGC-II, BACC; Stephanie Diez-Morel, PhD, ICGC-II, BACC
While much of the population can participate in these gambling and gaming activities without developing any issues, there is a small percentage of people who are unable to maintain responsible levels of play. The first step to helping is identifying the areas of convergence between gaming and gambling that go beyond loot boxes. During this workshop, participants will learn about the problems that may be associated with each, how elements of gambling can be found in gaming, how problems may develop and overlap, and what help is available for someone who is suffering from gambling disorder and gaming addiction.
Learning Objectives:
Michael Buzzelli; Cory Brown
This session will review Ohio’s systematic approach to building the infrastructure for gambling support services. Gambling Helpline operators are trained in problem gambling and suicide prevention on an annual basis to support the nearly 5,000 annual calls to the helpline. A key component of Ohio’s system is engagement with operators and regulators. Industry collaboration can be seen through each of Ohio’s casino and racino venues providing property tours for workforce professionals and industry participation at conferences and other events. PGNO provides ongoing opportunities to not only keep the workforce educated on problem gambling but also to build an engaged workforce.
Learning Objectives:
Lori Rugle, PhD, ICGC-II, BACC; Wiley Harwell, ICGC-II
Staying satisfied with what is comfortable and familiar does not help us grow, learn, and change. Practicing letting go of our “oldies but goodies” and viewing our work from a beginner’s mind perspective is key to staying grounded in best practices and the most current knowledge in our field. This workshop will focus on how we can challenge ourselves and each other to release what may be idiosyncratic and/or outdated practices and information and to challenge ourselves to work on the edge of our comfort zones to provide the best practices and most current knowledge to those we serve.
Learning Objectives:
Jackie Stanmyre; Devin Mills, PhD; Wen Li Anthony, PhD; Lia Nower, PhD, JD
The present study investigated the five facets of mindfulness and nonattachment in individuals who gamble to identify latent profiles and explore descriptive differences in those profiles relative to etiological precursors to problem gambling. This study extends prior findings by clarifying nuances among specific profiles of mindfulness that could bear on levels of problem gambling severity. Across groups, mindfulness is a promising framework to guide investigations into prevention and intervention with individuals who experience gambling problems.
Learning Objectives:
Marc Lefkowitz, ICGC-II; Members of the Recovery Committee
This workshop will provide sound bites and commentary from individuals with Gambling Disorders and concerned others. It will provide a unique experience of what Gambling Disorder looks and sounds like as it progresses through the stages of problem gambling. It will also illustrate how, with stakeholder involvement, and a myriad of recovery resources, the messages from these voices will evoke hope, rebuilding, and growth.
Learning Objectives:
Shirley Hoak, JD, ICGC-II
Unprecedented growth and expansion of gambling over the last few years, especially in sports gambling. has brought a new population of people seeking help and looking to reduce the harm caused by their gambling. Abstinence remains a necessary and critical path to recovery for some but not all. Harm Reduction requires treatment, recovery, prevention, and all fields in problem gambling to undergo a shift and develop a curiosity about whether reducing harm is a treatment outcome that providers and peer counselors can support and accept.
Learning Objectives:
Kaitlin Brown, ICGC-II, BACC; Kelly Leppard
The CT Council on Problem Gambling has collaborated with the Fox 61 Student News Program to include Gambling as a Co-Occurring issue as a category for student selection for the first time. Through this program, students can utilize information gained to highlight areas of interest including potential risk factors for developing a problem with gambling, educating the public on the warning signs of a problem developing particularly for youth, policies and responsible gambling efforts in our state to reduce harm to consumers, or interviews with people who have lived experience from gambling related problems to share stories of recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Heather Wardle, PhD
Great Britain has one of the most liberal regimes for gambling in the world, where both online gambling and a variety of land-based forms of gambling are available. This paper will draw out key lessons learned during Britain’s liberalization of gambling, focusing on the practices that drive the industry, the marketing and advertising environment that are a symptom of these models and the impact this has on behavior. By drawing parallels with states and jurisdictions that are just beginning their own process of liberalization, we will seek to learn lessons about what does and doesn’t work for gambling regulation.
