National Council on Problem Gambling

2008 Annual Report

2008 Core Program Goals: 1. Annual National Conference on Problem Gambling 2. National Problem Gambling Awareness Week 3. National Helpline 4. Public Awareness 5. Federal Advocacy

The mission of NCPG is to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families, and to

encourage research and programs for prevention and education.

The vision of NCPG is to serve as the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.

Year in Review

The Board set a total of 22 objectives for NCPG this year, grouped into nine goals. The annual conference is the first core program goal. The 22nd National Conference on Problem Gambling, hosted by the California Council on Problem Gambling in Long Beach,

CA was our largest conference ever with 515 attendees. The event exceeded revenue targets and received very positive participant evaluations. Staff also began planning the 2009 conference, evaluated bids to host the 2010 convention and began site selection for the 2011 meeting. The second core program goal was to conduct National Problem Gambling Awareness Week. Led by Jeff Beck, the NPGAW Committee and NCPG staff updated the materials

on the NPGAW website, oversaw the national PSA print and radio campaign and compiled a record of national, state and local activities during the week. The print PSA entitled Community Concerns: Dealing with a Gambling Problem generated 232 newspaper articles in 16 states with an estimated readership of 11,095,456. Another print PSA, Some Seniors Are Gambling More Than They Should generated 264 newspaper article in 26 different states with a projected readership of 45,728,624. The radio spot called News for Senior Citizens was broadcast 487 times in 37 different states with an estimated audience of 32,321,243. A qualitative evaluation of the materials was conducted among New Jersey addiction counselors, yielding positive results. Overall the 5th annual awareness week was another highly successful grassroots campaign. The National Helpline Number & Network (800.522.4700) is our third core program. The Helpline number operates like 9-1-1, instantly identifying the caller’s area code and directing the call to the call center on the Helpline Network that covers the caller’s area. The Helpline provides a single point of access to problem gambling help in every state. We received 255,671 calls in 2008, an average of 21,306 per month. NCPG continues to contract with the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline to cover calls from 12 states without specific problem gambling resources. Besides the ongoing operation of the

Additional 2008 Goals: 6. Administer NCGC certification 7. Conduct survey of state problem gambling services 8. Develop a national research agenda 9. Support a DSM V think tank.

Helpline, our objectives to maintain data summaries from 20 call centers, clarify the Helpline Committee mission, develop a white paper on consolidation of helpline numbers and develop a proposal for a text message pilot project were all met. The final core program goal—to increase public awareness of problem gambling by providing a comprehensive website that meets needs of consumers, counselors, media and the public, as well as distributing press releases of national interest—included objectives to develop baseline site metrics, which we continue to gather so we can gauge performance and impact of public awareness initiatives, issue five press releases and plan to increase site traffic. In conjunction with the Communications Committee a website user survey was developed, and all objectives were accomplished. Partly as a result of pro-bono online advertising by MSN and Yahoo, visits to the NCPG website jumped from 10,000 per month to 500,000. A total of 3.2 million unique visitors came to the NCPG site in 2008, by far the most visited problem gambling site in the world. The Board established five additional program goals, the first of which is to advocate for Federal legislation to provide grants for prevention, treatment and research to increase capacity of state agencies and non-profit programs. Our objectives were to work with the Federal Affairs Committee to continue to develop a longterm legislative strategy and to

reintroduce the Comprehensive Awareness of Problem Gambling Act (CAPGA). NCPG took major strides in Federal public policy advocacy last year as the creation of the Federal Affairs Committee helped to coordinate ongoing legislative efforts. Staff worked with the committee and other advocates on an ongoing effort to include problem gambling into Healthy People 2020, the national health agenda. The Executive Director was invited to address the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and participated in a symposium on treatment outcome measures co-sponsored by NCPG, the Association

of Problem Gambling Service Administrators (APGSA) and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Technology (CSAT). Goal six was to administer the NCGC program, under our contact with the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB). The Certification Administrator, Linda Abonyo, maintains files on approximately 600 active and applicant counselors. She also developed an online system that allows applicants to check the status of their applications in real-time. A new contract with IGCCB was negotiated and signed, and a symposium on certification was held in conjunction with the MidCentral Fall Conference in September. Our next goal—to gather the information on the problem gambling field nationally through a survey of state problem gambling services—was postponed by the Board until 2009. The eighth goal, to develop a national research agenda, is well underway. Staff selected a consultant who developed and administered an extensive online survey in addition to conducting structured interviews with attendees at the NCPG conference. The expanded data collection resulted in a delay in the final report, to be presented at the 2009 Midwinter meeting. NCPG provided support for the Think Tank on Pathological Gambling in the DSM V at the UCLA Gambling Studies Program.

