Join Dr. Michelle Malkin on June 24th from 10:30am -12:00 pm for an insightful and empowering virtual event focused on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in relation to addiction and gambling. Research shows that LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of addiction, including gambling disorders, compared to the general population. In this session, Dr. Malkin will dive deep into the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and addiction, equipping participants with essential knowledge on LGBTQ+ identities and cultural humility. She’ll explore the latest research on why LGBTQ+ individuals are at greater risk, while highlighting practical tools to provide compassionate and effective care to LGBTQ+ clients and their families. 

Whether you’re a mental health professional, counselor, or advocate, this session will enhance your ability to offer meaningful support and create a more inclusive environment for those in need.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand LGBTQ+ cultural humility and its application in care.
• Explore empirical research on the elevated risks of addiction and gambling disorders in LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Learn strategies for effectively working with LGBTQ+ clients and their families.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge and improve your practice in supporting the LGBTQ+ community!

CE Information: CE Application is pending approval by ICB.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Join us on June 18th from 11-12:30 pm CST to learn from Jody Bechtold and Beth Mulvaney on understanding and addressing problem gambling in older adults.

This webinar offers seasoned clinicians a fresh perspective on older adults, particularly Baby Boomers, and their engagement in gambling as a leisure activity and a component of healthy aging. Gerontology social worker, Beth Mulvaney, joins us to provide critical insights into the primary care physician's role, the challenges of effectively screening for problematic gambling, and the interpretation of behaviors often misattributed to dementia. We'll explore why older adults are particularly vulnerable to developing gambling problems, the crucial warning signs to watch for, and practical screening methods. Participants will also learn about diverse treatment options tailored to this population, the significance of responsible gambling strategies, and how to effectively incorporate these techniques when working with older adults. 

Objectives:

Participants will be able to: 

• Identify the risk factors for problem gambling in older adults.
• Recognize the warning signs of problem gambling in older adults.
• Screen for gambling problems in older adults. 
• Provide information on treatment options for older adults with gambling problems.
• Educate older adults on responsible gambling strategies.
• Develop strategies for incorporating responsible gambling techniques when working with older adults.

CE Information:  Pending approval

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

About the Event:
The Conversations on Problem Gambling Conference provides a platform to foster meaningful dialogue, share cutting-edge knowledge, and explore emerging trends in problem gambling research, prevention, and treatment. Returning for its second year, this conference will delve into diverse topics that shape the field, equipping attendees with actionable insights and practical strategies to make a difference.

Key Highlights:
Trending Research Insights
Discover the latest findings and methodologies advancing the understanding of problem gambling. From neurobiological studies to behavioral interventions, explore innovative approaches designed to address this complex issue.

Effective Prevention Strategies
Learn about evidence-based prevention initiatives and innovative interventions that mitigate the risks associated with problem gambling. Hear from experts who are leading the way in harm reduction and community education efforts.

Treatment Innovations
Gain insights into evolving treatment modalities, from cognitive-behavioral therapy to technology-driven solutions. Discover effective strategies to support individuals on their recovery journey.

Policy and Advocacy
Examine the critical role of policy and advocacy in addressing problem gambling. Participate in discussions on regulatory frameworks, responsible gaming practices, and stakeholder collaboration to create safer, more equitable gambling environments.

Peer Networking Opportunities
Connect with a diverse group of professionals, researchers, and advocates committed to addressing problem gambling. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and build connections that enhance your work in the field.

Enjoy a full breakfast and lunch each day, ensuring you're fueled for an enriching experience. Networking over meals provides a great opportunity for further connection and collaboration with fellow attendees.

Who Should Attend:
This conference is ideal for counselors, social workers, community leaders, mental health professionals, researchers, and advocates who are passionate about addressing problem gambling and its impact on individuals and communities.

Date: June 5th - 6th, 2025

Time: 9:00AM - 4:30PM on June 5th, 7:00AM-2:45PM on June 6th 

Location: Rock Run Convention Center | 1471 Rock Creek Blvd, Joliet, IL 60431

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.

We have secured a room block at the Holiday Inn & Suites: Joliet Southwest for conference attendees. To take advantage of the special rate, please book your room by the cutoff date: May 14th, 2025.

For reservations, please use the booking link below or contact the hotel directly for assistance.

Click here to book.

Address: 1471 Rock Creek Boulevard, Joliet, IL

We look forward to welcoming you!

CE information coming soon! Attendees will be able to claim partial credit if only able to attend one day of the conference. 

