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Maureen Greeley 
Executive Director 

Dave Yeager Brings His Passion to Service on ECPG Board 

Passion – that’s what excites, motivates, and interests Dave Yeager, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling’s newest Board member. It’s no surprise that Dave is particularly interested in ECPG’s “Military and veteran outreach and education and special projects that ‘think outside the box,’” and here’s why.   

“I am in recovery for a gambling addiction that started while I was on active duty in the Army,” explains Dave.  I wanted to lend my voice to raise awareness about disordered gambling for a severely underserved population.” 

Dave Yeager has done that in a profound way.  His Podcast, Fall In: The Problem Gambling Podcast for Military Service Members and Veterans, features clinicians, advocates, veterans’ organizations and, most importantly, veterans in recovery.  His book, Fall In: A Veteran with a Gambling Addiction, is an in-depth account of his own journey through a gambling addiction, both as an active-duty service member and a veteran.  “My goal,” says Dave, is to raise awareness and share hope.  I have had the honor of being interviewed by several media outlets recently.  It energizes me because it means this topic is gaining momentum and awareness.” 

When Dave joined the ECPG Board of Directors in April 2024, he mentioned that ECPG’s transparency and integrity motivated him and that the Council’s commitment to offering programs and services for marginalized and underserved communities is part of what makes ECPG stand out. 

“I can sum up how ECPG makes a difference in two words…by caring,” said Dave.  “I’ve not had contact with one employee or member of this Council who isn’t passionate about the cause.  Also, by bringing in the ‘right person for the job,’ they are able to accomplish what they set out to do.  ECPG puts a great deal of energy into serving service members and veterans, offering extensive resources, a link to my podcast, and even a questionnaire to self-assess risk.  The commitment is clear.” 

While Dave has already shared his lived experience and recovery journey through ECPG conferences, webinars, Kaleidoscope and ECPG Live!, and Connections Podcast, he hopes to be even more involved in the future, particularly  through his knowledge and understanding of both lived experience and military/veteran awareness and outreach efforts.  

“Military, veterans, and their families are at higher risk for disordered gambling than the general population,” Dave explains.  “They are also terribly underserved.  In the military, a gambling problem is treated more as a money and disciplinary problem than as an addiction and mental health concern.  This creates fear and stigma, which need to be broken down through awareness, education, screening, and treatment.” 

Dave’s work clearly is a passion and an inspiration for him.  So is his family.  He married his high-school sweetheart, Bonnie, who inspires Dave because she “always looks for the bright side in any situation.”   These days, Dave and Bonnie  are finding inspiration together in nature.  “We recently purchased our first pull-behind camper and are exploring life ‘on the road’ – at least a bit of it,” said Dave. “I love outdoor activities, including saltwater fishing, golfing, and camping.” 

Summer Gift Responsibly Campaign Celebrates the Young Graduates in our Lives! 

All of us at the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling believe in creating memorable moments for celebrations – including for young graduates – and we know you do, too!  So, while Scratch tickets may seem like a fun celebration gift to leave in a card – and they are for those old enough to enjoy them responsibly – giving them to anyone under the age of 18 may have serious unintended consequences. 

We can celebrate the young grads in our life by providing other more age-appropriate and rewarding gifts! 

That’s why we encourage gift-givers to choose gifts that set them up for success!  After all, Scratch tickets aren’t child’s play. 

Download 13 RAD Gift Ideas for YOUR Grad here.

Gambling/Gaming; Betting/Wagering; Responsible Gaming/Problem Gambling…. 

So many terms and so little consensus on what they really mean.  While we may think this is a new conundrum in this age or expansion of all types of gambling and gaming, the terms have coexisted for years. 

Gambling is often the most familiar term for the activity of wagering on games.  Gaming is used most frequently by the gaming industry and, of course, for playing games online. 

At the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG), “Gambling” is the preferred term for playing/wagering on games of chance.  The Convergence of Gaming (Video/Role Playing/Internet/Monetized Social Casinos) and Gambling (Casinos/Lottery/Horse Racing/BINGO, etc.) are blurring those terms even more!  Because ECPG strives to provide programs and services for those impacted by Gambling and Gaming, we use both terms in our Mission statement.  

So, what does this all boil down to for ECPG’s purposes?  To learn more about these terms and some interesting history about their use, view the full article here.

The terminology we use today may very well change – several times – in the coming years as our field, and our team at ECPG, reflect on the perceptions the terms bring forward.  Do they meet our needs?  Do they represent the programs and services we offer?  Do they respect the people impacted by our work?  Do they break down barriers to help those in need gain access to appropriate services?  It will be a constant effort on the part of ECPG to stay abreast of changes in terminology (or even recommend changes based on what we learn from those we serve and our many partners) in the coming years and adapt as appropriate. 