Learning Objectives:
Jennifer Shatley, PhD; Jacob Coin
For 25+ years, UNLV International Gaming Institute has provided research-based solutions, cutting-edge insights, and executive education to the gaming industry. In 2020, a $9M donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to UNLV was announced as a gift to develop education initiatives in the areas of tribal gaming operations and law. SMBMI partnered with UNLV’s IGI to develop a fully customized and innovative responsible gaming program that incorporates the input of Tribal leadership, executive management, team members, and guests to develop a responsible gaming program that will be the first of its kind in the world.
Learning Objectives:
Kitty Martz; Christina Cook
Upon entering gambling recovery, Christina began producing and hosting “The Broke Girl Society”. This highly popular, woman-focused international podcast quickly became a platform to talk about her own recovery and created agency for other women to do the same. Almost a decade ago, Kitty’s recovery involved interviews with local and national media, participating in a documentary, testifying in front of legislators, and appearing in gambling treatment campaigns. This presentation is the story of two different women who have selected public paths of navigating recovery. They discuss how these choices relate to accountability, stigma, relapse, and their own sense of meaning.
Learning Objectives:
Odessa Dwarika; Jodie Nealley
In 2011 the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act allowed for the development of casinos while building protections for people who gamble. These protections included Voluntary Self Exclusion Information Centers staffed by independent GameSense Advisors. GameSense Advisors offer referrals to treatment and self-help to those individuals making the decision to self-exclude. In June of 2019, the MACGH introduced Telephone Recovery Support (TRS). Recoverees are offered support, encouragement, and information about resources that may help them seek or maintain their recovery. MACGH began implementing an evaluation in 2021 to measure if TRS is an effective support for those who VSE for problematic gambling.
Learning Objectives:
Hannah Carliner, PhD; Kellie Gage
In 2021, a mixed-methods assessment of gambling and problem gambling, including surveys of residents and frequent gamblers, focus groups, interviews, secondary data analysis, and reviews of best and emerging practices was conducted. This session will discuss how assessment findings can inform comprehensive statewide social determinants of health (SDoH) approach to problem gambling, given the recent expansion in gambling availability.
Learning Objectives:
Sheila Moran, ICGC-I
Programs that provide problem gambling helpline, prevention, and treatment services must compete with the urgency of other public health issues to disseminate their message through the media. Many in the public still don’t believe gambling addiction is a “real” issue. A solution to this may include a dedicated campaign to generate free stories through earned media. We will talk about how to work with local outlets to generate stories that focus on problem gambling and show the audience that this is a serious disorder while highlighting the services your organization provides.
Learning Objectives:
Nathan Smith, PhD; David Yeager
In this session, Dr. Smith will summarize the most recent research on gambling harm among US service members including risk and protective factors, prevalence and measurement issues, and a birds-eye view of the research field as it stands today. Dr. Smith will also present information from a new study of responsible gambling on military bases and will conclude by introducing “50x4Vets”, Kindbridge Research Institute’s new program to multiply the research produced on the topic.
Learning Objectives:
Jonathan Crandall; David Yeager
Military culture is rich with tradition, a tradition that includes gambling. Gambling has been a part of today’s military since the civil war. At times, serving in the military can leave an individual struggling to cope. Understanding military culture from its indoctrination through one’s service will assist us in developing policy and education for the prevention of problem gambling behavior. To effectively treat problem gambling behavior among our military service members and veterans, stigma, a trait entrenched with the rich history of military service, must be addressed.
Learning Objectives:
David Yeager; Shawna Black; Brianne Doura-Schawohl; Rich Taylor; Amanda Winters
As a capstone to the military track of the 2022 NCPG Annual Conference, join us for an educational overview followed by a guided panel that will provide attendees with a broad understanding of the impact problem gambling has on the military family and loved ones.