Join us on May 28th, 2025 from 11-12:30 pm CST for a moving and powerful virtual training featuring acclaimed poet and memoirist Jane Wong, author of Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City, winner of the 2024 Washington State Book Award. In this deeply personal session, Jane will share her family's lived experience with her father's compulsive gambling addiction and reflect on the lasting intergenerational impact it had on her life.

Blending the power of memoir, poetry, and cultural reflection, Jane will explore how storytelling offers a vital lens for healing and understanding within Asian American communities. She’ll read a poem and a passage from her memoir that delve into the emotional terrain of addiction, grief, and resilience — and open space for meaningful discussion and shared connection.

Whether you're a counselor, social worker, community leader, or someone impacted by gambling addiction, this training invites you to experience a felt, human approach to this critical issue through the power of story.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into the intergenerational effects of gambling addiction in Asian American families
• Understand how poetry and storytelling can be used as tools for healing and advocacy
• Engage in thoughtful dialogue around culturally informed approaches to support and recovery

Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and grow through the intersection of art and lived experience.

CEU Information:  CE Application is pending approval by ICB.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Event Description: Mahjong is more than just a game—it's a cherished tradition that brings families and communities together, offering mental stimulation, social connection, and cultural continuity within many Asian households. However, when money enters the mix or social pressures take hold, the line between healthy recreation and gambling harm can begin to blur.

Join us on May 21st, 2025 from 1-2:30 CST for "Beyond the Tiles," a free virtual event designed to unpack the dual nature of Mahjong—as both a meaningful cultural practice and a potential gateway to gambling-related challenges.

Led by experts from the Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA), this training will shed light on how gambling is often culturally normalized, how stigma prevents many from seeking help, and how we can better support individuals and families through culturally sensitive prevention, dialogue, and education.

Objectives:

• Understand when Mahjong crosses the line: red flags like chasing losses, compulsive play, or borrowing money
• Explore gambling in Asian communities: stigma, normalization, and the mental health toll on immigrant families
• Learn how to support our communities: outreach strategies, multilingual counseling, and open family communication

Featured Speakers:

Mimi Tsang, MPH – Program Manager at MAHA, public health advocate, and leader in substance use and gambling prevention across Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Wenjia Dou, MSW – Program Coordinator at MAHA, community educator, and workshop facilitator on gambling awareness and youth prevention efforts in Asian American communities.

CEU Information:  CE Application is pending approval by ICB.  

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Navigating Gambling Policy in Tough Economic Times: Insights and Strategies 

Join the Conversation with Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Keith Whyte, and Dave Wohl on May 15th, 2025 from 12-1:00 pm. 

As the U.S. faces potential economic downturns, state governments may increasingly look to gambling legalization and liberalization as a revenue source. But what does this mean for individuals struggling with problem gambling?

While states might see a short-term increase in money, funding for problem gambling services is often one of the first things to get cut, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk. At the same time, recreational gambling may decline, exacerbating state financial pressures. This complex intersection of economic change and gambling behavior demands our attention.

Join Dave as he facilitates a conversation between Keith and Brianne, who will utilize their years of experience working with both national and international organizations to highlight strategies for ensuring that responsible gambling programs remain effective and adequately funded, even in tough economic times.

Key Takeaways:

• The impact of economic downturns on gambling behavior and policy
• How state governments balance financial needs with public health concerns
• Strategies to support and strengthen prevention, treatment, and responsible gambling initiatives
• Collaborative approaches for state and community partners to thrive in challenging environments

But the conversation doesn’t end here—continue the discussion at the ICPG Conference two weeks later, where we’ll work together to develop sustainable strategies that will equip ICPG, community partners, and state prevention and treatment programs to not just survive, but thrive in a difficult economic landscape.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and make an impact. Secure your spot today!

CEU Information:  CE Application is pending approval from ICB.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Join us on April 15th, 2025 with Dr. Amanda McCormick for "Mental health and gambling-related cognitions during the early  stages of voluntary self exclusion" a 90 minute virtual training from 1-2:30 pm CST. 

Self-exclusion programs are harm reduction tools that provide self-imposed time away from formal gambling activities. Numerous studies have examined the eDicacy of voluntary self-exclusion programs at reducing problem gambling behaviours as well as program satisfaction. However, few have measured changes in mental health or gambling related cognitions, beliefs, and attitudes in the early stages post-enrollment. Dr. McCormick will present the findings of a longitudinal research study with voluntary self-exclusion program participants in British Columbia, focusing on mental health and gambling-related constructs shortly after program enrollment and changes experienced over the first 12 weeks of program participation. 

