Purpose: To serve as the national advocate for programs and services to assist people and families affected by gambling addiction and problem gambling. Vision: To improve health and wellness by reducing the personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling. Mission: To lead state and national stakeholders in the development of comprehensive policy and programs for all those affected by problem gambling. Our primary concern is to help problem gamblers and their families. The NCPG was conceived as the national representative of the problem gambling field and is organized with three classes of members: state affiliate, corporate and individual. The NCPG concentrates efforts on the national level, while the state affiliates work at the state and local level. Major National Council programs include:
National Problem Gambling Helpline Network: Call or Text 1-800-522-4700. Chat: www.ncpgambling.org/chat.. A single national access point to local resources, available 24/7/35, free, confidential. National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling - the world’s oldest and largest annual problem gambling-specific conference. Distribution of information on problem gambling treatment, research and recovery. Problem Gambling Awareness Month, held annually in March. Goals: To increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment & recovery services; to encourage healthcare providers to screen clients for problem gambling. Webinars and other trainings on problem gambling issues for Federal, state, tribal and international governments and agencies as well as the gambling industry, regulators, legislators, and the public. History: The organization was founded in 1972 by Msgr. Dunne and Dr. Robert Custer, among others. From the outset the Council established two principles that remain in effect today: that the organization would be the advocate for people affected by problem gambling, and that it would take no position for or against legalized gambling. This stance is encompassed today in our vision and mission statements above. To join as a member or to support NCPG with a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.ncpgambling.org/membership to view our Membership Types and Benefits.
