Summer 2005

NCPG Annual Conference
Members of the National Council on Problem Gambling from across the United States and around the world gathered at the historic Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, La., for the 19th Annual National Conference on Prevention, Research and Treatment of Problem Gambling from June 23-25. The conference theme was: "Critical Issues in the Problem Gambling Field."

The main program was divided into four themes: Etiology of Problem Gambling; Treatment of Problem Gambling; Prevention, Policy and Public Health; and Considerations for DSM-V. The format featured an innovative mix of brief presentations, moderated roundtable discussions and town-hall style audience participation. 

The state of Louisiana has been actively engaged in addressing problem gambling issues, and Lieutenant Governor Mitchell Landrieu and Attorney General Charles Foti discussed legislative and regulatory responsible gaming initiatives, including the Department of Justice Gambling Treatment Referral Program. The state Office of Addictive Disorders is a major conference sponsor and sent 100 state counselors to the meeting to learn the latest in research and treatment advances.  

Conference sessions focused on critical issues within each of the four main themes. Etiology of Problem Gambling included a discussion of environmental, risk and protective factors; genetics; neuro-imaging; co-morbidity and the impact of accessibility to gambling. Treatment of Problem Gambling featured cutting-edge sessions on pharmacology, best practices for treatment, behavioral therapy, outcome studies, brief interventions, natural recovery, training standards and special populations. Prevention, Policy and Public Health focused on questions of access to treatment, public health approaches, the role of the Internet, modifications to gaming machines and state service delivery models. The Considerations for DSM-V sessions covered categorization, subtypes and proposed criteria for gambling disorders in the DSM-V. Presenters and attendees addressed what we know to date, what are the implications, and what gaps in research or questions need to be answered next. 

Visit www.ncpgambling.org for additional conference information. 

National Helpline Projected to Top 210,000 Calls in 2005
The National Problem Gambling Helpline (800.522.4700) received 183,000 calls in 2004, a 25 percent increase over the previous year. Based on statistics from the first few months of this year, the NCPG projects a total yearly call volume of approximately 210,000 in 2005.

The helpline is the single point of access for problem gamblers and their families across the country. The number is linked to a network of 26 state and regional call centers to ensure a seamless blanket of coverage across the nation. Calls are guaranteed to be toll-free, confidential and answered by staff with specific training in problem gambling issues. The unique accessibility and reach of the helpline is increasingly important as electronic media reaches across state boundaries. 

Vermont
The Vermont Council on Problem Gambling just completed a two-day conference on problem gambling. Interest in the subject was strong in the local substance abuse counseling community, and several signed up for more training toward certification as a compulsive gambling counselor. Presenters included: Gamblers Anonymous members from the Albany, N.Y. group; Pat Fowler and Paul Ashe; and others. Douglas Engwall and Stephen Hard from Connecticut discussed college student gambling, and George Meldrum from the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems discussed his organization's in-school health program. Barbara Cimaglio, deputy commissioner of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs at the Vermont Health Department, gave the opening remarks and emphasized her department's support for problem gambling services. Vermont Lottery Director Alan Yandow and Vermont Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Joy Mitchell also presented their responsible gaming campaign. Yandow then traveled to the state capital to speak with the Vermont legislature about additional funding for problem gambling in the state.