 Following this session, attendees will be able to:

•  Describe the mental health profile of recently self-excluded gamblers; 
•  Identify changes in mental health and gambling-related constructs during the early stages of self-exclusion from gambling; 
•  Anticipate changes in gambling-related cognitions and urges during the early stages of self-exclusion from gambling; 
•  Identify key intervention points and support needs during early stages of self exclusion from gambling.

CE Accreditation is pending approval.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Recorded live with Brianne Doura-Schawohl on March 11th, 2025.

With the massive expansion of legalized gambling across the United States, we are beginning to see a renewed interest and commitment in expanding education and prevention programs. Sports betting brings with it a whole new vulnerable demographic to educate and protect.  This interactive session will dive into the growing popularity of sports betting on campuses and across the country and the problems that this new reality poses to athletes of all kinds and levels. Research suggests that athletes might be more vulnerable for developing a gambling addiction but beyond that, they are subject to increased mental health concerns and harassment issues due to increased gambling within society. The presentation will conclude with a discussion around gaps within the prevention and education field and opportunities that exist within our communities, on college campuses, and within the professional athletic area.

Learners will take away: 

1 - Current state of gambling and problem gambling in the college setting across the United States.

2-Identify gaps and opportunities for problem gambling education and prevention programs to assist athletes.

3-Identify nationally leading problem gambling prevention programs that are changing the way we educate and prevent vulnerable populations (athletes) from struggling with gambling addiction.

This live course is accredited for 1.5 CEU for the following categories: COUN II, PREV II, CARS II, CODP I or II, PCGC I or II, CCJP II, CRSS I or II, CPRS I or II, CPRS I or II, MAATP II, RDDP II, CFPP II, CVSS II, LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

The rise of advanced technology in gambling and gaming has introduced significant risks, driven by persuasive design techniques that exploit cognitive vulnerabilities. Features like loot boxes, microtransactions, and personalized algorithms blur the line between entertainment and financial risk-taking, increasing addiction, financial harm, and psychological distress. These harms are compounded by the accessibility of online and mobile platforms, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations.

This presentation explores how persuasive technologies—such as reward schedules and data-driven personalization—drive compulsive behaviors in gambling and gaming. It provides clinicians and prevention workers with insights into these mechanisms and their psychological impacts. Attendees will learn evidence-based harm reduction strategies, including digital literacy education, targeted screening tools, and advocacy for stronger regulatory measures.

By understanding the intersection of technology and behavioral risks, participants will gain tools to better identify and address gambling and gaming-related harms, fostering resilience and well-being in affected communities.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: 

1. Recognize Technology-Driven Risks: Identify how persuasive design features in gambling and gaming platforms contribute to behavioral, psychological, and financial harms among individuals at risk.

2. Implement Targeted Interventions: Develop and apply harm reduction strategies, such as screening for technology-influenced behaviors and promoting digital literacy, to support individuals affected by gambling and gaming-related harms.

3. Promote Community and Systems Advocacy: Equip clinicians and prevention workers with strategies to advocate within communities and systems for addressing exploitative technology designs in gambling and gaming, fostering safer environments and supportive policies.

CE accreditation for the following categories: COUN I or II, PREV I or II, CARS I or II, CODP I or II, PCGC I or II, CCJP II, CAAP I, CRSS I or II, CPRS I or II, MAATP II, CVSS II, LSW, LCSW, LCPC, LPC.

On Demand Viewing is available now.  Live Virtual was held on 2/25/2025.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. 

Join Dr. Kasra Ghaharian on March 4th from 1-2:30 pm for a 90 minute webinar titled "Large Language Models in Gambling: Fundamentals, Implications, and Suitability"

This webinar will introduce large language models (LLMs), explaining their functionality and broader implications for gambling. It will explore how LLMs may be used in gambling-related contexts, and present latest research evaluating their responses to problem gambling-related inquiries.

The objectives are: 

     1.  A foundational understanding of LLMs and their capabilities.
     2.  An understanding of the implications of LLMs in gambling, including their potential uses and risks.
     3.  Knowledge of the latest research findings on LLM responses to problem gambling questions and their suitability for these contexts.

CE accredited for 1.5 CEU for the following categories: COUN II, PREV II, CARS II, CODP II, PCGC I OR II, CCJP II, CRSS II, CPRS II, CPRS II, MAATP II, CFPP II, CVSS II, LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC.

This project is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.