Ruidoso, NM — The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico (RGANM) participated in a day dedicated to health, empowerment, and community connection through its “Walk by the Lake: Walking for Empowerment” and Health & Wellness Fair at Grindstone Lake. The annual event brought together hundreds of participants, local healthcare partners, and community organizations with one shared mission—to promote healthy, balanced, and responsible living across New Mexico. Members of the Association distributed information about setting limits on gambling and the importance of responsible gambling, whether that’s at the casino, a sports bet, or online gaming.

Walking for Empowerment

The morning began with the Walk by the Lake, where 80 participants took part in an inspiring walk along the scenic Grindstone Lake Trail. The walk served as a symbol of both physical and emotional well-being, encouraging individuals to take active steps toward healthier lifestyles.

For RGANM, events like this go beyond exercise—they’re a reminder that responsible gaming starts with overall wellness. By focusing on physical activity, social connection, and mental health, participants learned that balance in everyday life contributes to balance in decision-making. The event encouraged everyone to take time for themselves, engage in healthy habits, and seek out resources that support both their physical and emotional well-being.

Community Health and Wellness in Action

Following the walk, the Health & Wellness Fair drew an impressive 706 visitors, each signing in to visit a diverse lineup of 83 community and healthcare booths. The fair provided access to valuable preventive health screenings, educational materials, and one-on-one support from professionals throughout New Mexico.

A wide range of local health partners offered free or low-cost services to attendees:

• Lincoln County Medical Center administered 82 flu vaccinations and completed 85 lipid and glucose screenings.
• Indian Health Services (IHS) provided 78 flu vaccinations, 45 COVID-19 vaccinations, and distributed 10 colon cancer screening kits.
• Assured Imaging’s Mammogram Coach helped 35 women receive essential mammogram screenings.
• United Blood Services collected blood donations from 40 generous participants, helping support hospitals statewide.
• New Mexico Lions KidSight performed vision screenings for 5 children and 4 adults, distributing 140 free glasses order forms to those in need.
• New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) conducted 16 STI tests, while UNM Truman Health Services performed 20 HIV and Hepatitis C screenings.
• PeopleWorks–NM offered mental health screenings and interventions, reminding attendees that emotional wellness is equally important as physical health.

Each organization played a vital role in expanding access to care and awareness of the many services available throughout New Mexico.

Promoting Responsible Choices and Healthy Lifestyles

The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico’s mission is to help individuals and communities understand that responsible gaming is part of a bigger picture—one that includes self-care, mental health, and community connection. By hosting the Walk by the Lake and Wellness Fair, RGANM continues to highlight the link between balanced living and making responsible choices, both in gaming and everyday life.

The event not only brought essential health resources to the Ruidoso community but also created opportunities for education and engagement. Visitors learned about healthy habits, preventive screenings, and local mental health resources—tools that empower individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Building a Healthier Future for New Mexico

The success of this year’s event reflects RGANM’s ongoing commitment to community outreach and public education. With hundreds of participants and dozens of organizations collaborating, the Walk by the Lake and Health & Wellness Fair showed the impact that collective effort can have on improving wellness and awareness statewide.

“We’re proud to see so many individuals and families come together in the spirit of health, connection, and empowerment,” said Shannon Dictson, President of the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico. “Our goal is to promote balance and responsibility—not only in gaming, but in every aspect of life.”

By working alongside healthcare partners, nonprofits, and tribal and state agencies, RGANM continues to provide resources that promote healthy lifestyles and responsible behaviors across New Mexico communities.

For more information about upcoming Responsible Gaming New Mexico events, educational resources, or support programs, follow the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico on social media.

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 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 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.