NCPG Awards Nearly $200k to Five Nonprofits Expanding Problem Gambling Prevention Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced $199,000 in Agility Grant funding has been awarded to support five problem gambling prevention programs across the country.

Launched in 2022, NCPG’s Agility Grants are the first nationwide grant program dedicated to funding problem gambling prevention programs. Supported by the NFL via the NFL Foundation with additional support from FanDuel, the program empowers local organizations to create and expand innovative prevention strategies tailored to their communities. To date, Agility Grants have awarded more than $1.5 million to projects nationwide—building awareness, strengthening protective factors, and expanding access to resources that help communities reduce gambling-related harm.

The Fall 2025 Agility Grant recipients and their projects are:

Massachusetts: Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
Project: AAPI Ambassador Training Program

BCNC will develop and deliver a 10-week bilingual curriculum to prevent problem gambling among low-income, first-generation Chinese-speaking immigrant adults and parents in Boston, Quincy, and Malden. Using the Health Beliefs Model, the program includes workshops, wellness fair outreach, and culturally tailored messaging developed in partnership with a Community Advisory Committee.

Montana: Bridgemont Health and Wellness
Project: Yellowstone County Youth & Family Gambling Prevention Initiative

Bridgemont Health and Wellness will implement a school- and community-based program in Yellowstone County targeting high school freshmen, student-athletes, and parents, with a focus on Native American youth disproportionately impacted by gambling-related harms. The initiative combines classroom prevention curriculum, athlete-focused video and survey programming, and parent outreach through social media and school events to raise awareness, build protective factors, and reduce youth gambling risks.

Nebraska: Nebraska Collegiate Prevention Alliance (NECPA)
Project: NECPA Campus-Based Problem Gambling Prevention Initiative

This statewide effort will engage 26 college campuses and 136,000 students through education, stigma reduction, and data-driven programming to address problem gambling—particularly sports betting—among student-athletes and other high-risk groups. Activities include student-designed PSAs, peer-led campaigns, and professional development for campus health staff.

New York: United Way of Seneca County, Inc.
Project: Lock & Learn: A Mobile Game Plan for Smart Decisions and Gambling Prevention

This mobile, sports-themed escape room experience will engage 300 youth ages 10–18 in Seneca County through interactive locker-based challenges that teach decision-making, financial literacy, and gambling risk awareness. By bringing experiential learning directly to recreation centers and community events, the program removes geographic and socioeconomic barriers to prevention.

Wisconsin: Cia Siab, Inc.
Project: Hmoob Youth Problem Gambling Prevention

Building on a successful 2024 pilot, this program will engage Hmoob (Hmong) youth ages 11–17 in La Crosse County to reduce vulnerability to problem gambling and its link to domestic and dating violence. Youth leaders will co-develop bilingual education materials, deliver public presentations, and participate in the End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin Teen Summit to raise awareness and promote healthier decision-making.

“These grants reflect our commitment to making problem gambling prevention resources accessible, effective, and community-driven,” said Derek Longmeier, NCPG Board President. “Each recipient is doing vital work to reach people where they are — whether that’s on a campus, in a classroom, or within a cultural community — to mitigate risks and expand education before gambling becomes a problem.”

While gambling has become a normalized activity for most Americans—71% of adults report gambling in the past year—research from NCPG’s 2024 National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences (NGAGE 3.0) finds that 8% of U.S. adults, nearly 20 million people, show one or more indicators of problematic gambling behavior. The risk is especially high among younger adults, particularly men under 35, who are more likely to gamble frequently, view gambling as a reliable way to make money, and have less awareness of its potential harms. Globally, nearly one in five youth under 18 have gambled in the past year, underscoring the need for early prevention and education. Servicemembers and veterans are also disproportionately affected, facing twice the risk of developing a gambling problem compared to civilians.

For more information about the Agility Grants program and future funding opportunities, visit NCPGambling.org/agility.