OAPGG Newsletter
Edition 47, January 2024
In This Issue:
Words from Wiley
White Paper for Responsible Gambling Policy in Sports Betting Legislation
Mindfulness: A Tool for Therapy and Recovery (Feb 12)
Annual Statewide Conference on Problem Gambling (March 1)
Words from Wiley
Greetings,
January 1st is a traditional time for reviewing the past year and planning for the coming months. This past year saw the expansion of sports betting and the results of previous expansion. Now in thirty-seven states including Washington DC, sports betting calls for a constant and ever-changing plan on how to address the problems that are being created. Even though Oklahoma has yet to pass sports betting legislation, we still see its effects in other states and watch as it becomes a normalized and accepted part of our society and lives. Oklahoma will be one the last states that legalizes sports betting, which gives us more time to prepare for its consequences and to learn from other states that have already experienced its reality. The question is, will our legislators and tribes include responsible gambling in their planning and allocate adequate money for the coming years.
OAPGG has distributed a white paper of sports betting legislation and guidelines for responsible gambling the past two years and will do so again this month. Please take the opportunity to read our suggestions and be an advocate to your legislators for responsible gambling guidelines.
There are many training opportunities in the coming year, and they are each promoted in the newsletter. One such training is Mindfulness: A Tool for Therapy and Recovery. I have conducted a version of this workshop many times, but this year I will have Geshe Chophel, a Tibetan monk, with me during this training.
OAPGG and the National Council on Problem Gambling are neutral on all legislation and forms of legalized gambling. Our sole mission is to help those that develop a problem and need treatment and support. However, the stance of neutrality does not mean we don’t have a voice. We need to be clear, loud, and have a consistent message that better guidelines for all aspects of responsible gambling is important and will help us have a better future.
Wiley
Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPGG
White Paper for Responsible Gambling Policy in Sports Betting Legislation
Legalized sports betting in Oklahoma will almost certainly lead to an increase in gambling and an increase in harms related to gambling. OAPGG will continue to advocate for policies that support the prevention and treatment of gambling disorder. Any sports betting legislation should include the following:
funding for problem gambling research, prevention, and treatment
casino employee training in recognizing the signs of problem gambling and connecting customers to resources
advertising that accurately states the risks involved and highlights the problem gambling helpline number (1-800-GAMBLER)
limits on gambling for those under 21
required participation for all operators in the statewide self-exclusion program
ability for individuals to set limits on their time and money
Mindfulness: A Tool for Treatment and Recovery
Learn about how to use mindfulness as a tool for therapy and recovery. Wiley will lead the class along with Geshe Chophel. Geshe Chophel entered the monastery at the age of seven and has received the highest Geshe degrees, Lharampa and Ngakrampa. He has also achieved the highest training in both sutrayana and tantrayana practice. Geshe Chophel is a senior student of Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., English translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has been a professor of Buddhist Philosophy at Gaden Shartse Monastery since 1995.
This training will take place on Friday, February 12, at A Chance to Change (2113 W Britton Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73120). The training will run from 9 am to 4 pm, with lunch on your own.
Participants will earn 6 CEUs.
The registration fee is $50.
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!
Certification Renewal
Although the renewal deadline for problem gambling certification was June 30, it is still possible to complete your application for renewal or to begin the process as a new applicant.
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
OAPGG hosted an informational table at the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes 988 Mental Health Lifeline Summit at the Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton. Over two hundred mental health providers were in attendance.
OAPGG also presented the latest prevalence study information at the ODAPCA conference.