Jul 1, 2026 | ABOUT MNAPG, ADVOCACY
Each March, organizations across the nation come together to observe Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), a grassroots public health campaign aimed at increasing understanding of gambling-related harm and promoting prevention, treatment and recovery resources. In 2026, the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG) played a central role in advancing these goals statewide, aligning its efforts with the national theme of “Caring Communities, Stronger Futures.”
Throughout the month, MNAPG focused on expanding public conversation around sweepstakes casinos, sports betting and prediction markets, all of which continue to grow in visibility and accessibility. Educational messaging highlighted the increased risks associated with mobile gambling apps, pervasive advertising and the normalization of betting tied to major sporting events.
MNAPG staff delivered customized in-person and virtual presentations during PGAM to students, educators, healthcare professionals and community organizations. These sessions covered emerging gambling markets, youth prevention strategies and the convergence of gaming and gambling, equipping communities with practical tools to recognize warning signs and reduce stigma.
A major emphasis of PGAM 2026 in Minnesota was youth gambling prevention. MNAPG emphasized the importance of early intervention, urging families and schools to discuss gambling risks openly and proactively. Media outreach during March reinforced that earlier exposure increases the likelihood of long-term harm, particularly for young people navigating digital environments where gambling-like features are commonplace. MNAPG was pleased that many media outlets featured its executive director to discuss troubling trends among youth and young adults and the growing need for prevention efforts.
MNAPG also re-aired its “Elephant in the Room” PSA on select streaming services. The campaign generated encouraging engagement, with many viewers visiting the organization’s website for additional information and resources.
Each year, MNAPG promotes National Gambling Disorder Screening Day on the second Tuesday in March, encouraging healthcare and behavioral health providers to screen for gambling disorder and connect individuals to appropriate support services. This effort aligns with national best practices and reinforces that gambling disorder is a treatable condition deserving of routine screening.
PGAM 2026 was formally recognized at the state level, with Governor Tim Walz proclaiming March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Minnesota. MNAPG continues to advocate for Minnesota to include gambling addiction within its prevention education efforts for middle and high school students.
MNAPG’s collaboration with government agencies, nonprofit partners and media outlets amplified consistent messaging across the state and helped ensure Minnesotans knew where to turn for help. Public communications regularly highlighted confidential, no-cost resources, including the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-333-HOPE), free financial counseling services and subscriptions to Gamban, a gambling site-blocking tool.
PGAM 2026 reinforced MNAPG’s mission to build informed, compassionate communities that understand gambling-related harm and support recovery. By aligning education, youth prevention, provider engagement and cross-sector partnerships, MNAPG is helping lay the groundwork for stronger futures for individuals, families and communities.
Free Problem Gambling Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)?
PGAM is a grassroots public health campaign observed each March aimed at increasing understanding of gambling-related harm and promoting prevention, treatment, and recovery resources nationwide.
What was the theme for PGAM 2026?
The national theme for Problem Gambling Awareness Month in 2026 was “Caring Communities, Stronger Futures.”
How does MNAPG support youth gambling prevention?
MNAPG emphasizes early intervention, delivers customized presentations to students and educators, and advocates for including gambling addiction within state prevention education efforts for middle and high school students.
Jul 1, 2026 | ABOUT MNAPG
As the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling marks its 25th anniversary, few people have a longer view of its history than Don Feeney, who has been involved since the very beginning and serves on the MNAPG board. In this conversation, he reflects on the organization’s origins, its evolution and what lies ahead.
NL: What do you remember most about the early days of MNAPG?
DF: One thing that’s important to say up front is that the credit for founding the organization really belongs to George Andersen, who was the first director of the Minnesota Lottery director. George called me into his office one day and said, “We need an organization in this state that can serve as a reliable source of information about problem gambling.” At that point, gambling itself was still very controversial, and there were a lot of loud voices, especially among legislators and in the media. What was missing was a factual, credible voice.
Minnesota didn’t have an affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling at the time, and George told me to, “Go make that happen.” The first thing I did was reach out to Roger Svendsen and Lance Holthusen. We met for breakfast at Keys in Roseville and agreed to form a state council. Roger brought a lot of credibility. He was well known nationally and was already involved with the gambling helpline through the Minnesota Department of Health. Lance was a passionate advocate. We pulled together a board, and by September 2001, we had our first meeting.
