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OAPGG
@oapgg.bsky.social
The Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming (OAPGG) provides awareness, education, prevention, and treatment for problem gambling and gaming in Oklahoma.
www.oapgg.org
“A gambling diagnosis was a stronger predictor of suicide than other mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia or alcohol use – indicating gambling disorder poses a unique risk."

www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office...
Study reveals people with gambling disorder more likely to die by suicide
People diagnosed with a gambling disorder are significantly more likely to die by suicide, according to new research led by Swansea University – marking a major step forward in understanding gambling-...
www.swansea.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
There was no mention of gambling disorder in yesterday's sports betting study group, except for an outdated 1% national prevalence rate.

The truth: nearly 1 in 3 (29.8%) Oklahomans are struggling or at-risk.

oklahoman.com/story/news/p...
oklahoman.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
State regulations for gambling are limited, and there are no regulations for gambling activity in free-to-play games and prediction markets.

At a minimum, we need more awareness about the risks of these activities. Even better: national policy + funding.

www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As sports betting explodes, should states set more limits to stop gambling addiction?
With concerns about addiction rising, some advocates and lawmakers call for federal regulations on the gambling industry — but would settle for more state laws to help curb excessive betting.
www.npr.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Kalshi plans to incorporate prop bets and parlays into its offerings, and sports books are looking into event contracts.

Meanwhile, prediction markets are chipping away at gambling safety measures.

www.fastcompany.com/91399289/kal...
Kalshi found a backdoor to sports gambling, and is throwing it open to everyone
The prediction market now offers something that looks a lot like online sports betting to 18 year olds and states where it’s currently illegal.
www.fastcompany.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Gambling disorder has one of the highest rates of suicidal thinking and attempts of any disorder.

In Oklahoma, 23% of people with gambling disorder have attempted suicide.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=caxL...
Gambling exec: comparisons to substance addiction 'abhorrent'
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Gaming disorder and other mental health issues often create a "downward spiral."

For parents wanting to help their kids, simply taking away video games won't work--the underlying mental health issues must also be addressed.

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/video-g...
Video game addiction in teens likely stems from preexisting mental health issues
Teens who have depressive symptoms and social issues are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of problematic gaming.
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
September 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Gambling disorder often comes with co-occurring disorders, like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder.

Cuts to mental health programs will affect those with gambling disorder as well.
As the agency tries to get back on track financially, the #Oklahoma Department of #MentalHealth and Substance Abuse Services aims to end 300-plus contracts starting Oct. 1, a move that caught some #okleg members and providers alike off guard.

nondoc.com/2025/09/03/o...
Decision to end 300 mental health contracts will 'directly affect thousands' in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services could cut 312 contracts by Oct. 1, 2025, catching lawmakers off guard.
nondoc.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
AI could give casinos more opportunities to track customer behavior and offer personalized incentives to keep them playing.

This technology would be better used for noticing distress in customers who are experiencing harms from gambling.

gamblingharm.org/the-creepy-n...
The Creepy New AI Reason To Avoid Casinos
Explore how AI in casinos is revolutionizing gambling with emotion-tracking technology to maximize player losses and cause harm.
gamblingharm.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
You know sports betting is out of control when...

Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series apnews.com/article/litt...
Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series
At least a couple of offshore bookmakers are offering odds on games at the Little League World Series. Team managers, and Little League itself, are not pleased.
apnews.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The blind box craze around Labubus is similar to gambling--people are spending their money on something with an uncertain outcome and are experiencing similar harms.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘My buyer’s guilt is insane. It’s $1,300 on trash’: the adults addicted to blind box toys like Labubus
Grownups get thrills from opening these collectibles they buy without knowing what they’re getting – but experts warn the craze is akin to gambling
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Gambling on overseas military bases puts soldiers and their families at risk. More education and prevention is needed.

www.wired.com/story/us-mil...
The US Military Is Raking in Millions From On-Base Slot Machines
The Defense Department operates slot machines on US military bases overseas, raising tens of millions of dollars to fund recreation for troops—and creating risks for soldiers prone to gambling addicti...
www.wired.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Sports betting carries many risks--not just financial ones. Whether John Mateer placed any bets, just the mention of sports betting has put his college career at risk.

www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...
John Mateer 'never bet on sports.' OU football star calls Venmo payments 'inside jokes.'
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer released a statement Tuesday afternoon, calling allegations of gambling "false."
www.oklahoman.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Oklahoma has joined 50 other states and US territories to combat illegal offshore gambling.

okcfox.com/news/local/o...
Oklahoma joins coalition to combat illegal offshore gaming
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and other states are asking the U.S. Department of Justice to address illegal offshore gaming.
okcfox.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
“Imagine being a gambling addict and always having a slot machine in your pocket except you also need that slot machine to stay in touch with friends/family, to get jobs and contact coworkers, for banking, for navigation.”
www.afterbabel.com/p/smartphone...
Smartphone Gambling is a Disaster
We aren’t meant to have a casino in our pockets
www.afterbabel.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“One reason people betting on sports say they do it is 'to make extra money'—an answer given by 2/3 of them. in fact, nearly 1/3 of them say they view gambling as an 'investment.'

