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 award recognizes an individual who has made sustained contributions on behalf of those impacted by problem gambling through advocacy, research, training, or public awareness, over a period of several years.

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

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 at least three letters of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.
• 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, named for Dr. Robert Custer, a pioneer in the problem gambling field, is bestowed to an exceptional individual who has dedicated significant time and effort to those impacted by problem gambling.

The award honors a person for exceptional long-standing achievement in providing services to people impacted by problem gambling. Direct service is defined as prevention, direct 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 NCPG Annual Conference. 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 at least three letters of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

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 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 Award for Research will be invited to make a special presentation at the next NCPG Annual Conference. 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 at least 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. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

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 at least one letter of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact, and dedication to the problem gambling field. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.
• 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 nominee’s contribution must be verified by at least one letter of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact and dedication to direct service to those impacted by problem gambling. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

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 program development, implementation, training, outreach, or evaluation.

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 program development, implementation, training, outreach, or evaluation.
• The nominee’s contribution must be verified by at least one letter of recommendation outlining their efforts, impact and dedication to problem gambling prevention. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.
• 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 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 at least one letter of recommendation that delineates their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on problem gambling. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

Named for Don Feeney, a responsible gambling pioneer dedicated to removing barriers between the gambling industry and those working in problem gambling treatment and advocacy, 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 in responsible gambling efforts demonstrating excellence in the field. These efforts may include but are not limited to leading or implementing responsible gambling initiatives, advancing practices within their organization, conference presentations, or media appearances.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by at least one letter of recommendation that delineates their competency, length of service, dedication, and their local, regional, or national impact on responsible gambling. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

Named for Denise Phillips, a gambling treatment provider and strong advocate for community outreach, the Denise Phillips Culturally Responsive Community Outreach Award recognizes outstanding advocacy and public awareness efforts designed to reach a specific cultural or identity-based community.

Criteria:

• The Denise Phillips Culturally Responsive Community Outreach Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have at least one year of documented problem gambling advocacy or public awareness work directly impacting cultural, ethnic, or other specified communities.
• The nominee must have documented direct service work to a specific community 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 responsiveness.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by at least 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 responsiveness. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

Named for Dr. Durand Jacobs, who exhibited a lifelong commitment to mentoring students, the Dr. Durand Jacobs Research Award recognizes an exceptional dissertation or master’s thesis on a problem gambling-related topic.

Criteria:

• The Dr. Durand Jacobs Research Award is designed to be awarded to an individual.
• The nominee must have published a master’s thesis or dissertation on a problem gambling-related topic.
• The research must demonstrate exceptional work in support of the understanding of problem gambling or gambling addiction.
• The nominator must provide a summary of the nominee’s research, including a copy of the nominee’s thesis or dissertation abstract, not to exceed two pages.
• The nominee’s work must be verified by at least two letters of recommendation. One letter must be submitted from members of the student’s thesis or dissertation review committee or a direct supervisor. Additional letters will be considered but are not required.

The Media Award recognizes outstanding original reporting 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 in the prior calendar year. 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 mitigating gambling-related harm through responsible gambling initiatives and programs addressing problem gambling.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Social Responsibility Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must demonstrate outstanding leadership in mitigating gambling-related harm and addressing problem gambling. This should be reflected in a comprehensive body of work across the organization, demonstrated through organizational policies, investments, and initiatives, including but not limited to prevention and treatment efforts, research or funding support, policy contributions, consumer protection measures, or public awareness initiatives.
• The nominee must demonstrate the impact, quality, and reach of their initiatives by including the following:
  • A description of the initiative(s) and their intended goals.
  • The target audience(s) or communities reached.
  • Key outcomes or results, including measurable indicators where available.
  • Evidence of effectiveness in reducing harm.
  • Examples of how the work supported impacted individuals and communities.
  • Any supporting materials, data, or documentation that demonstrate impact.

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 NCPG Affiliate.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign in the prior calendar year 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.
  • 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 in the prior calendar year 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.
  • A translation or detailed English-language summary should be provided if the campaign is not in English.

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

Criteria:

• The Affiliate Culturally Responsive Communications Award is designed to be awarded to an NCPG Affiliate.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign in the prior calendar year to raise public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling among a specific cultural or identity-based community 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 Culturally Responsive Communications Award recognizes an outstanding culturally responsive outreach campaign that has increased awareness of problem gambling using integrated communication channels.

Criteria:

• The Corporate Culturally Responsive Communications Award is designed to be awarded to an organization.
• The nominee must have published an original campaign in the prior calendar year to raise public awareness and knowledge of problem gambling among a specific cultural or identity-based community 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 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 NCPG Affiliate.
• The nominee must have developed an original problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
• Nominations must include a standalone asset presented as a single-page visual.
  • Submissions combining multiple elements into one image will not be accepted
  • The asset must be suitable for digital display and will be used for public voting
• Submissions should demonstrate:
  • Clarity and strength of the awareness message.
  • Relevance to problem gambling or responsible gambling awareness.
  • Ability to engage and resonate with a broad audience.

The Corporate People’s Choice Award recognizes an outstanding 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 problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message.
• Nominations must include a standalone asset presented as a single-page visual.
  • Submissions combining multiple elements into one image will not be accepted
  • The asset must be suitable for digital display and will be used for public voting
• Submissions should demonstrate:
  • Clarity and strength of the awareness message
  • Relevance to problem gambling or responsible gambling awareness
  • Ability to engage and resonate with a broad audience

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 / Too Young to Bet 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 NCPG Affiliate member.
• The campaign must be aligned with either Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March), or the Gift Responsibly / Too Young to Bet Campaign.
• 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 / Too Young to Bet 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 / Too Young to Bet Campaign.
• 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.