The New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling (NMCPG) delivers effective problem gambling treatment and prevention public awareness by:
Representing a centralized authority for effective gambling disorder treatment and prevention solutions, including budgeting, data collection, program planning, system evaluation. Since inception, the NMCPG has continued to provide problem gambling specific prevention and treatment solutions that adhere to the New Mexico Gambling Prevention Standards of 2009 based on the following principles:
(a) Stewardship with an industry specific mission dedicated to preventing and treating problem gambling
(b) Creating transparency in program effectiveness to coordinate efforts that produce maximum impacts on responsible gaming, and
(c) A dedicated team of professionals coordinating resources to ensure consistency in our approach to problem gambling specific treatment and prevention programs, which eradicates duplication of services, and provides a consistent standard statewide.
Note: The New Mexico Gambling Prevention Standards of 2009 emphasize that without infrastructure, individual efforts made to address problem gambling will have little or no impact.
Maintaining the designated Affiliate Chapter membership of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). Today, the NCPG works closely with 37 Affiliate Chapter members throughout the United States.
Sustaining the NMCPG’s standardized problem gambling specific crisis helpline, a toll-free trilingual (English, Spanish, and Navajo) live access point of contact, including one roll-over phone line, available to people experiencing gambling-related problems. Confidential help is available 24 / 7 / 365 days per year. According to the New Mexico Gambling Prevention Standards, every responsible gaming advocate in the state of New Mexico should use the same helpline number to safeguard the state’s ability to measure successful outreach efforts, such as tracking accurate call volume, caller demographics, etc.
Recruiting compassionate helpline professionals to support gambling disorder crisis intervention programs, maintaining referral capabilities that meet the growing demand of the NMCPG’s problem gambling crisis helpline, and collecting accurate caller data to contribute increased market research. Referral capabilities ensure effective referral services are made to treatment and prevention resources, such as Gambling Anonymous, Intensive Outpatient Meetings, and therapists / counselors certified by NMCPG in alignment with New Mexico State Gaming Control Board & New Mexico Department of Health Standards. Insurance is maintained and verified by NMCPG to provide problem gambling treatment and prevention services.
Supporting the marketing efforts of the problem gambling specific crisis helpline by assisting responsible gambling advocates in their print, online, and television marketing initiatives.
Increasing awareness about the warning signs of gambling disorders and encouraging early intervention (specifically for vulnerable youth). As the popularity of fantasy football and online gaming grows, teenage problem gambling is on the rise in the United States. As the Affiliate Chapter member of the NCPG, the NMCPG is at the forefront of collaborating with industry leaders, Congress, and federal health agencies to ensure New Mexico is implementing age-appropriate programs and services to treat and prevent underage problem gambling. Identifying and understanding the critical factors related to youth gambling issues assist efforts made to engage underage gamblers (a.k.a. gamers) in rewarding programs that build momentum in recovery and prevention.
Offering evidence-based compulsive gambling treatment and prevention programs to problem gamblers, their families, and vulnerable youth in a culturally sensitive and nondiscriminatory manner.
Reducing the social stigma associated with seeking problem gambling behavioral counseling through effective public awareness campaigns that educate communities about gambling disorders: Progressive addictions characterized by increased preoccupation with gambling.
Collaborating with educational organizations to implement programs designed to recruit prospective therapists, counselors, case managers, prevention specialists, school-based health staff, and psychologists to become certified, licensed, and insured to provide problem gambling treatment and prevention services.
Overseeing the Specialty Certification in Problem Gambling (SCPG) for professionals treating gambling disorders in the state of New Mexico. The program supports the Mental Health Comprehensive Behavioral Health Standards depicted in the New Mexico Administrative Code, fulfills the National Certified Gambling Counselor-I requirements for every three years of certification / re-certification, and adheres to best-practice industry standards. The NMCPG’s SCPG is a voluntary process initiated by qualified professionals interested in completing the certification and application process.
Designing training programming utilizing evidence-based strategies for employees, supervisors, and representatives working in gaming establishments. The NMCPG’s gaming establishment training increases employee recognition of problem gambling behaviors in patrons, promotes responsible gaming practices, refers patrons with gambling problems to appropriate treatment / prevention resources, and raises awareness about the specialty certification in problem gambling for current and prospective gambling therapists / counselors.