Folks, that’s like saying you view tequila as a 'hydration strategy.'”

www.kiteandkeymedia.com/videos/onlin...
Has Sports Betting Gotten Out of Control?
Online sports gambling has been a massive financial success — with huge social ramifications.
www.kiteandkeymedia.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
We attended the national conference on problem gambling in Ohio last week. It's a great way to work with partners across the nation to prevent problem gambling.

Nearly 1 in 3 Oklahomans are at-risk for a gambling problem.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P4E...
Conference on problem gambling held in Columbus
YouTube video by NBC4 Columbus
www.youtube.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A major tribal gaming convention in Oklahoma City looked at the future of games in the state this week.

OAPGG also attended to make sure that responsible gambling was part of the conversation.

www.fox23.com/news/video-i... via @FOX23
Video: In Depth: A major tribal gaming convention in Oklahoma City looks at the future of games in the state
In Oklahoma City, a major tribal gaming convention is underway.
www.fox23.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A new tax provision limits deductions for gambling losses to 90%. This means for those who break even, they will pay taxes as though they won.

It's more important than ever to track your spending. We have tools on our website for that.

www.fox23.com/news/in-dept...
In Depth: New gambling tax will hit you in both Las Vegas and Oklahoma tribal casinos
The Nevada Congressional delegation and professional gamblers have taken to social media and the halls of Congress to sound the alarm on what they say is an ugly tax provision tucked away inside 'The ...
www.fox23.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
In another sign of the ongoing popularity of memecoins, a platform that lets people create their own highly-speculative tokens raised $600 million within 12 minutes on Saturday.

The line between gambling and investing in crypto continues to blur.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Memecoin Platform Pump.fun Raises $600 Million Within 12 Minutes
In another sign of the ongoing popularity of memecoins, a platform that lets people create their own highly-speculative tokens raised $600 million within 12 minutes on Saturday.
www.bloomberg.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
With gambling as well as drug use, natural curiosity and risk-taking can be hijacked into patterns of addiction. www.scientificamerican.com/article/addi...
Massive Study Flips Our Story of Addiction and the Brain
Brain differences in children and teens who experiment with drugs early show up before they take their first puff or sip
www.scientificamerican.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
9.8% of Oklahomans who have served in the military are experiencing gambling disorder.
OAPGG has supported nationwide requests for funding of gambling-related research in the military.
taskandpurpose.com/military-lif...
Gambling addiction in the military may be going unnoticed, advocates warn
Despite a population of risk-seeking young men, the U.S. military has almost no research on gambling in its ranks.
taskandpurpose.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
As screentime, video gaming, and gambling continue to intersect, it's important to notice early warning signs of a problem.

Spending more time than intended or feeling restless when cutting back are a few of the signs that it's time to seek help and support.
June 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by OAPGG
In Oklahoma, which has more casinos than any other state but Nevada, high schoolers learn about odds, gambling addiction, and strategies for gambling responsibly as part of their personal finance education.

My latest from @marketplace.org

www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
In Oklahoma, financial literacy courses highlight the risks of gambling
As more states adopt personal finance education requirements, they are tailoring the classwork to help students navigate their local economies.
www.marketplace.org
June 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Financial literacy is an important component of problem gambling prevention--gambling is never a good way to make money. www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
In Oklahoma, financial literacy courses highlight the risks of gambling
As more states adopt personal finance education requirements, they are tailoring the classwork to help students navigate their local economies.
www.marketplace.org
June 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
As lines continue to blur between gambling and event contracts, OAPGG welcomes all opportunities to collaborate on gambling safety and will continue to advocate for prevention and awareness.
gamblingharm.org/kalshi-nba-f...
Kalshi NBA Finals Billboard Ad Raises Problem Gambling Concerns
A Kalshi gambling ad in Oklahoma for the 2025 NBA Finals raised some concerns about a lack of a hotline number.
gamblingharm.org
June 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM