Millions in ‘Sin Taxes’ Flowing into Minnesota’s coffers during COVID-19 Pandemic
By Susan Sheridan Tucker, NPGA Executive Director (as published in the Friday’s edition, Nov 27th, of the Star Tribune I cringe when I see “sin taxes” associated with gambling. I understand the intent. Too often we view excessive gambling as a moral weakness. We...
Stress from COVID Restrictions Can Lead to Problem Gambling
COVID-19 has upended our lives, causing disruption to virtually everyone. However, as the pandemic continues, its impact on those with mental health challenges is especially significant. The requirement to maintain social distancing has led to isolation for many,...
In Their Own Words – Tim’s Story
I had my first big win of $500 as a 7-year old at a church picnic in a small town in Minnesota. I was like a celebrity for a while after that. I chased that feeling for 34 years, becoming very competitive in sports, games, spelling bees and just about everything else....
NCPG Conference Roundup
I (virtually) attended the annual conference of the National Council on Problem Gambling in July. Here is a recap of some of the presentations. Industry Trends The conference featured a considerable focus on responsible gambling, particularly in light of the expansion...
Minnesota Gambling Control Board Plays Critical Role in State Gambling
The Minnesota Gambling Control Board plays a critical role in regulating gambling activity in Minnesota. Northern Light conducted the following Q&A with Matt Gettman, the agency’s executive director. Q: What is the primary role of the Minnesota Gambling Control...
Recovering Problem Gambler Leads Way Through Recovery
Jess Stewart’s desire to become an advocate for problem gamblers was born while he was at Project Turnabout for residential gambling treatment in 2016. Four years later, he’s proven to be a highly motivated, steadfast voice for those afflicted with gambling disorder....
COVID Mental Health Trends from EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Callers
The following are some trends that have emerged from people calling in to employee assistance programs. Loneliness is causing increased mental health issues. This seems to be an underlying theme if clients are far from their support systems or have spent a lot of...
Canterbury Park Reopens with Hope and Caution
After shutting down for nearly three months, the Canterbury Park Card Casino opened in mid-June — with equal amounts of caution and hope. “We’re as well prepared as we can be,” says Michael Hochman, Vice President of Casino Operations at Canterbury Park. “Everyone is...
The Problem Gambling Landscape in Wisconsin
Northern Light sat down (virtually) with Rose Blozinski, executive director at the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, to gain some insights about the problem gambling landscape of our eastern neighbor. Here are some highlights of that conversation. Q: How is the...
A Review of Sports Wagering & Gambling Addiction Studies — Executive Summary
The following is taken from the National Council on Problem Gambling: This report on recent research suggests that gambling problems may increase as sports gambling grows explosively at the same time that mobile and online technologies evolve to create seemingly...