News writer, Interviewer
When the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was founded in 1972, it was a small, all-volunteer operation. More than five decades later, it's the largest national nonprofit working to minimize the economic and social costs of gambling addiction. The organization has modernized its helpline, expanded digital resources, and built responsible gambling initiatives that meet people where they actually gamble.
But Executive Director Heather Maurer is quick to point out that some things haven't moved — and shouldn't. "What hasn't changed is just as important," she said. NCPG has remained "firmly neutral on legalized gambling, with a robust mission of mitigating gambling-related harm." It's still a collaborative, member-driven organization. Maurer commented:
That balance of evolution and consistency has allowed us to stay relevant while remaining grounded in our core mission.
That mission is being tested. Gambling is more accessible, more normalized, and more embedded in daily life than at any point in the organization's history. And the communities NCPG serves are feeling it.
When communities lead, people get help
This year's Problem Gambling Awareness Month theme, Caring Communities, Stronger Futures, speaks directly to that reality. With no dedicated federal funding for problem gambling, local networks have become the backbone of prevention and support. Maurer explained:
"Support doesn't just come from one place. It's built collectively by friends, families, educators, healthcare providers, local organizations, and policymakers."
In practice, that looks like awareness campaigns, gambling risk education in schools, and screening integrated into primary care. The reason these efforts land?
Messages are far more impactful when they come from someone people know and trust within their own community.
Measuring that impact isn't straightforward. But Maurer watches for one signal above all others: who's in the room.
Are we engaging healthcare providers, community organizations, educators, and faith leaders, or are we only speaking to those already working in problem gambling?
Each year, the answer broadens. "That kind of growth tells us we're moving in the right direction."
The barriers that keep people from asking for help
Even when communities rally, individuals still have to take that first step. For many, the distance between recognizing a problem and reaching out is enormous.
Stigma is the biggest obstacle. Maurer explained:
Many people still incorrectly view gambling addiction as a personal failing or lack of willpower rather than a recognized behavioral health condition, which leads to lower rates of treatment seeking.
Add a general lack of awareness about where to turn, and a system where access to care varies dramatically by zip code, and the picture becomes stark.
Funding problem gambling programs is determined at the state level with no federal investment, which has led to an inconsistent patchwork of services.
That's why the National Problem Gambling Helpline exists. Now reached at 1-800-MY-RESET, the new number was driven by "a need to make the helpline more memorable, approachable, and reflective of how we want people to think about seeking help." The priority is simple:
The door is open, and people have an easy-to-remember way to access problem gambling support whenever they're ready.
A workforce that can't keep up with demand
Access isn't only about helplines. It's also about having enough trained professionals to deliver care, and right now, the workforce isn't there.
Earlier this month, Minnesota flagged a shortage of culturally competent counselors, particularly for communities of color and immigrant populations. Maurer confirmed it's a national problem. Gambling disorder "often co-occurs with conditions like substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder, and depression, yet is frequently overlooked during the diagnostic process."
More providers need gambling-specific training. Better insurance coverage through Medicare and Medicaid would bring more into the space. And throughout, she insisted, there must be "intentional investment in culturally responsive care, ensuring services are designed to meet the needs of the communities they serve."
The youngest gamblers
A Harris Poll conducted on behalf of NCPG found that nearly two-thirds of adults, sixty-five percent, report gambling in some form before the age of 21. In Minnesota alone, an estimated 7,000 high school students are affected. Two-thirds of Americans say they're worried about underage exposure to gambling and gambling-adjacent activities like loot boxes and sports betting ads.
The forces driving it are interconnected: advertising saturation, round-the-clock digital access, and "the normalization of gambling as part of the fan experience when watching sports." Together, Maurer warned:
These trends are making it more important than ever to prioritize prevention and education efforts aimed at young people.
Prediction markets and the case for federal action
Sports betting reshaped the landscape following the 2018 legalization. Prediction markets may do it again. Volume surged 2,700% around the Super Bowl alone. NCPG's position is unambiguous. "Prediction markets, regardless of the legal definition, are functionally gambling," Maurer stated. What makes them especially concerning is that people often don't recognize them as such.
"That lack of recognition can reduce the likelihood that individuals will use responsible gambling tools or seek help if they experience harm." Consumer protections and access to help resources, she argued, shouldn't be optional. "Those safeguards should be standard."
Against that backdrop, NCPG estimates 20 million American adults showed at least one sign of problematic gambling last year. Maurer observed:
Gambling is more visible, more accessible, and more normalized than ever before. That's why it's critical that we act now.
Legislation like the POINTS Act, she argued, would help build "a consistent, nationwide safety net, including prevention, treatment, and research."
What lotteries owe players
State lotteries occupy a unique position: a broad reach and a real stake in reducing harm. Maurer remarked:
That comes with an obligation to promote player health, provide clear information about risks, and ensure that help resources are visible and accessible.
More lotteries are participating in Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the Gift Responsibly Campaign each year, a welcome trend. However, she's direct about its limits. "These efforts should serve as a foundation, not the finish line." For lotteries ready to go further, NCPG's Responsible Gambling Framework Certification Program offers a tiered path from baseline awareness to sustained, measurable action. The tools are there. The question is whether the will follows.
For help with a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-MY-RESET or visit ncpgambling.org
