Responsible Gaming of New Mexico is proud to support a new series of Money Management Online Workshops taking place throughout February 2026. These free Wednesday evening classes are designed to help New Mexicans strengthen their financial skills, reduce money-related stress, and build healthier relationships with money—all key components of overall well-being and responsible decision-making.

Financial challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. When finances feel overwhelming, stress and emotional strain often follow, sometimes leading to impulsive or harmful decisions. By providing access to practical education and supportive resources, Responsible Gaming of New Mexico continues its mission to empower individuals with tools that encourage balance, awareness, and informed choices.

Accessible, Judgment-Free Financial Education

The February Money Management workshops are held virtually via Zoom, making them easy to attend from anywhere in New Mexico. These sessions are intentionally designed to be welcoming and flexible. Some participants actively ask questions and engage in discussion, while others prefer to listen quietly and absorb the information. Both approaches are encouraged, creating a comfortable learning environment for everyone.

The workshops are led by Dawn Esquibel, a Bank Vice President and Financial Services Professional with extensive experience helping individuals understand and manage their finances. Additional sessions include licensed mental health professionals who focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of money decisions—an often overlooked but critical piece of financial wellness.

To further encourage participation, attendees will also be entered into a drawing to win a $15 or $25 Amazon gift card.

February 2026 Workshop Topics and Dates

Each workshop builds on the last, but participants are welcome to attend one session or all four. All classes take place on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

February 4 – Understanding Your Income and Expenses

This session focuses on identifying where money is coming from and where it’s going. Participants learn practical ways to track spending, recognize patterns, and gain clarity around their financial habits. Understanding cash flow is often the first step toward feeling more in control of finances.

February 11 – Managing Debt

Debt can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like there’s “too much month and not enough money.” This workshop offers strategies for prioritizing debt, understanding interest, and creating realistic plans to move forward without shame or pressure.

February 18 – Strategies for Financial Recovery

Financial setbacks happen, whether due to job changes, medical issues, or unexpected expenses. This session explores steps for rebuilding credit, addressing financial damage, and setting achievable recovery goals. It emphasizes progress over perfection.

February 25 – Emotions and Money

Money decisions are rarely just about numbers. This workshop looks at how emotions, beliefs, and stress influence spending, saving, and financial risk-taking. Understanding these connections can help individuals make more thoughtful, intentional choices.

These workshops are sponsored by Responsible Gaming Programs, including Responsible Gaming of New Mexico and Sandia Casino, reflecting a shared commitment to education, prevention, and community well-being

Money Management Online Worksh…

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Why Money Management Matters to Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming is about more than setting limits—it’s about understanding how money, emotions, and decision-making intersect. Financial stress can increase vulnerability and reduce the ability to make balanced choices. By offering free financial education, Responsible Gaming of New Mexico helps address one of the root causes that can contribute to harmful behaviors.

These Money Management workshops support individuals at every stage, whether they are seeking to prevent financial problems, recover from setbacks, or simply gain a better understanding of their finances. The skills taught extend beyond gaming-related concerns and can positively impact housing stability, relationships, mental health, and long-term financial security.

How to Register

Registration is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Participants can register by scanning the QR code on the workshop flyer or by using the following link:

👉 https://forms.gle/trRMS4KMCgECGMnR9

Early registration is encouraged to ensure a spot in these highly valuable sessions.

Supporting Healthier Futures

Responsible Gaming of New Mexico remains committed to providing resources that promote informed decision-making, financial stability, and personal wellness. These February Money Management workshops are a practical, supportive way to invest in yourself or encourage someone you care about to take a positive step forward.

By offering accessible education and compassionate guidance, these workshops help New Mexicans build skills that last well beyond February—and support healthier choices for the future.

Ethics Session IV: Gambling, Shame, Stigma and the Importance of Language

Join us for the 12th problem gambling webinar in the series from the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico on Friday, August 13, 2021 from 11am-12:30 pm MDT. This is the final session in a four-part series on ethics and problem gambling.

“Gambler, gambling addict, compulsive gambler”: This use of language is the norm, not the exception. It is so ubiquitous that we don’t even think about it. Much more has been written about the significance of the language of recovery in the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health fields, particularly around issues of stigma and shame.

This presentation will address the importance of using our words and language to reduce stigma in the field of gambling disorder for both individuals in recovery and their partners in recovery. What we learn will be embodied with breathing. This webinar will count as 1.5 gambling-specific and ethics CEUs.
Our presenter for this session will be Dr. Loreen Rugle, PhD

Moderator: Daniel Blackwood, LPCC

Friday, August 13th, 11am-12:30pm
The webinar is free but seating is limited and you must register to have a spot saved. Click here to register.

The 2018 Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico’s 21st annual problem gambling conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, August 9-10, 2018 from 8:00am to 4:30pm each day. The event will be at Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque. If any seats remain, walk-up registrations will be accepted on Wednesday, Aug. 8th from 5-7pm only, but must be paid by credit or debit card.

This year’s conference title is “Empowering Treatment with New Research Findings”. The agenda is posted here.

To view speakers notes, please click on the blue button at the top of this page.

The conference will provide 14 CEU credits for counselors and social workers’ ongoing education, of which 6 are ethics credits.

At the conference, meals are provided buffet style, so you do not need to specify a vegetarian meal. All registrations are final and non-refundable. Substitute attendees are not allowed in advance or at the door.

