Member Spotlight: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
Member Spotlight: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
When someone is struggling with a gambling problem, or watching a loved one struggle, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. That's exactly the gap the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has spent decades working to close.
NCPG is the only national nonprofit dedicated solely to reducing gambling-related harm. Their mission is straightforward but powerful: lead awareness and advocacy efforts so that anyone affected by problem gambling can find help, hope, and a path forward. And they do all of this while remaining completely neutral on the question of legalized gambling — their focus is entirely on the people.
One Number, Endless Support
NCPG works on multiple fronts to make sure no one falls through the cracks. At the heart of their work is the National Problem Gambling Helpline™ (1-800-MY-RESET), a free, confidential unified point of access available by call, text, or chat, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It connects people anywhere in the country to local treatment resources and referrals — a true lifeline for those who need it most.
The Impact Is Real
The numbers tell a powerful story. Overall contacts to the National Problem Gambling Helpline™ have grown 66% over the last five years, and some channels have seen truly remarkable growth. Chat contacts have increased 1,200% since 2020, with nearly 18,000 chat contacts in 2025 alone. Text contacts have grown 904% since 2020, reaching over 10,600 texts last year. Combined, chat and text contacts have surged more than 1,000% since 2020, a clear sign that people are seeking help in new ways, and NCPG is meeting them there.
What's especially meaningful is who is reaching out. While white individuals make up an estimated 60–72% of the U.S. population, they represent only 44% of helpline contacts in 2025, reflecting the Helpline's real success in reaching a more diverse population than many national programs manage to serve.
The reasons people reach out are also telling. In 2025, nearly 9 out of 10 people who contacted the Helpline cited financial problems as a motivating factor. And since 2024, sleep problems have jumped nearly 10% as a reason people reach out — a reminder that gambling harm doesn't stay in one corner of a person's life. It touches everything. NCPG's helpline is there for all of it.
A Team That Cares
What makes NCPG special is the people behind the mission. The team brings together public health professionals, policy experts, communicators, and data analysts — many of whom have spent their entire careers in addiction prevention and advocacy. Director of Programs Jaime Costello, for example, brings nearly two decades of addiction and public health experience, and Training Manager Jenna Hotaling is a Certified Health Education Specialist with deep roots in problem gambling education. It's a team that genuinely believes in what they're doing, and it shows.
Beyond the Helpline
Beyond the helpline, NCPG offers something for everyone in the field: a national training calendar, professional webinars, public awareness toolkits, Agility Grants to support community-focused programs, and their annual National Conference, which brings together over 600 experts in problem gambling, public health, treatment, and research each year.
Every March, they lead Problem Gambling Awareness Month — a grassroots campaign that helps communities across the country start conversations, reduce stigma, and spread the word that help is available.
What's Coming Next
NCPG is investing heavily in the future of their helpline work. They're launching an updated Data Analytics Dashboard for the National Problem Gambling Helpline™, making it easier than ever for partners and stakeholders to access and understand helpline data. They're also rolling out helpline specialist training through a brand new Learning Management System (LMS) — an exciting step toward ensuring that everyone answering the Helpline is equipped with the best knowledge and skills in the field.
On the policy front, NCPG is championing the POINTS Act, bipartisan federal legislation that would direct an estimated $100 million per year from existing sports betting excise taxes toward problem gambling prevention and treatment — with no new taxes required. It would be the first dedicated federal funding for gambling addiction in history.
Their 2026 Annual Conference is set for July in Nashville, and they're hosting a Virtual Problem Gambling Advocacy Day to help advocates across the country connect with lawmakers and make their voices heard.
A Resource for Our Network
For information and referral professionals, NCPG is a natural partner. Their free toolkits, helpline infrastructure, and training resources are built to be shared — and their helpline is one of the easiest referrals you can make. If someone in your community is struggling with gambling, 1-800-MY-RESET is a great first step.
To learn more or get involved, visit ncpgambling.org.
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