OAPGG Newsletter
Edition 48, April 2024
In This Issue:
Words from Wiley
Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse (June 19-21)
National Council on Problem Gambling Conference (July 18-19)
New Gambling-Specific Training Videos
Certification Renewal (Deadline is June 30)
Words from Wiley
Greetings,
Another Marched passed with the annual OAPGG Statewide Conference on Problem Gambling and Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Thank you for your support and participation.
Now is the time to register for the Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse in June as well as the National Council for Problem Gambling’s annual conference in July. Please see below for more information about each of them.
Very seldom do I have so few words to describe what we are doing at OAPGG. We have been very busy with speaking engagements and events. During March and April, I have done 16 presentations and Basic Training classes on problem gambling. I have talked so much about helping those with a gambling disorder that the written word is more difficult.
However, after 18 years in our efforts to help and advocate for problem gambling, nothing has leveled out or lessened in the growth of problem gambling or those needing help. We always need more counselors at our certified centers and new certified centers in several regions of the state.
Unfortunately, there is not likely to be any increase in funding for problem gambling until we have an expansion in gambling when a sports betting bill is finally passed by the legislators and signed by the governor. We all know this is not likely in the near future. There are many Oklahoma residents already actively participating in sports betting. Our largest click responses to social media advertising were during the weeks prior to the Super Bowl and during March Madness.
Thirty-six states have already passed bills for sports betting and are now taking bets. The dollars wagered on the Super Bowl doubled over the past year and surpassed 16 billion dollars. I know of no states that felt prepared for the helpline calls and need for assistance that came from the expansion of sports wagering. We can only hope we are ready when it comes and there is more money for treatment, awareness, and prevention.
Wiley
Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPGG
Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse
The annual MCPGSA conference will take place in Kansas City, June 19-21, and will feature the following speakers:
Robert Navarra, Consultant and Trainer, Therapist, Researcher
Jeremiah Weinstock, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Alyssa Wilson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Associate Professor of Psychology
Ty Lostutter, Clinical Psychologist
Jimmy McGill, PRPS Executive Director of the National Peer Recovery Alliance
Tim Fong, MD, Professor of Psychiatry
David Ledgerwood, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
OAPGG offers scholarships for those in Oklahoma who would like to attend. The scholarship covers the registration fee. Please reply to this email if you are interested.
National Council on Problem Gambling Annual Conference
NCPG’s annual conference will take place in San Diego on July 18-19. Discounted rooms will be available through June 15 or until the reserved block of rooms is filled.
New Gambling-Specific Training Films
OAPGG recently added 2 new gambling-specific courses to our training library. If you are needing gambling-specific CEUs and weren’t able to attend our in-person trainings, consider watching these videos.
Spiritual Meaning and Purpose in Recovery from Gambling Disorder: Learn about faith-based perspectives of kindness and compassion, the 8 therapeutic skills, fixed vs. growth mindset, addiction and mindfulness, and more. Counselors are called to model compassion so that their clients begin to uncover the divine creative and redemptive image within themselves.
Healing Relational Trauma in Gambling Disorder: The development of trauma can be complex and is connected in part to epigenetics and culture. Learn how to treat relational trauma through compassionate inquiry, family systems, and Gabor Mate’s 5 Rs (recognition, reattribute, refocus, reevaluate, and recreate).\
Both courses are 2 CEUs and cost $30. They are available to rent for a period of 90 days. In order to receive CEUs for viewing, please contact OAPGG when you are finished watching to complete a short quiz and evaluation.
Certification Renewal
The renewal deadline for problem gambling certification is June 30. You can begin the renewal process as soon as you have completed 10 hours of gambling-specific training. To begin your renewal please email Kenzie (ksimpson@oapgg.org) with the following items:
application page
signed ethical standards
copy of your license
10 hours of gambling-specific CEUs
Case Consultation
OAPGG offers consultation calls every second and third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm. Anyone who has begun or completed the Basic Training course is invited to join the monthly calls hosted by Wiley. Reply to this email or call 405-801-3329 to get instructions for connecting. Wiley looks forward to seeing you on the call!
Suicide Prevention
To schedule a suicide prevention training at your agency and/or community, contact Ronnie Wahkinney at OAPGG by calling 405-801-3329 or 405-243-1363. There is no charge for training and materials.
OAPGG Outreach
17th Annual Statewide Conference on Problem Gambling
OAPGG’s annual conference took place on March 1 at the Citizen Potawatomi National Cultural Heritage Center in Shawnee and featured nationally recognized guest speakers Dr. Marc Potenza and Dr. Heather Chapman, as well as OAPGG Executive Director Wiley Harwell. Approximately 50 people attended.