Art Contest Announced for Middle and High School Students

Mar 4, 2024 | RGANM In The News

An art contest is underway for New Mexico students in grades 6 through 12 to help educate their peers about the risks of underage gambling and the potential for harm. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60 to 80 percent of high school students report having gambled for money in the past year and 4-6% meet the criteria of a problem gambler.

The contest is sponsored by the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico (RGANM), a collaboration of the state’s Native American-owned tribal casinos. Submitted artwork will be evaluated for use in a student planner booklet that RGANM will print and distribute for the 2024-2025 school year. Thirteen submissions will be chosen for the planner’s cover and 12 months; the winning cover design will receive a $100 gift card and each winner for a monthly page will receive a $50 gift card.

“The student planner includes broader information in addition to advocating against underage gambling,” said Shannon Dictson, president of RGANM and coordinator of the Mescalero Responsible Gaming Program. “Information is also included about suicide prevention, obesity, vaping, underage drinking, and issues relevant to teens and young adults.”

She says the planner is a way to help spread the message that gambling is a form of entertainment to be enjoyed in moderation by adults and should only use disposable income. “This is a way to share information to help students and encourage them to not participate in addictive or potentially harmful activities,” she said.

Artwork should be on 8.5×11 white paper, either horizontal or vertical. It should illustrate a message such as:

Set a dollar limit and stick with it
There are times when people should not gamble
Free counseling is available for anyone with a gambling problem
Gambling is not essential for having fun
Don’t let gambling interfere with family, friends or work.
Kids are 2-3 times the risk of adults for developing a gambling problem
The Problem Gambling Helpline in New Mexico is 1-888-696-2440

The student’s name, grade level and school should be included in the artwork itself, as well as a valid phone number and email. Submissions can be made to smdictson@matgc.org. For more information, call 575- 464-7106. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2024.

2024 Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Mar 1, 2024 | Problem Gambling

Each year in the United States, March is observed as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. In New Mexico, the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico (RGANM) offers year-round outreach, prevention, and treatment for those affected by problem gambling.

“Gambling, whether it’s at a casino or even online games, can become a compulsive behavior for some, particularly online gaming sites which can be very addictive since the cell phone is always within reach,” said Shannon Dictson, the association’s president and the coordinator of the Mescalero Responsible Gaming Program in Mescalero, New Mexico. “Our goal in Problem Gambling Awareness Month, as well as every other month, is to make sure people have the information about how to play responsibly and how to access the resources and treatment that are available, if they need help. Our website and 24/7 helpline, staffed by counselors trained in problem gambling treatment, offer lots of information as well as access to free treatment.”

March is not only Problem Gambling Awareness Month, it is also a time when the annual basketball tournament is held. Research conducted by American Gaming Association says that 47 million Americans expect to wager on the March Madness tournament. One analyst on BoydsBets.com estimates that nearly half a billion dollars will be wagered during the tournament, with players making bets in Las Vegas, online gaming, sportsbooks, and office pools.

“Gambling has become pervasive across the United States,” said Dictson, “We even have online sports bet companies advertising on TV in professional sports. With so much promotion of gambling, we want to make sure people have information.”

In New Mexico, before the first Native casino opened in 1995, a collaboration of tribes formed the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico, knowing that resources would be needed. During March, and across the entire year, the Association and the treatment providers that work with them offer many resources, including free treatment, are available for the gambler and their family. The Association has also announced that registration is open for their annual conference for treatment providers, which helps educate them on the latest research and options to help problem gamblers. If you need to be invoiced for your registrations, reach out to Kalika Valerio at kalika@theevolutiongroup.com.

More information about those resources can be found at RGANM.org or by calling the RGANM Helpline at 888-696-2440. Nationwide statistics and resources including screening tools can be found on the National Council for Problem Gambling website at ncpgambling.org.