Learning Objectives:
Tammy Reiff, ICGC-II
Military Veterans suffer from problem gambling up to two times that of the civilian population. Additionally, Veterans with gambling issues have a higher rate of suicide than the civilian population. The VA is a complex healthcare system that can be overwhelming and intimidating at times. This presentation will help you learn how to identify problem gambling within this special population. You will learn how to assist your Veteran in navigating this complex system. Understanding the branches of the VA and “learning the lingo” can be very useful when assisting a Veteran to engage in treatment at the VA.
Learning Objectives:
Rich Taylor; Kevin Wensing
Statistics about gambling addiction among military personnel and veterans are stark yet there is still not enough national attention to ensure that those who serve/served receive the resources they deserve to prevent and treat gambling addiction. NCPG Military Committee Chair Rich Taylor will interview retired US Navy Captain Kevin Wensing about his experience working with the Gary Sinise Foundation and USO to address Veterans’ health issues and the opportunities and challenges to raise the profile of problem gambling.
Learning Objectives:
Rep. Paul Tucker; Marlene Warner
The National Coalition of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) is developing a resolution to help states develop their own robust responsible gambling guidelines. The resolution developed by the NCLGS Responsible Gambling Committee is designed to offer enough guidance for policymakers for legislation and regulation with enough space so that as technology and the field evolve this is still an appropriate and useful document.
Learning Objectives:
Chrissy Thurmond; Julie Hynes
In the responsible gaming space, what good looks like has tended to be viewed from the lens of following overseas operators, who often have seasoned and well-funded programs, bolstered with increasingly strict regulatory requirements. U.S. operators, however, are adjusting to new markets and jurisdictional distinctions that are unique to the U.S. landscape. In this workshop, we will discuss current opportunities and challenges in U.S. responsible gaming among online commercial operators, foundations of a systems-based program in this space, up-to-date examples and metrics of evidence-based programming in practice, and potential for cross-sector partnerships across various stakeholder groups.
Learning Objectives:
Marlene Warner; Charles McIntyre; Chris Davis
Lotteries are still by far the form of gambling with the highest participation, making them a key stakeholder in responsible gambling. The New England region includes the oldest lottery as well as the lottery with the highest per capita sales. These very different lotteries face an array of challenges in social responsibility as they add online gambling and sports betting to traditional games but have developed innovative responses on a number of responsible gambling issues.
Learning Objectives:
Raquel Buari, JD
There are many variables that make the internet gaming space more susceptible to gambling addiction while at the same time being seemingly more difficult to recognize gambling addictions in the faceless patrons that the online platforms serve. To add to that, there can be nuances in the fact that tribal operators are licensed by and regulated by many for the first time – State Regulators, who may have the same or differing regulations. As this industry grows, we must proactively talk about our best practices to ensure that tribal operators remain at the forefront of responsible gaming practices.
Learning Objectives:
Victor Ortiz; Lorena Lama; Christian Teja
Since 2016, the MA Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) has led a public health response to mitigate harm associated with gambling. An important element of these efforts is working in partnership and collaboration with multiple sectors. OPGS has established a formal collaboration with the Mass. State Lottery Commission to expand the lens of Responsible Gambling to include public health strategies to ensure reach and effectiveness. This workshop will provide a conceptional framework, goals, and initial outcomes of collaborative efforts including the annual holiday campaign, training for lottery staff, and promotion of state helpline services.
Learning Objectives:
Linh Ho
Linh Ho, fluent in Vietnamese, leads the GameSense team’s outreach efforts to the Asian Community. He provides presentations to community organizations, attends events that are designed to appeal to the Asian community, tables and provides information at Asian retail centers, and even occasionally rides the bus back and forth between Chinatown and Encore Boston Harbor Casino. He leads efforts to develop and implement educational activities around Asian holidays and special events. Through these efforts, he has built extensive relationships with the Asian community. This has led to an enhanced understanding of healthy gambling behavior, as well as more voluntary self-exclusion.