2007-2014 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Provide core programs to ensure the availability of services for problem gamblers and their families. 2. Optimize the size and function of the Board of Directors. 3. Recruit 50 Affiliate members by 2014. 4. Recruit 25,000 Individual members. 5. Recruit 500 Organizational members. 6. Create a Development Program. 7. Encourage the certification of 4,000 gambling counselors. 8. Create a state-of-the art Management Information System. 9. Advocate for national funding for services for problem gamblers and their families. 10. Plan for an increase in staff. 11. Develop partnerships with universities and colleges. 12. Create a Reserve Fund. 13. Create an Endowment Fund. 14. Increase public awareness and recognition of the NCPG.

In 2008 the Executive Director presented at conferences held by the Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Washington State Councils. He also presented at the 1st New Mexico Institute on Problem Gambling and at the annual conference of the Society for Addiction and Sexual Health. Keith met with the Virginia Lottery Board, exhibited at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) conference and attended the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) conference. A delegation from the National Gambling Control Commission of Korea visited the NCPG office in Washington, D.C. This year NCPG made significant progress towards meeting the 2007-2014 Strategic Plan goals. Since the passage of the bylaws amendments in February 2008, staff worked closely with Executive, Nominations & Elections and Transition Committees to facilitate a smooth and orderly transition to a membership-based nominations and elections process, culminating in the seating of the new Board, fulfilling Goal 2. While membership increased overall this year, it will take renewed efforts to meet the Strategic Plan goals. The symposium on counselor certification helped us to proceed on Goal 7. The NCPG information management program developed for Goal 8 is a powerful and flexible web-based system that facilitates instant and comprehensive membership, database and management services. NCPG now has a committee to support Federal advocacy and meet Goal 9. Staff worked with the Personnel Committee and a consultant to develop a plan approved by the Board for a fourth staff position. The Research Committee enhanced the student awards to build support with universities and colleges (Goal 11). NCPG was able to maintain a $100,000 reserve fund balance throughout the course of the year. The Communications Committee Chair initiated a national survey on American attitudes towards problem gambling and problem gamblers helped develop a baseline for efforts on Goal 14. Of course, NCPG continued to maintain the national helpline number and network to provide a single point of access to problem gambling information and referral across the entire nation, a fundamental aspect of Goal 1. Since June 2008 the Board of Directors met monthly by web and voice conference call. The monthly staff report was significantly expanded to include charts and graphics of key performance metrics, including helpline calls, certification administration, membership, media contacts and website traffic. In 2008 the NCPG President launched an initiative post all Board meeting agendas, minutes, materials and information, along with an audio transcript of the meeting, on the members section of the NCPG website. Staff participated on numerous web and voice conference calls with Affiliates, Awards, Communications, Conference, Federal Affairs, Helpline and NPGAW Committees. The

2008 Financial Performance: Revenue: $766,000 Expenses: $722,000

Education Committee reviewed and staff processed 76 applications for Continuing Education Credit, and increase of 15% from 2007. Individuals from Alabama, Georgia, North Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming requested information on Affiliate membership and we provided materials and suggestions in conjunction with the Affiliates Chair. While the Iowa Council disbanded, the Maine Council on Problem Gambling joined NCPG. We supported the formation of two new Interest Groups, one on Prevention and the other on Native American Issues. The national office responded directly to many requests for problem gambling assistance. Staff sent hundreds of emails per week, including an average of one per week to the Board. Annual reviews were conducted for all three staff members. The NCPG signed a three-year lease on office space in downtown Washington, DC and successfully completed the move in May 2008. At the end of 2008 we had 502 paid members, an increase of 15% from 2007. Memberships increased in the Individual but decreased in the Organizational categories. The improvements to our information systems led to better membership tracking and retention. Throughout the year we solicited new corporate members when presented with the opportunity and secured one new major corporate donor while staff continued to work hard to limit expenses. As a result our 2008 financial performance was impressive. NCPG ended the year with revenues of $766,000 and expenses of $722,000, for a net profit of $44,000. This is even more significant as our budget projected a loss of $23,000. Cash on hand at the end of the year was $346,000, providing a significant cushion for operations in the first and second quarters of 2009. 2008 was another extremely busy and productive year for the National Council on Problem Gambling. We completed a major update in governance, exceeded our revenue goals, maintained our reserve fund, bolstered our core programs, increased our membership and improved our advocacy to ensure NCPG will be able to continue to provide leadership in the problem gambling field. Of course, these accomplishments are only possible with the support of the Board of Directors. On behalf of Linda Abonyo, Program Administrator, and Melissa Martin, Administrative Assistant, thank you to the Officers, Directors and Members for the opportunity to work with you to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families and to encourage research and programs for prevention and education.