From the beginning, it was a very diverse group, which is why we chose the word “alliance.”
NL: What were some of the biggest challenges in those early years?
DF: Funding was our biggest challenge. Lance became the first executive director, and I was elected treasurer early on. There were times when we genuinely didn’t know if we’d be able to pay him in a given month. Sometimes we could, sometimes we couldn’t. It was a constant struggle to find a reliable source of funding. That went on for several years until we were finally able to get legislation passed that provided state funding.
NL: That funding effort brought together some unlikely partners. What do you remember about that?
DF: It was actually pretty remarkable. You had lobbyists representing the racetrack, the tribes, charitable gambling — all going together from office to office at the legislature and saying, “You should vote for this.” Legislators were surprised to see that kind of coalition. I think that moment helped people realize this wasn’t about advancing one segment of the industry. It was about addressing a real issue.
NL: What accomplishments or milestones stand out to you over the years?
DF: There wasn’t just one big moment — there were a lot of “baby steps.” Having said that, the first time we held a conference was a milestone. The first time we could say we were actually able to pay an executive director — that was huge. And of course securing that first state funding bill was a major turning point.
But some of the most meaningful progress came more gradually. You started to see MNAPG being quoted in the media. Reporters would call for information or perspective. Our board chair or executive director would get calls asking for facts or context. That’s when it felt like we had really become what we set out to be — a trusted, credible source.
NL: There was some skepticism early on about the organization. How did you navigate that?
DF: There definitely was. People would look at the board and see representatives from Indian gaming, Canterbury Park, the lottery, charitable gambling — and wonder if this was just a front to whitewash the issue. But they also saw people from treatment centers, the helpline and people in recovery. Over time, it became harder to dismiss the organization. We made a conscious decision to stay calm, stay factual and let the work speak for itself. Eventually, that approach paid off.
NL: Over the past 25 years, how has the conversation around problem gambling changed?
DF: It depends on who you’re talking about. There’s still a tendency among many people to view problem gambling as a moral weakness. Surveys at both the state and national level suggest that hasn’t changed as much as you might hope. And that’s unfortunate — because if you see it that way, you’re less likely to recognize the value of treatment.
At the same time, there has been some progress. There’s broader recognition now that gambling is something many, if not most, people do at least occasionally, and that most people do so without negative consequences.
There’s less hysteria around the issue than there used to be. But there’s still a tendency for people to think, “That happens to someone else, not to me or people like me.” And there’s still a lot of misunderstanding about what problem gambling really is and how it develops.
NL: What things have remained constant over time with MNAPG?
DF: A core message from the beginning is that: there is help, it’s free and it works. We’ve worked hard to make sure that’s not just a slogan — that it’s something the state can actually deliver. That hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been a constant focus.
NL: Looking ahead, what challenges do you see for MNAPG and the field in the next 10 to 20 years?
DF: The biggest challenge is that people keep finding new ways to gamble. A lot of what we’re seeing now exists in a gray area, things like prediction markets or other forms of online activity that may not technically be legal in Minnesota, but are still very accessible. In many cases, enforcement at the state level is extremely difficult. Online gambling, in particular, has a tremendous reach. Even where it’s not legal, that’s often more of a technicality than a real barrier. So the landscape keeps evolving, and we’ll have to keep adapting along with it.
NL: When you look at MNAPG today, what stands out to you most?
DF: Honestly, it’s how far we’ve come. Twenty-five years ago, the idea that we would have stable funding and multiple staff members would have seemed out of reach. At that time, we were like many other state councils, just trying to survive on a shoestring. Not every state council has been able to make the transition to a staffed, funded and professional organization. Today, we’re recognized across the nation as a leader, and that’s something I find pretty remarkable.
NL: As you reflect on these 25 years, what are you most interested to see in the future?
DF: I’m very interested to see what the next 25 years bring — both in terms of how gambling evolves and how organizations like MNAPG continue to respond. If the past is any indication, the gambling environment will keep changing. And we’ll have to keep finding ways to meet that challenge and accomplish our mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling founded?
MNAPG was founded and held its first meeting in September 2001.
Who were the founders of MNAPG?
George Andersen, the first director of the Minnesota Lottery, is credited with initiating the founding. He asked Don Feeney to make it happen, who then collaborated with Roger Svendsen and Lance Holthusen to form the state council.
