Digital Symposium
In an era when the problem gambling and responsible gambling landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, these Digital Symposium sessions serve as the gateway to groundbreaking insights, practical applications and collaborative solutions.
Held quarterly, these symposium sessions provide a dynamic platform for professionals, researchers and stakeholders to delve into key topics, fostering a comprehensive understanding of problem gambling and responsible gambling best practices.
CE's
- Up to 3 CE’s available/SESSION
Cost
- NCPG MEMBER PRICE: $90/SESSION
- NON-MEMBER PRICE: $120/SESSION
Dates
- April 17th, 2025
- Additional Sessions Coming Soon!
Leveraging Youth Identity and Resilience: Amplifying the Impact of Problem Gambling Prevention Programs
This Digital Symposium Session will explore the development of effective prevention and education programs to address problem gambling among youth and young adults. As exposure to gambling continues to increase, young people are at a heightened risk of developing gambling-related problems, often accompanied by co-occurring mental health and behavioral disorders. The symposium brings together experts to share evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing gambling-related harm, with a particular focus on the role of emotional regulation skills in prevention.
Sessions will examine the links between emotional dysregulation, coping strategies, and problem gambling severity, and how targeted interventions may help mitigate risk. Additionally, the event will highlight the importance of culturally responsive programs that consider the diverse identities and experiences of young adults. The event aims to equip attendees with practical tools and insights to develop more effective, tailored programs for preventing problem gambling in youth and young adults.
1:00 pm ET
to 4:00 pm
Thursday
April 17, 2025
Ninety-six studies focusing on problem gambling showed significant association between emotional regulation, coping strategies, and problem gambling severity (Neophytou, 2023). Adolescents who are experiencing problem gambling can also experience emotional dysregulation (Ciccarelli, 2021). Further findings suggest adults who are “judgmentally unaware” (self-critical and inattentive) to their gambling behaviors have the highest levels of depression, anxiety, and problem gambling severity, while individuals who practice mindfulness and can emotionally regulate, experience lower levels of gambling severity (Stanmyre, 2020). This presentation will provide an evidence-informed approach to weaving emotional regulation knowledge and skills into youth prevention education by reviewing NC curriculum and data.
Alison Wood, MSW, MPA
Alison Wood is the NC Problem Gambling Program Youth Prevention Coordinator with TELUS Health. She manages prevention grants and trains and provides technical support on adolescent problematic behaviors in gambling, gaming, and digital media use. She has partnered with researchers to develop curriculum in emotional regulation skills and digital media literacy in gaming and gambling. In addition, she spearheaded an initiative to provide prevention and treatment of gambling, gaming, and digital media modules utilizing cutting edge technology. She is a passionate advocate for youth prevention education and mental health promotion and believes expanded efforts in prevention research is vital.
Emerging adults are most at risk from the rapid expansion of gambling, particularly sports wagering. This study examined gambling among two epidemiological samples of 18-to-27-year-olds before (N=678) and after (N=591) sport wagering legalization. Among other findings, rates of gambling online more than tripled, from about 8% in 2016 to nearly 30% in 2021. There were also increases in drug use (+22%), binge eating (+20%), excessive shopping (+18%), and excessive video gaming (+21%). In 2021, about 39% of emerging adults endorsed PG symptoms, 18% at high risk. Predictors of at-risk gambling and suggestions for prevention/intervention will be discussed.
Lia Nower, PhD, JD
Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. A clinician and attorney, her research focuses on online gambling and sports wagering; gambling and video gaming among emerging adults; policy initiatives around harm reduction and responsible gambling, and etiology and treatment of problem gambling. Dr. Nower serves as a senior editor for Addiction, and she received the Lifetime Research Award from the NCPG in 2022.
This session highlights findings from two implementations of a statewide survey of young adults ages 18-25. Designed to measure experiences and perceptions related to substance use, gambling, and mental health, the survey’s 5,928 responses included robust representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (44%), LGBQ+ folx (22.9%) and Trans and gender diverse (4.4%) individuals, allowing for unique comparisons into the experiences of young adults as a non-homogenous group. We’ll discuss key indicators measuring young adult experiences and perceptions related to gaming and gambling and how these data can help us identify and design programs designed to meet young adult needs.
T Schweimler, MA
T Schweimler (they/them) is a Research Manager at OMNI providing project leadership and support with content area expertise in public and behavioral health and human development. T has established expertise in supporting problem gaming and gambling prevention efforts, including leading a statewide needs assessment in Virginia to identify local and statewide problem gambling and gaming prevention priorities, providing facilitation support for the Virginia Statewide Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee, and providing ongoing support to service providers working to implement problem gaming and gambling prevention efforts at a community level.
The National Council on Problem Gambling is a Preferred Provider of the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB).
