Beyond the Bet: Supporting Youth in Today's Gambling Culture

Emon Bhattacherjee is a recovery advocate whose personal experience with problem gambling inspires his work supporting others facing similar challenges. Drawing from his recovery journey, he raises awareness about gambling addiction and its impact on individuals and families. Emon emphasizes the importance of early intervention, accessible resources, and compassionate support systems. He is passionate about reducing stigma, encouraging open conversations, and helping people feel less alone in their struggles. Through advocacy and education, he works to strengthen recovery pathways and promote hope, understanding, and long-term recovery for those affected by gambling-related harms.

Vasker Bhattacherjee is a father and advocate for families affected by gambling addiction. His advocacy grew from supporting his son through recovery from problem gambling, an experience that highlighted the challenges and limited resources available to families. Motivated to create change, Vasker raises awareness about gambling-related harms and the need for more accessible treatment and support services. He emphasizes the vital role families play in recovery and the importance of early intervention. Through education and advocacy, he helps parents feel supported, fosters understanding, and promotes stronger recovery outcomes for individuals and families.

Emma Bowen is a Community Health Specialist in the prevention department at Chestnut Health Systems. She went to Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville where she received both her MSW and BSW degrees through the Social Work Department. Her passion has always been prevention. In her time in the field, she has worked in prevention roles related to gender-based violence in college communities, youth mental health, and now problem gambling.

In her role at Chestnut, Emma works on outreach and education around problem gambling. One of the primary focuses of Chestnut’s gambling outreach includes writing a prevention curriculum for high school students in Illinois. Over the past three years, Chestnut has been creating, implementing, and improving a curriculum called Not A Chance. 

Kellie Gage, Ph.D., M.S., CAADC, is the Program Manager for Statewide Gambling Disorder Treatment Services at the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (IDHS/DBHR). She began her career in state government in August 2001 as the Gambling Initiative Specialist. In her current role, Kellie provides oversight for the development and implementation of statewide treatment and outreach services, gambling-specific training, public awareness campaigns, and helpline services for individuals in need of treatment and resources related to gambling disorder. Kellie earned her Doctorate in Counseling and Psychological Studies with a concentration in Crisis and Trauma and holds a Master of Science degree. She has dedicated over 34 years to the substance use and behavioral health field as a clinician, program manager, and trainer. She is credentialed as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC) through the Illinois Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.

Dr. Ranjana Sinha is a pediatrician and advocate for families affected by problem gambling. Her commitment stems from her experience as the mother of a compulsive gambler who is now in recovery. Combining lived experience with professional expertise, she works to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support families navigating gambling-related harms. As a pediatrician, she promotes early screening and intervention to identify behavioral vulnerabilities in youth. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Dr. Sinha helps families recognize warning signs, access resources, and play an active role in prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Alison Wood is the NC Problem Gambling Program Youth Prevention Coordinator with TELUS Health. She manages prevention grant programs, trains, and provides technical support on adolescent problematic behaviors in gambling, gaming, and digital media use. She has partnered with researchers to develop curriculum in emotional regulation skills and digital media literacy in gaming and gambling. In addition, she spearheaded an initiative to provide asynchronous modules on the prevention and treatment of gambling, gaming, and digital media modules utilizing cutting edge technology. She is a passionate advocate for youth prevention education and mental health promotion and believes expanded efforts in prevention research is vital.

Dave Wohl is a seasoned professional with a diverse background and over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. With a passion for improving patient care and healthcare systems, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from West Virginia University, and an MBA from Western Governors University. Additionally, Dave is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), demonstrating a commitment to leadership excellence within the healthcare field.
Before joining ICPG in 2023, Dave held various roles within healthcare, ranging from direct patient care to department management and hospital administration.  With a wealth of experience, Dave brings a unique perspective and leadership to ICPG.