What are the biggest challenges facing problem gambling organizations today?
According to Don Feeney, the biggest challenge is the constantly evolving landscape of gambling, particularly the tremendous reach of online gambling and prediction markets that operate in gray areas of legality.
Jul 1, 2026 | ABOUT MNAPG, ADVOCACY
Addressing gambling addiction — from prevention to treatment to advocacy — truly takes the proverbial village. One essential part of that effort is gaming operators, who work on the frontlines of the gambling environment every day.
The example set by Jackpot Junction Casino, located about two hours west of Minneapolis, demonstrates how a gaming operator can play a meaningful role in promoting responsible gambling and protecting its patrons.
It starts with a commitment from the top. “Our mission statement represents our philosophical beliefs,” says Steve Griffiths, general manager of Jackpot Junction. “It reflects our belief in protecting our community from harm and in making sure our staff recognizes those who may show signs of problem gambling.”
That commitment is clearly articulated in the casino’s mission statement, which is prominently featured in its human resources materials:
The Lower Sioux Indian Community and Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel do not seek to profit from the illness of others. Our responsibility is to ensure that gambling remains an entertainment activity, never a source of harm. We are committed to staff training, heightened awareness, and clear protocols that help our team recognize and respond to signs of problem gambling and underage gambling. Through compassionate action, information, and access to support resources, we work to protect our guests, our community and the integrity of our operations.
How Jackpot Junction Supports Responsible Gambling
- Providing staff training to help employees recognize signs of problem gambling and offer appropriate resources when needed.
- Offering a self-exclusion program for patrons who wish to limit their access to gambling. Coordinating the production of public service announcements with media partners — often at no cost.
- Displaying responsible gambling messaging on billboards, internal television monitors and in printed materials to reinforce awareness.
- Giving patrons the option at redemption kiosks to donate spare change to charitable organizations, including Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling.
Steve notes that if five to 10 other casinos offered the same donation option at their redemption kiosks, it could generate a few thousand dollars per month in important, non-restrictive funding for MNAPG.
“There is real responsibility when you run these establishments,” Steve adds. “Gambling revenue is the lifeblood for many tribes, but it has to be balanced with a commitment to doing things the right way. That’s why we’ve put these measures in place — so we can help ensure gambling remains entertainment and not something that causes harm.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jackpot Junction promote responsible gambling?
Jackpot Junction promotes responsible gambling through staff training to recognize signs of problem gambling, offering self-exclusion programs, displaying responsible gambling messaging throughout the casino, and coordinating public service announcements with media partners.
Can I donate to MNAPG at a casino?
Yes. At Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel, patrons have the option to donate spare change to charitable organizations, including MNAPG, directly at redemption kiosks.
Why is casino staff training important for responsible gambling?
Staff training is essential because casino employees are on the frontlines and can recognize signs of problem gambling or underage gambling, allowing them to offer appropriate support resources before harm escalates.
Mar 31, 2026 | ABOUT MNAPG, ADVOCACY
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and this year MNAPG staff spent the month sharing information about problem gambling as a public health issue across Minnesota and beyond. From radio and TV interviews to newspaper features and podcast appearances, we reached communities statewide with resources, warning signs and support options.
Here is a recap of our media appearances throughout the month:
Radio
WCCO Radio (Appearance 1) — March 3, 2026
WCCO Radio (Appearance 2) — March 16, 2026
WDKE — March 16, 2026
MPR — March 23, 2026
Television
KVRR — March 4, 2026
St. Cloud Live — March 7, 2026
WCCO-TV — March 9, 2026
KAAL-TV— March 19, 2026
KTTC-TV— March 20, 2026
FOX — March 20, 2026 (segment begins at 12:10)
Online and Print
WCCO Online — March 19, 2026
Grand Rapids Herald
Duluth News Tribune (Letter to the Editor) — March 26, 2026
Podcasts
StribSports Daily Delivery, Star Tribune — March 19, 2026 Susan Sheridan Tucker joined host Michael Rand to discuss prediction markets and why platforms operating like sports betting sites are accessible even in states where sports betting is not yet legalized.
MPR News Presents — March 23, 2026 Host Catharine Richert and guests explored the impact of online sports betting and prediction markets on Minnesotans.