28th Annual Problem Gambling Conference

Feb 27, 2024 | Problem Gambling Conference

The 28th Annual RGANM Conference on Problem Gambling will focus on “Converging Paths: Culture, Spirituality, Native Ways of Healing, Brain Science, and Honoring the Elderly“. It will be held August 15-16, 2024 at the Isleta Resort & Casino near Albuquerque. Counselors and social workers will earn 12 CEUs including 6 for ethics and 6 for cultural ethics with their attendance.

Speakers scheduled to attend include:

Daniel Mate, Co-author of “The Myth of Normal”.
Jon Grant, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
Sharon Baty, PhD with a session title How Spiritual Practices May Contribute to Post-Traumatic Growth of Trauma Survivors who Struggle with Gambling and Other Addictions
Javoen Byrd and Itza on the Healing Power of Drumming
Regina Koupp, PhD on Death with Dignity: Differentiating the Right to Die from Suicidality
Chris Anderson, LMFT – Encore; The Spirituality of Gambling Addiction
Lorenzo Jim, LPCC- Working with Native American Clients, What Therapists Need to Know

For 28 years, the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico has offered therapists from all over New Mexico to its annual conference to hear from a diverse variety of experts on, mental health, trauma, holistic healing, and recovery from problem gambling and other addictions.
This conference is both a high quality learning experience and a very affordable way to earn 12 CEUs while mingling and catching up with colleagues. Early bird registration is $59 until June 15, 2024, then will be $79.

To register, click here. If you need to be invoiced for your registrations, reach out to Kalika Valerio at kalika@theevolutiongroup.com.

Isleta Resort & Casino is offering a discounted Room Rate for the 2024 RGANM Conference at $141.00 per night. Reservations must be made before Saturday, July 13, 2024. Book Hotel Reservations at (877)747-5382 or (505) 724-3800. You must mention the Meeting Group name: Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico, or use the Group Code: RNM0824.

Problem Gambling Videos are Available

Feb 27, 2024 | Problem Gambling

A new series of videos are available on our website for treatment providers and the gamblers and family members affected by problem gambling. The videos include nationally recognized experts on addictions as well as New Mexico treatment providers.

The topics include:
– “ACEs: The Link Between Childhood Trauma, Brain Chemistry, and Addictions”: ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) has a direct correlation with the likelihood of issues for adolescents and adults. They are more prone to addictive behaviors as well as other health issues. Nationally recognized speaker, Frank Kros, MSW, JD, explains the tie between ACEs and compulsive gambling.
– “Harm Reduction in Gambling”: Loreen Rugle, PhD, explains that research has shown gamblers may benefit from harm reduction techniques as opposed to trying to never gamble again. Daniel Blackwood, Director of The Evolution Group, covers information on how to approach harm reduction.
– “Self Help Programs for Gambling”: the Gamblers Anonymous national spokesperson and treatment providers for compulsive gambling offer information on how self help programs work, what to expect, and how to get involved.
– “Self Bans in Casinos”: New Mexico casinos all offer a self-ban program, where a gambler may choose to self-exclude from the property. Learn what to expect, how the self-bans may differ at various properties, and if this is an option you’d like to explore.
– “Sports Betting”: Wagering on sports is now possible in many New Mexico casinos, and across the nation, is often available on apps on your smart phone. Learn the impact of sports betting, why it is perhaps more addictive than other types of gaming, and how to play responsibly.

The videos were produces by Edit House Productions, one of New Mexico’s leading video production companies. Edit House has worked with the Responsible Gaming Association since 2006.

2023 Infographic

Jan 29, 2024 | RGANM In The News

Our annual summary of outreach and services to those affected by problem gambling is summarized below in an infographic. For any questions about our services or the association of native casinos, contact president@rganm.org.

Art Contest Announced for Middle and High School Students

2024 Problem Gambling Awareness Month

28th Annual Problem Gambling Conference

Problem Gambling Videos are Available

2023 Infographic

Recent Posts

Treatment Providers: Join our E-mail List to Receive Updates