Learning Objectives:
Sasha Stark, PhD
Our understanding of jackpot winners is limited. This project focuses on identifying how jackpot winners are impacted by winning and by responsible gambling messaging. A key piece of this work involves developing and testing approaches to support players to use their wins in a sustainable way by maximizing the benefits and reducing the risks. We also seek to identify the impacts of winning over time. This presentation will review results from a review on winnersfocused research and a baseline survey completed by jackpot winners at 3 MGM properties. It will consider winners’ demographics, jackpot details, and gambling beliefs and behaviors.
Learning Objectives
Jade Luchauer; Jesse Saccoccio
This session will explore responsible gaming in the age of digital from a technology supplier’s standpoint. IGT’s Director of Play Command will walk through the responsible gaming features available in iLottery from both the player and operator perspectives. Along with the Sr. Manager Global Sustainability, they will discuss the opportunities and challenges supplier’s face in delivering operator and player desires while remaining true to IGT’s commitment to responsible gaming. This includes changing corporate culture and building infrastructure to support informed and responsible play.
Learning Objectives:
Jamie Hummingbird; Dan Hartman; David L. Rebuck, JD, Becky Harris; Cathy Judd-Stein
Learn from leading casino regulators how they are addressing the surge in sports betting advertising and how they balance revenue and responsibility. They will discuss the role of the regulation in responsible gambling as well as the opportunities and obligations regulators have regarding the data operators collect on players and how it may be used for responsible gambling.
Learning Objectives:
Jaime Costello
Helplines are the core of addiction and mental health support services. They connect individuals with care, distribute resources, and educate callers. While the role of helplines hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years, the environment we’re working in is vastly different. Join NCPG in this session to explore the growth of the National Problem Gambling Helpline, the challenges faced by this and other helplines across the country, and what the future of helpline services looks like for problem gambling and other mental health conditions.
Learning Objectives:
James Syphax
CampusCENTS is an online, self-directed course developed by Prevention Action Alliance (formerly Drug-Free Action Alliance), funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) with development overseen by Ohio’s collaborative, Ohio for Responsible Gambling made up of the Ohio Lottery, the Casino Control Commission, and the Ohio Racing Commission. The objective of the project is to promote responsible gambling by offering financial information, resources, support, and guidance to 18 25-year-olds.
Learning Objectives:
Alison Drain
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program has been delivering Stacked Deck, a problem gambling prevention curriculum, to over 40 middle schools and high schools for years. However, 2019 also brought the pandemic and school closings. The prevention coordinator worked with a team to record all of the current Stacked Deck lessons and release them online. 240 students successfully completed the entire online program.
Learning Objectives:
Cory Brown
Ohio has been at the forefront of gambling treatment workforce development innovation since 2016 when the Ohio Disordered Gambling Treatment Supervision Fellowship Program was created. The program’s original function was to build capacity around gambling treatment supervision in the state, but with few gambling counselors, the focus shifted to improving existing gambling treatment services, providing professional development for Fellows, and strengthening Ohio’s gambling treatment workforce. From 2016 to 2020, the Fellowship Program graduated 28 treatment professionals from
across Ohio.
Learning Objectives:
Michael Buzzelli
As gambling and gaming continue to merge, we find ourselves with a growing need to collaborate with professionals who have expertise in special content areas and in niche fields. Collaboration is defined as “working with someone to produce or create something.” But is it really that simple? In this short presentation, the facilitator will use an example of NCPG Ohio and PA affiliates collaborating with a university, its faculty, and Esports researchers to deliver a robust and impactful program on gambling, gaming, and how to support a peer who may be struggling.
Learning Objectives:
Heather Eshleman
The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling promotes monthly public health awareness campaigns. The Center maximizes outreach of underage and problem gambling awareness messaging for these campaigns by engaging with organizations to create and promote their own awareness messaging. The Center develops detailed awareness toolkit guides which provide ready-made strategies and messages, and widely distributes these toolkits to organizations.
