Celebrating 30 Years Serving Connecticut Residents!

• The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was founded in 1972 by concerned individuals to advocate for the creation of treatment services for compulsive gamblers and their families. The NCPG is the primary source of information on problem gambling in the United States. The NCPG's national help line provides support and referrals to problem gamblers and others affected by the problem.
  
  
• The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) was founded in 1980 and became the first affiliate council of the NCPG. CCPG's relationship with the NCPG and its other affiliate councils is based on common goals and sharing of ideas, materials and resources. The CCPG has played a major role in the NCPG's evolution by way of its membership on the Board of Director's and CCPG's Executive Director's service on the Executive Committee and as a fundraiser.
  
  
• In 1981, CCPG collaborated with legislators in Connecticut in the successful effort to pass legislation to create, in 1982, the first state operated problem gambling treatment program in the United States. Since that time, a close working relationship has existed between CCPG and the state's Problem Gambling Services. CCPG also actively collaborates with the state gambling regulatory agency, the gambling industry and a number of community organizations.
  
  
• In 1992 and 1996, the CCPG collaborated with Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, respectively, to develop model Responsible Gambling Programs.
  
  
• In 1994, CCPG and Foxwoods Resort Casino collaborated to establish the first Self-Exclusion Program in the nation. In 2002, CCPG and Mohegan Sun began an ongoing evaluation of Mohegan Sun's Self-Exclusion Program.
  
  
• In 1994, CCPG realized its goal of establishing a 24-hour Helpline. Referrals are primarily made to specialized treatment services, Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon. Helpline staff work closely with staff of the state's Problem Gambling Services. Yearly statistical Helpline summaries have been valuable in profiling a year-to-year portrait of problem gamblers and significant others. In collaboration with Yale University's Department of Psychiatry, research utilizing Helpline data has resulted in publications in major journals.
  
  
• In 1989 and 1996, CCPG conducted the first statewide studies in Connecticut on gambling and problem gambling among high school students. In 2007, CCPG collaborated with the State departments of Education and Mental Health and Addictions Services and Yale University in a multi-faceted research project among high school students and key community stakeholders across Connecticut.
  
  
• In 1999, the CT Lottery Corporation, Problem Gambling Services and the CCPG created the Partnership for Responsible Gambling to carry out an extensive ongoing campaign to educate the public about problem and underage gambling.
  
  
• In 2003, Central Connecticut State University's Psychology Department collaborated with CCPG on the first comprehensive study of gambling and problem gambling among University students in CT.
  
  
• Currently, CCPG is focusing its prevention efforts on outreach to the college community through the Higher Education Gambling Effects (H.Ed.G.E Your Bets) mini-grant program and also on the workplace through its Workplace Addressing Gambling Effects (W.A.G.E.) program. Community outreach efforts continue through participation in state-wide health fairs, senior fairs, college/high school events and multi-cultural events across the state. Regional and state collaborative efforts to address the issues of problem and underage gambling are also ongoing.
  
  
• CCPG is funded primarily by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Mohegan Tribal Nation and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

To access information on current staff and Board members of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, please click here.