Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG)

Statement of Accomplishments FY 2022-2023 Community Outreach MNAPG exhibits at all the major healthcare conferences around the state. We provide resource materials and make presentations about problem gambling, the particular populations most vulnerable and educate those who have had no exposure to problem gambling, gambling disorder. In addition to tabling at 15 major conferences, we attend community health fairs, speak to community groups, PTAs, and staff of treatment centers. MANPG provides awareness education to professionals around the state through virtual and in person presentations. Last fiscal year we presented to 25 organizations. In March 2023, MNAPG sponsored a community symposium focused on issues relating to immigrant communities. The 6-hour program included several different speakers, community conversation and fellowship through provided meals. MNAPG hosted the Minnesota State Conference on Problem Gambling. Over 100 participated in the daylong event. It was a hybrid event " some speakers and attendees were on line, while others attended in person. We featured 10 speakers from around the nation, each with a particular expertise on gambling addiction, prevention or treatment. MNAPG created a 30 second and 15 second PSA which was aired mostly on digital media. The PSAs message is Gambling Addiction is Real, It can be treated and treatment works.Service on State and National Boards with touchpoints to Problem Gambling MNAPG participated in the DHS Advisory Council meetings, where we discussed ways in which the delivery of services can be improved. We have served on this council since its inception over 14 years ago. For the second consecutive year, MNAPG has a seat on the State Suicide Prevention Task force. Those with gambling addictions have the highest rate of suicide than any other addiction, and the state plan did not mention it at all as a risk factor. We also served our second year on the Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Advisory Council. Again to provide new audiences education about the co-occurrence of addiction and mental health. Prevention Tools: MNAPG continues to offer a free subscription to Gamban an online blocking app, which blocks over 75,000 worldwide gambling sites. The helpline vendor also offers the subscriptions without the need to connect with MNAPG, using our code. MNAPG added a new evidence-based survey tool to any Minnesotan who is interested in comparing their gambling habits to other Minnesotans. Research shows behavior can be influenced if a frequent gambler realizes that most of the population is not gambling at the same rate. Training All training opportunities (online and instate) for problem gambler counselors are subsidized by MNAPG, to eliminate barriers. Full scholarships were offered to NCPGs pre-conference workshops and again to their virtual full conference. Northern Light " quarterly journal MNAPG produces a quarterly newsletter with a distribution of over 10,000 hard and electronic copies. Each quarter readers are provided the most up-to-date information about gambling trends from the point of view of the industry, information about conferences/trainings, a recovery story and usually a piece on some recent research. MNAPG was awarded the Best Affiliate Newsletter by the National Council on Problem Gambling. Treatment provider meetings " quarterly Starting in 2019, MNAPG continues to bring the counselors together for networking, sharing ideas, understanding their need for additional training and some problem solving. In fiscal year 2023, MNAPG began subsidizing supervision for problem gambling counselors. The state of Minnesota doesnt require it. MNAPG believes this to be a best practice and contracts with a certified IGCCB Board Approved Clinical Consultant to facilitate a monthly call for treatment providers to do case studies and consult with their peers over difficult issues they may be experiencing with their clients. Advertising MNAPG continued to spend a significant portion of program dollars on prevention messaging and educating the public about free treatment and where to turn for help. Ads were placed in targeted journals and with the ability to geo-fence particularly demographics/types of users, we saw some improvement in our opening rates of digital ads and increased website visits. Creation of additional MNAPG Resources MNAPG created 4 new brochures for to add to our growing resources. We heard from counselors and parents that they needed information pertaining to youth gambling, gaming disorder and the convergence of gambling and gaming issues amongst youth. Expansion of Gambling in Minnesota Two sports betting bills were again introduced last session; a house and senate bill. MNAPG is neutral on gambling legalization, but we had many conversations with the authors of the bills, making suggestions to continue to improve the bill with regard to supporting gambling addiction services, funding for increased research and more counseling services for families, limiting the exposure to gambling advertising in areas where children are primarily present. We also continue to seek legislative support to overhaul the delivery of problem gambling services