Learning Objectives:
Mina Hazar; Adela Colhon
Co-Morbidity in disordered gambling is common and individuals who seek mental health or substance-use treatment often have a co-occurring gambling problem. Outcomes may be improved when separate treatment modalities for these disorders are offered in combination. It is increasingly important for prevention and education specialists to increase awareness about the matter so treatment providers and mental health practitioners screen individuals presenting with gambling problems for mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This presentation increases the awareness of the link between problem gambling and other related conditions (e.g., mental illness, substance use disorder) among service providers working with vulnerable populations.
Learning Objectives:
Alison Drain; Stephanie Diez-Morel, PhD, ICGC-II, BACC
Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU) includes problematic use of gaming, social media, pornography, and information seeking on the internet. A co-occurring disorder that presents with PIMU is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research indicates that children with Gaming Disorder (GD) consistently show symptoms associated with a diagnosis of ADHD. The presentation will include an understanding of how impulsivity and emotional dysregulation affect those living with ADHD and how these symptoms of ADHD are also risk factors for developing a behavioral addiction in the form of PIMU, Gaming Disorder, or Gambling Disorder.
Learning Objectives:
Daniel Trolaro
Gambling traditionally involves three elements: prize, chance, and consideration. And while certain activities can be debated as to whether or not they constitute gambling, it is always important to address the mechanics, behaviors, and potential for harm. One such activity that has seen explosive growth is in the world of day trading. This workshop will provide a basic walkthrough into the world of investments and types of trading, explore the connection between day trading and gambling, and identify the warning signs and potential for harm.
Learning Objectives:
Maria Garner, ICGC-II; George Hicks; Danny Nam; Octavia Mercado; Abdallah Mobaideen; Ala Shaikhkhalil
Gambling issues are expressed differently in each culture. This session will take a team approach in addressing the need to build alliances in different communities in order to gain a better understanding of each to serve them more effectively. We will examine the concept of Culture humility, building on existing programs, and avoiding cultural arrogance. Finally, we will share the process and results from a joint effort between the Asian American Community Services, Maryhaven Gambling Intervention Program, Representative from Ohio in Arabic, and a representative from Mercardo inc. Panel format with Questions and Answer section included.
Learning Objectives:
Jeff Marotta, PhD, ICGC-II; Linda Graves, ICGC-II
Every three to five years the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services (NAADGS) gathers information about problem gambling services in the United States. This surveillance effort takes the form of a state-by-state review of reports, government documents, and most importantly enlisting the help of key informants to provide detailed information. This presentation will describe what was discovered about problem gambling services in the U.S. in 2021, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected problem gambling services, with findings compared to previous survey years.
Learning Objectives:
Heather Eshleman
Starting in 2019, the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling Prevention Office developed a plan to conduct a prevention needs assessment. Focus groups and key interviews of target populations were conducted to assess the “why” of the public health problem of underage and problem gambling. This workshop will provide an overview of the process and tools needed to conduct an underage and problem gambling prevention needs assessment in a local jurisdiction or state. Preliminary results of the Maryland needs assessment will be presented as well as successes and challenges of conducting an underage and problem gambling prevention needs assessment.
Learning Objectives:
Heang Rubin, PhD; Yoyo Yau; Mia Colby; Ben Hires
There are many causes of problem gambling in the Asian community, including poverty, social, and cultural loss due to immigration, and unhealthy stress relief. The current study sought to understand how problem gambling manifests in the Asian community and to understand whether existing programs, services, and interventions are adequately serving this immigrant community. This report provides an in-depth look at gambling’s negative impacts on family and community as it pertains specifically to the Asian community. This report also looks at the role of the casinos in exacerbating gambling in the Asian community and whether this community is being adequately served.
Learning Objectives:
Elizabeth Thielen; Wiley D. Harwell, DMin, ICGC-II; Tom Bartlett; Barbara Rollins
A strategic NCPG initiative funded by the National Football League Foundation, Agility Grants offer funding to nonprofit organizations across the country for problem gambling prevention programs. The goal of these grants is to fill in gaps for areas that currently have no such services, as well as bolster promising efforts in existing programs. Funding will support prevention programming innovation and amplification. Learn more about the Round 1 grantees and their programs.
