NC’s Problem Gambling Program Kicks Off Awareness Campaign as March Madness Approaches
Rewritten Article:
Get ready to dive into Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)! Kicking off this March and running alongside the NCAA Championships, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is spearheading the call to bring awareness to compulsive gambling issues.
This year's PGAM campaign is all about understanding the intricate mental health challenges associated with problem gambling. According to the NCPG, between 5 and 8 million Americans are grappling with mild to moderate gambling issues, with a staggering 2.5 million experiencing more severe problems.
Cait Huble, Director of Communications for the NCPG, explains, "Given the estimated 9 million Americans impacted by problem gambling, the need for awareness and support has never been more urgent."
State governors across eight states—Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin—are joining the cause. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has emphasized the initiative's importance, stressing that issue affects thousands of Arizonans, including families and young people.
The private sector is also jumping on board. The Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction and the NCPG have designated March 11 as Gambling Disorder Screening Day. Meanwhile, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) is pushing its 'Know Your Play' campaign, which aims to educate college-aged students on responsible gaming and financial literacy.
Dr. Jennifer Shatley, ROGA's Executive Director, shares, "While previous programs have focused on student-athletes, our campaign's goal is to educate the broader student population about responsible gaming concepts that can help set realistic expectations and view gaming as a form of entertainment, rather than a way to make money."
The NCPG has planned a series of events in conjunction with local and national organizations throughout March. These events include conferences, workshops, and advocacy efforts aimed at increasing public awareness and offering support services for those struggling with problem gambling.
For individuals seeking help, the NCPG offers a variety of resources like a promotional toolkit designed to boost public awareness. As the NCAA Championships approach, these initiatives serve as a timely reminder of the importance of responsible gambling practices.
To combat stigma, enhance treatment accessibility, and foster collaboration across sectors, the NCPG advocates national themes, hosts webinars on integration of peer support with clinical treatment, provides professional resources, and supports state-level coalitions. NCPG's 2025 digital symposiums and discussions on self-exclusion tools further these goals.
- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) emphasizes the importance of responsible gaming practices throughout Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), a campaign that underlines the mental health challenges linked to problem gambling.
- State governors from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin have joined the PGAM cause, stressing the urgency of addressing gambling issues that affect thousands of their residents, including families and young people.
- The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) is promoting its 'Know Your Play' campaign during PGAM, aiming to educate college-aged students on responsible gaming and financial literacy, extending beyond the focus on student-athletes in previous programs.
- The NCPG is collaborating with local and national organizations to host a series of events throughout March, including conferences, workshops, and advocacy efforts, focusing on increasing public awareness and offering support services for those struggling with problem gambling.