Sincerely,

Keith S. Whyte Executive Director

2008 State Affiliate Members

Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling California Council on Problem Gambling Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado Connecticut Council on Compulsive Gambling Delaware Council on Gambling Problems Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling Illinois Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling Indiana Council on Problem Gambling Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Maine Council on Problem Gambling Maryland Council on Problem Gambling Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling Michigan Association on Problem Gambling Mississippi Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling Missouri Council on Gambling Problems Montana Council on Problem Gambling Nebraska Council on Compulsive Gambling

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey New York Council on Problem Gambling Council on Compulsive Gambling of North Dakota Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance Oklahoma Association on Problem and Compulsive Gambling Ohio Council on Problem Gambling Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling Texas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling Vermont Council on Problem Gambling Washington State Council on Problem Gambling West Virginia Council on Problem Gambling Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling

2008 Organizational and Corporate Members:

Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

Minnesota State Lottery Progressive Gaming Global Cash Access

GTECH International Game Technology

Trading Cove Associates Isleta Casino & Resort

Ebet Online Magna Entertainment

Churchill Downs

Scientific Games Corporation Racing Channel Mohegan Sun

Penn National Gaming Pennsylvania Bureau of Alcohol and Drug

Programs Potawatomi Bingo Casino

Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission

Indians Vermont Lottery Virginia Lottery

Selected Sessions: Building a Road Map for Pathological Gambling in the DSM V Preliminary Examination of the Pathways Model in Adolescents

How to Increase Engagement and Retention of Problem Gamblers in Treatment Traditional and Contemporary Medicine as Partners in Healing

An Evidence-Based Approach to Pharmacological Treatment of Pathological Gambling First Annual Prevention Showcase

Prevention: Its Not Rocket Science (Its Not That Easy) Self Forgiveness and Recovery from Compulsive Gambling Moving Towards Best Practices in Responsible Gaming

Platinum Sponsor:

Southern California Casino Association

Gold Sponsor: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers California Office of Problem Gambling

California State Lottery International Game Technology

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Sunland Park

Silver Sponsor: County of San Diego, Department of Health and Human Services

Bronze Sponsor:

California Department of Justice, Division of Gambling Control Harrah’s Entertainment

Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians

Associate Sponsor: Harrah’s Rincon

Oak Tree Racing Association Charitable Foundation San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians (Valley View Casino)

Officers & Board of Directors June 2007-February 2008 Officers: President: Dennis McNeilly, S.J., Psy.D. Executive Vice President: Seth Eisenberg, M.D. Vice President: Thomas Moore, Ph.D. Treasurer: Caleb Cooley Interim Secretary: Maureen Greeley Affiliate Directors: Jerry Bauerkemper, Nebraska Jeffrey Beck, J.D., New Jersey Kandace Blanchard, New Mexico Amber Bunch, Colorado Caleb Cooley, Kentucky Pat Fowler, Florida Joanna Franklin, Maryland Margaret Glenn, Ed.D., West Virginia Gary Gray, North Carolina Betty Greer, Mississippi Rose Gruber, Wisconsin Wiley Harwell, Oklahoma Judith Herriff, Michigan Jean Holthaus, Kansas John Hostetler, Iowa Don Hulen, Arizona Donna Johnson, Montana Jerry Long, Indiana

Kenneth MacGregor, Rhode Island Jim Maney, New York Chuck Maurer, Ph.D., Washington State Reece Middleton, Louisiana Joy Mitchell, Vermont Thomas Moore, Ph.D., Oregon Carol O’Hare, Nevada Jim Pappas, Pennsylvania Lisa Pertzoff, Delaware Bruce Roberts, California Alex Roseborough, Illinois Kathleen Scanlan, Massachusetts Keith Spare, Missouri Marvin Steinberg, Ph.D., Connecticut Roger Svendsen, Minnesota Charles Vorkoper, Texas Louis Weigele, Ohio

At-Large Directors: Paul Ashe, J.D. (2007-2010) Bo Bernhard, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2006-2009) Tim Christensen, Arizona Department of Gaming (2006-2009) Bill Eadington, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno (2007-2010) Seth Eisenberg, M.D., Northwestern University (2007-2010) Judge Mark Farrell, Amherst Town Court (2005-2008) Don Feeney, Minnesota State Lottery (2005-2008) Dean Hestermann, Harrah’s Entertainment (2005-2008) Connie Jones, International Game Technology (2007-2010) Henry Lesieur, Psy.D., Ph.D., Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital (2005-2008) Sue McNabb, Louisiana Department of Justice (2005-2008) Dennis McNeilly, Psy.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center (2006-2009) Mia Moran-Cooper, Problem Gambler’s Helpline Network of West Virginia (2006-2009) Rena Nora, M.D., Las Vegas Veteran’s Administration Center (2006-2009) Kate Spilde-Contreras, Ph.D., University of California-Riverside (2005-2008) Mike Stone, MKS Communications (2006-2009) Bill Velardo, FB Resorts (2006-2009) Rachel Volberg, Ph.D., Gemini Research (2005-2008) Alan Yandow, Vermont Lottery (2007-2010)