Learning Objectives:
Don Feeney
The National Survey of Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experience – NGAGE 2.0 – examined public perceptions of gambling over the past 3 years as sports betting expanded nationwide. Join NGAGE Principal Researcher Don Feeney as he reviews the key findings of the NGAGE 2.0 survey, the current status of public opinion and implications for prevention.
Victor Ortiz; Heang Rubin, PhD; Yoyo Yau
Problem gambling is governed by a complex set of interrelating factors, causes, and determinants ranging from biology and family history to social norms and existing statutes. Research indicates that gambling is interrelated with various health issues and disproportionately impacts individuals with mental health disorders, substance misuse disorders and communities of color. Since 2016, the Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) has implemented a social-ecological method to carry out a public health response to problem gambling. This workshop will feature the results of CommunityLevel Health Project-Everett: a comprehensive community engagement and empowerment effort to promote health and well-being.
Learning Objectives:
Daniel Trolaro
As sports wagering continues to expand across the country, it is important that education and prevention remain at the forefront of this rapid growth. This workshop will explore the work that EPIC Risk Management is doing with the NCAA to educate and inform the student athlete around the risks of developing a gambling related problem while preserving the integrity of the game.
Learning Objectives:
Tim Fong, MD
As sports betting expands rapidly throughout the United States, there are essential questions about how this impacts psychological, physical and social health. This workshop will explore and discuss how gambling advertising impacts gambling behavior, what impact sports betting may have on mental and physical well-being and the implications of a society embedded with instant and constant access to sports betting. Of particular interest is exploring how sports betting impacts individual mental and physical health as compared to other forms of gambling such as electronic gaming machines, table games or the lottery.
Learning Objectives:
Jeffrey L. Derevensky, PhD
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has been collecting information on college student-athletes every four years, beginning in 2004. With the growing number of states permitting and regulating sports wagering there has been a general concern about youth problem gambling. In particular, a number of researchers have raised concerns about athletes’ sports wagering. This presentation will examine gambling behaviors and trends among college student-athletes. The most recent data from the 2020 cohort will be discussed along with specific recommendations for prevention and treatment.
Learning Objectives:
Long Banh; Marlene Warner
The legalization of casinos and lotteries in the United States has boomed over the past 30 years. Now, with sports betting legalized in 30 states and many more poised to follow suit, a new wave of expansion is here. Presenters in this session will make the case that slim but convincing evidence necessitates a continued focus on public health strategies to minimize harm. However, these strategies need to be adaptable, span physical and digital space and require the cooperation of industry, regulators, and public health stakeholders. Specific responsible gaming strategies and research underpinnings will be shared.
Learning Objectives:
Jim Brown; John Parsons, PhD; Caryl Banks; Brianne Doura-Schawohl
Experts look at the impact of sports wagering on athletes. Athletes today face unprecedented stress and scrutiny related to gambling. Issues include athletic performance and mental health, social media, integrity, and gambling problems.
Learning Objectives:
Uibin Lee; Devin Mills, PhD; Kelly M. Chroback, PhD
Research on the psychology of greed (i.e., a strong materialistic desire) offers a novel construct that has not yet been explored in relation to problem gambling. The present study tested a conceptual model in which dispositional greed explains the association between controlled orientation and problem gambling severity. Participants were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to complete an online survey. Consistent with the hypotheses, dispositional greed partially mediated the association between controlled orientation and problem gambling. These are the first findings to show a positive association between greed and problem gambling. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Abraham Caballero
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a 12-step-based self-help program for individuals with gambling problems. When used in conjunction with psychotherapy, GA may help increase abstinence rates up to fourteen months after discharge from treatment. Relative to non-Latino Caucasians, psychotherapy utilization rates are lower for minority groups, particularly Latinos, and anecdotal reports suggest GA is also used less frequently. The current study explored the impact of GA engagement, defined as having a GA sponsor at intake or acquired during treatment, on participation in a state-funded gambling psychotherapy treatment program by race/ethnicity. Specifically, the study examined if GA engagement or race/ethnic group membership were related to the number of psychotherapy sessions attended. We then explored how the number of sessions attended correlated with treatment outcomes. The data for these analyses were from clients entering treatment between July 1st, 2017, and April 2nd, 2022, and included surveys from three-time points: intake, in-treatment, and end-of-treatment. A total of 2,776 records were included, of which 46% of clients were non-Latino Caucasian, 9% were African-American, 14% were Latino, 18% were API, and 13% were in the Other race/ethnicity category. Results indicated that most clients did not have a sponsor, but of those that did, non-Latino Whites had a higher percentage than the other race/ethnic groups. Having a GA sponsor during treatment was associated with an increase in the average number of sessions attended. Session attendance is important because it was associated with treatment outcomes such as reductions in depression and craving, as well as increased quality of life.