Registration Check-In and Exceptional Necessity

Check-in will be available on Wednesday evening, Aug. 8th from 5-7pm in the Isleta Resort convention center. Check-in will also be available from 7am to 8:45am on Thursday, Aug. 9th. Isleta Resort and Casino has ample handicapped parking as well as valet service. If you have an exceptional necessity such as special seating, a required companion, or other accommodation, contact our registration coordinator now by email at conference@rganm.org.

Conference Materials and Scholarships

Note that handouts for each presentation will NOT be available at the conference. Please click the blue button above to download the speakers’ notes and materials that are available.

Hotel Accommodations and Transportation

Guest room reservations can be made by calling Isleta Resort and Casino’s hotel reservations at 877-747-5382 or 505-848-1999. Use the group code RGA0818 or mention the conference name to receive the discounted rate of $89/night for double occupancy (plus taxes and resort fee). A charge of $10 will be added for each guest over double occupancy with a maximum of four guests per room. Rates cannot be changed at check-in or check-out for those who do not use the discount code when making the reservation. Reservations must be made by July 20, 2018, guaranteed by credit card. No-shows or early departures will be charged one night’s room fee plus tax. Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance to avoid charges. Check in is at 3pm; checkout by 11am.

Isleta Resort and Casino is located south of Albuquerque; exit 215. Attendees from the metro area can ride the RailRunner train and exit at the Isleta Pueblo stop. Shuttle vans will be available for transportation to the casino’s convention center.

2018 Problem Gambling Conference Presentations

The 2017 Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico’s 20th annual problem gambling conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, August 3-4, 2017 from 8:00am to 4:30pm each day. The event will be at Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque.

This year’s conference title is “Therapies that Enhance Wellness and Recovery”. Please read all the information below before registering. If you attended in 2016 AND have the SAME email address, you should be able to log in to your account, select the 2017 conference, and pay via PayPal. If you did not attend in 2016 OR you have a NEW email, you will need to create a new account.

The conference will again provide CEU credits for counselors and social workers’ ongoing education. The fee for the conference has always been kept very low, and has remained the same for the past few years so that many behavioral health professionals and the general public can attend. The $75 registration fee covers all the sessions and materials, as well as continental breakfast and lunch both days. A reduced $65 “early bird” fee is available through June 4th.

Twenty-five scholarships are available for students currently enrolled in counselling-related college-level classes. The scholarships will cover the conference registration fee. Online applications must be received by June 16, 2017.

Past conference attendees will receive an email when registration opens as a reminder.

Speakers who will be presenting include Dr. Robert Weisz, PhD; Jim Thomas, LMFT; Sylvia Stenitzer, MA and LPCC; and Dr. David Ledgerwood, PhD. Twelve total CEUs will be available for licensed treatment providers, of which 6 are ethics credits.

Registration is $75; registration will close on July 7th or when the capacity of 500 is reached. The fee includes all sessions, access to the online materials, and the continental breakfast and buffet lunch both days. The lunches are buffet style, so you do not need to specify a vegetarian meal. All registrations are final and non-refundable. Substitute attendees are not allowed in advance or at the door.

Registration

You may register an Individual, paid through a credit card on Paypal, or a Group, either paid through a credit card on Paypal, or through a Purchase Order. Note that a unique email is required for each attendee, as well as their licensure information if CEUs are needed; registrations with incomplete information will not process the payment and will not be completed. You will need to log back in to your account, complete any missing informatiobn, then your payment will process. If you have questions, contact our coordinator at conference@rganm.org.

Registration Check-In and Exceptional Necessity

Check-in will be available on Wednesday evening, Aug. 2nd from 5-7pm in the Isleta Resort convention center. Check-in will also be available from 7am to 8:45am on Thursday, Aug. 3rd.

Isleta Resort and Casino has ample handicapped parking as well as valet service. If you have an exceptional necessity such as special seating, a required companion, or other accommodation, contact our registration coordinator now at conference@rganm.org.

Conference Materials and Scholarships

Note that handouts for each presentation will NOT be available at the conference. Shortly before the conference, revisit this site and download the speakers’ notes and materials that will be posted here. Scholarships are available for up to 25 students studying social science or business in a New Mexico university, community college or continuing education program. For details or to apply, see the scholarship application.

Hotel Accommodations and Transportation

Guest room reservations can be made by calling Isleta Resort and Casino’s hotel reservations at 877-747-5382 or 505-848-1999. Use the group code RGA0817 to receive the discounted rate of $91/night for double occupancy (plus taxes and resort fee). Rates cannot be changed at check-in for those who do not use the discount code in making the reservation. Reservations must be made by July 10, 2017, guaranteed by valid credit card. No-shows or early departures will be charged one night’s room fee plus tax. Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance. Check in is at 3pm; checkout by 11am.

Isleta Resort and Casino is located south of Albuquerque; exit 215. Attendees from the metro area can ride the Railrunner train and exit at the Isleta Pueblo stop. Shuttle vans will be available for transportation to the casino’s convention center.

To receive your CEU credits after the Problem Gambling Conference, you must complete the post-conference survey. An Instruction Sheet will be given to conference attendees with details about the online survey at SurveyMonkey.com. If you have questions regarding CEUs, call 505-242-6988 ext. 112.