Officers & Directors February 2008-June 2009

Paul Ashe, J.D. Caleb Cooley, Treasurer

Bill Eadington, Ph.D., President Seth Eisenberg, M.D.

Don Feeney Judy Herriff Connie Jones

Chuck Maurer, Ph.D. Reece Middleton

Joy Mitchell Rena Nora, M.D. Carol O’Hare Bruce Roberts

Roger Svendsen Alan Yandow

2008 Awards

Media: Problem Gambling Public Awareness Multi-Media Campaign, NY OASAS

The electronic program that appeared in the past year that best raised public awareness of problem gambling.

Government: Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, NY OASAS

The government (or agency/program) that has demonstrated superior achievement in addressing issues of problem and pathological gambling.

Distinguished Program: Dealing With Addiction, Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling

Awarded in recognition of exceptional problem gambling-related program.

Outstanding Contributor: Louise Lecklitner, San Diego Health & Human Services Agency The person, institution, organization or company outside of the NCPG structure that has demonstrated superior achievement in addressing issues of problem and pathological

gambling

Dissertation Award: Bethany Bray, Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University Examining Gambling and Substance Use: Applications of Advanced Latent Class Modeling

Techniques for Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Data

Masters Thesis Award: Jessica I. McBride, M.A. Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.

An Exploratory Analysis of Internet Gambling Among University Students.

Peoples Choice Award: “Problem Gambling Breaks More Than the Bank” Nevada Council on Problem Gambling

2008 Financial Highlights

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 ASSETS Current Assets

Cash $346,785 Accounts Receivable 2,997

Prepaid Expenses 17,362

Total Current Assets 367,144

Property and Equipment Office Equipment 14,206

Less: Accumulated Depreciation (12,297)

Net-Property and Equipment 1,909

Other Assets Security Deposit

10,134

TOTAL ASSETS $379,187

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current Liabilities

Accounts Payable $30,906

Total Current Liabilities 30,906

Net Assets Unrestricted 348,281

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $379,187

Income Statement

REVENUES 2008

Conference Income $402,745

Affiliate Dues 72,645

Membership 75,000

Contributions 155,258

Other Revenue 60,298

Gross RevenueGross RevenueGross RevenueGross Revenue $765,946

EXPENSES

Salaries $199,212

Rent and Office Expenses 120,846

Program/Conference Expenses 402,405

Total ExpensesTotal ExpensesTotal ExpensesTotal Expenses $722,463

Net IncomeNet IncomeNet IncomeNet Income $42,087

Staff: Keith Whyte, Executive Director Linda Abonyo, Program Administrator Melissa Martin, Administrative Assistant About the National Council on Problem Gambling: Founded 1972; the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families. NCPG is neutral on legalized gambling and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (Federal ID: 51-0141872). NCPG does not accept any restrictions on contributions. Membership is divided among 3 divisions: State Affiliate Chapters, Individual and Organizational members. NCPG is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors—9 seats are held by Affiliate members, 3 each for Individual and Organization members. Candidates are nominated by division and voted on by the entire membership. The Board elects officers to one-year terms. Major Programs: National Problem Gambling Helpline Network provides a single toll-free point of access to problem gambling help. Dialing the National Helpline (800.522.4700) from anywhere in the United States will link the caller to a call center with local problem gambling information and referral resources. The Helpline was founded in 1985 and now comprises 28 state and regional call centers that between them cover the entire country. The Helpline facilitates help seeking by eliminating the need to find the different helpline number in each state and allows industry and advocates to use one number across all materials in every market. National Problem Gambling Awareness Week was founded in 2003 as an annual nationwide grassroots campaign to educate the public and health care professionals about problem gambling and to raise awareness that hope and help are available. Free posters, brochures, fact sheets, screening tools and media information are available via a dedicated website. National Conference on Problem Gambling has been held annually since 1985, the oldest and largest conference dedicated to problem gambling brings together counselors, researchers, regulators, gaming operators and recovering gamblers.

730 11th Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20001

Tel: 202.547.9204 www.ncpgambling.org

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