Joseph Deckro; Kendra Pugh
U.S. Veterans diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) are vulnerable to comorbid substance use disorders. Research suggests this group is susceptible to comorbid gambling problems, however, no data exists on the pervasiveness of gambling among Veterans with SMI. This study sought to identify prevalence data for problem gambling (PG) among Veterans with SMI and obtain information regarding gambling behaviors by Veterans with SMI. This study suggests that while estimated rates of gambling among Veterans with SMI are similar to Veterans receiving behavioral health services at Bedford VAMC, the consequences of gambling are more severe for Veterans with SMI.
Learning Objectives:
Jeremie Richard
Research suggests that certain major mental disorders are likely to co-occur among adolescents. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to model how symptoms of disordered gambling and disordered gaming fit into the higher-order structure of psychopathology. Survey responses were collected from 6,580 high-school students. Measures included frequency of gambling, disordered gambling, frequency of video gaming, disordered gaming, depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, aggressive symptoms, delinquency, and various substance use behaviors. Findings suggest that during adolescence, gambling problems are best classified and conceptualized in the realm of externalizing disorders, whereas gaming problems may share overlap with both externalizing and internalizing problems.
Learning Objectives:
Daniel Field; David Leong
Utilizing qualitative interviews with five young male problem sports bettors who meet at least five of nine diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (DSM-V), this study looks at the crucial question of effective counseling techniques that result in a substantial reduction of problematic gambling behaviors in individuals who have received at least one-month outpatient treatment. The study will examine the implementation of individualized treatment planning in outpatient settings and how a “one-size fits all” approach to treatment is not generally as effective as a unique individualized approach that adjusts treatment goals to clients’ stated objectives.
Learning Objectives:
Vena Schexnayder
The recovery community is constantly evolving and requires strategic communications and updated resources. Mental health agencies and government organizations must understand the power of social media and various strategies to connect to the recovery community properly. This presentation aims to understand how to reframe the messaging of responsible play and gaming. First, a case study is presented, followed by a review of the strategy and analysis of the ARPG Council organization’s social media to reach the evolving recovery community. The case study results reveal the different techniques that help build and maintain strategic relationships with community stakeholders.
Learning Objectives:
Kendra Pugh
Problem gambling (PG) can have devastating impacts on the gambler and the community. Evidence shows that those that live close to gambling venues, and/or in areas with a high concentration of gambling availability are at greater risk of developing a gambling problem. This presentation will explore the relationship between lottery gambling in Massachusetts and the zip-code where gambling occurs. Knowledge of where the at-risk locations for PG are concentrated and the general status of their circumstances is important to identify where public health resources and interventions are needed.
Learning Objectives:
Jaime Costello
As the National Council on Problem Gambling launches its modernization of the National Problem Gambling Helpline, many questions come to the surface. What exactly does “modernization” mean? Why is the project happening? What does this project mean for state affiliates and call centers? Visit our poster session during the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling 2022 to see an illustration of the full Modernization Project process. Staff will be on hand during each poster session timeslot to shed light on everything related to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Modernization Project.
Learning Objectives:
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