Making an Impact: A Stakeholder’s Guide to Engaging in Problem Gambling Advocacy Year-Round

As stakeholders in the mission to combat gambling-related harm, your role extends far beyond NCPG’s annual Problem Gambling Advocacy Day. Advocacy is an ongoing commitment that can significantly impact policies and programs for individuals, families, and communities affected by problem gambling. With your continuous support and active participation, we can improve health and wellness by reducing the personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling.

Here are a few practical ways to stay engaged as an advocate throughout the year:

1. Stay Informed and Educated

• Knowledge is Power: Stay up to date on the latest research, statistics, and news about problem gambling. Subscribe to newsletters, attend webinars, and participate in conferences. NCPG offers access to all of these resources to help keep you informed and up to date.
• Share Information: Use your platforms — social media accounts, blogs, newsletters — to disseminate knowledge about problem gambling. Sharing informative articles, infographics, and personal stories can raise awareness and educate your network about the realities of problem gambling and help reduce stigma and shame.

2. Build and Strengthen Networks

• Engage With State Affiliates: Participate in meetings, collaborate on projects, and contribute to collective goals at the state level in addition to the national level.
• Foster Community Connections: Engage with local community leaders, healthcare providers, educators, and law enforcement. Building these relationships can help create a supportive network that addresses problem gambling from multiple directions.

3. Engage in Legislative Advocacy

• Understand the Issues: Familiarize yourself with current legislation related to gambling in your city, state, or region. Know the key issues, proposed bills, and their potential impacts on problem gambling prevention, education, research, and treatment.
• Contact Lawmakers: Write letters, make phone calls, or schedule meetings with your representatives to discuss problem gambling. Personal stories and data-driven arguments can be very persuasive. Encourage those in your network to do the same.
• Support Advocacy Campaigns: Participate in or organize advocacy campaigns. Whether it’s a petition drive, a letter-writing campaign, or a public demonstration, collective action can influence policymakers.

4. Support Research and Funding

• Fundraising: Organize fundraisers to support problem gambling research and treatment programs. Donations can help expand services, improve outreach, and support individuals in recovery.
• Advocate for Funding: Emphasize the need for increased state and federal funding for problem gambling services. Highlight the return on investment regarding healthcare savings, improved public health, and enhanced quality of life.

5. Cultivate Awareness

• Educate the Public: Conduct workshops, seminars, or webinars to teach responsible gambling. Highlight the signs of problem gambling and provide information on where to seek help.
• Participate in Awareness Campaigns: Engage in events like Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March), Responsible Gaming Education Month (September), and the Gift Responsibly Campaign (Oct – Dec). Host activities, share content on social media, and collaborate with local organizations to maximize reach and impact.
• Host Events: Host community talks, charity runs, or online discussions to keep the conversation about problem gambling alive throughout the year.

6. Provide Support and Resources

• Resource Distribution: Ensure that informational pamphlets, the National Problem Gambling Helpline Number (1-800-GAMBLER), and support service details are readily available in your community and accessible on your website and social media channels.

Year-round advocacy is about consistency, collaboration, and compassion. You can make a significant difference by staying informed, building networks, engaging in legislative processes, promoting responsible gambling, supporting research, celebrating awareness events, and providing continuous support. NCPG supports you in these efforts, providing resources, guidance, and a community of like-minded advocates. Together, we can create lasting change and support those affected by problem gambling.