30-second summary:

• The National Council on Problem Gambling has appointed a new communications manager
• Deanna Wilken’s remit is to create awareness about problem gambling
• The NCPG works closely with the authorities to introduce programs and policies regarding problem gambling
• NCPG wants public to put pressure on legislative representatives

Raising awareness

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is a body that looks at how to prevent and treat problem gambling. It launched in 1972 and pushes stakeholders at both state and national levels to introduce comprehensive programs and policies to help ease problem gambling levels.

The NCPG is the national advocate for those struggling with problem gambling. It is now looking to enhance their reach through its latest appointment. Deanna Wilken is now on board as the new communications manager. Her remit is to enhance the NCPG’s profile and reach across all different types of platforms.

Communications remit

Wilken will be bringing a more innovative approach to the organization, aligning all of the NCPG’s communications strategies with a singular focus. She previously worked in a communications manager role with the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.

The role of a communications manager has never been more important as there are so many different ways to communicate that a comprehensive strategy needs to be developed. The NCPG needs to effectively deal and communicate with key stakeholders across the country. The only way it can achieve this is by having that comprehensive strategy.

Wilken will need to give due consideration to the myriad of social media platforms that exist, each with a different demographic. She will also need to pay attention to email, audio and text communications.

Wilken’s background

Wilken has experience at different levels in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She studied at the University of Nottingham in the UK and at the University of California Los Angeles.

Wilken said: “I look forward to working with NCPG’s team in its efforts to promote and expand its messaging on problem gambling and responsible gambling. NCPG is already doing good work in communicating to a variety of stakeholders and I am excited to shape these efforts as new trends evolve in the gambling industry and the field of behavioural health.”

Legislating for problem gambling

The gambling landscape is in constant flux and regulators have had more to deal with since the advent of online gambling. Technological change requires new rules and regulations.

There is also the worrying rise of problem gambling across the world. It has never been easier to gamble thanks to online gambling. And it is becoming more and more part of everyday life for a lot of people.

In the US, there have been a number of significant changes to the gambling sector at both federal and state levels recently. One of the biggest changes was ending the federal ban on sports betting in May 2018.

Individual states now have the power to decide if they want to offer legal sports betting or not. To date, eight states have opened sportsbooks, with many more set to introduce sports betting bills in 2019. Thus, the NCPG is working hard to have its voice heard during the drafting of these bills.

It wants consideration for problem gambling. This includes allocating certain levels of gambling revenue to programs that help prevent and treat of problem gambling. Just like with most problems, the NCPG is aiming to nip it in the bud and have policies in place in the legislation from the get-go.

The NCPG also wants to raise public awareness of its work to ensure that there will be sufficient support for introducing its suggested policies. Once people are aware of the issues, they can put pressure on their political representatives to support such moves in the respective legislative settings.