Save-the-Date! 

Four Directions

Cultural Awareness and Healing Support Conference 

September 16-19, 2024 

Little Creek Casino Resort – Shelton, WA 

Registration for the popular Four Directions conference is open!  If you missed this conference last year, take a look at some of the highlights in the photos here.  Four Directions 2024 promises to be another exciting, fulfilling, and enriching event.   

With the support of many Tribal Nations and community partners in the Pacific Northwest, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling offers the Four Directions conference each year as Summer transitions into Autumn with the aim of Honoring Our Past and Protecting Our Future through holistic health, wellness, and recovery support.  Join us this September for a unique opportunity to learn from and engage with a diverse group of public health, prevention, treatment, advocacy, and recovery leaders.  At ECPG, we believe that ensuring both greater awareness of and enhanced access to quality treatment and recovery supports that meet individual needs with cultural awareness and respect is crucial.  Here are just a few of the topics that you might enjoy at Four Directions 2024: 

• Healing Harmonies: Harnessing History and Holism in Gambling Recovery 

• Feeding the Spirit – Food and Medicine in Native Culture 

• Art as Therapy – Learning to Tell Your Story through Art 

• A New Trauma/Addiction Model for Self-help, Family, Peers, and Professionals 

• Fantasy and Cognitive Distortions in developing and recovery of disordered gambling. 

There’s much more to come, including an exciting Community Event on Wednesday, September 18.  For more information or to register for Four Directions, click here.

A Few Photo Highlights from Four Directions 2023

Funding Support for Providers and Clients 

ECPG works with their partners to find new and improved ways to help provide support for peers and counselors to obtain education, training, and credentialing to better serve those impacted by gambling-related harms. Thanks to contributions from WA tribes, the WA State Problem Gambling Program, and Recovery Café Network.

Here’s an overview of the support available, click the links below to learn more. 

Joint ECPG ASSOCIATE / NCPG MEMBERSHIP  

Not yet an ECPG Associate?  Click Here for More Information and Application 

Take advantage of our Joint ECPG Associate/NCPG Membership – join both and save!  

As an ECPG Associate, you’ll receive discounted rates on all our trainings and conferences – all of which offer Continuing Education Units from many associations and certification boards.  You do not have to be a WA State resident in order to be an ECPG Associate.   

Faith, Finances, and Gambling

Connections: Healthy Gambling and Gaming Podcast - Season 5 Episode 2

  Episode will launch on June 20, 2024!  

Dr. Shandra Parks, President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, joins podcast host Tana Russell, Deputy Director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, on this episode. Together they discuss gambling-related impacts in black communities through Dr. Parks' professional background first working in faith communities and financial social work, before also becoming a Certified Gambling Counselor, the President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, and owner of Sparks Wellness Group. Together they explore how the worlds of faith, finances, and gambling collide to affect the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Current Episode: Recovery One Day At A Time: with Gust Rob One Day At A Time (O.D.A.T.) - S5E1

Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and most places you get your podcasts from.

Black Community Advisory Committee – Launching soon! 

ECPG is excited to launch a project long in the works – the new Black Community Advisory Committee! We still have openings for volunteers to help guide our efforts toward gambling disorder recovery equity for all.  We are looking for individuals who are trusted community leaders, eager to help influence positive impacts in behavioral health equity for black communities, and available to collaborate with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds.  

We are seeking people who: 

• Are leaders in black communities and specialize in behavioral health equity, health outreach/awareness/prevention, and/or public health. 

• Who have knowledge in gambling or video gaming disorders (desired but not a requirement.) 

• Are able and willing to meet virtually a few times a year (generally quarterly) or as needed to contribute thoughts. 

• May be able to assist in hands-on work depending on desired projects and objectives of the committee. 

• Are familiar with the Pacific Northwest (desired but not a requirement.) 

• Are eager to collaborate with like-minded individuals to make progress for equitable access to care, resources, and awareness. 

Please use this list as a guideline, not as strict conditions, it is the life and expertise of the individual volunteers that make the community advisory committees so incredibly valuable in helping ECPG to make real and lasting change. 

What are Community Advisory Committees?  

Our mission at ECPG thrives on empowering people to achieve a state of well-being and health. We understand that everyone’s journey is incredibly diverse and that our work requires sensitivity in representing these varied experiences. Our Advisory Committee volunteers share experiences, insights, and knowledge that are vital to helping ECPG offer and enhance programs that meet the needs of diverse communities.  Current advisory committees have helped to create the Spanish ECPG webpage with many of the Spanish-language screening tools and resources included there, hold community events, decide on YouTube video and podcast outreach/education topics to help specific communities, increase reach and impact of Problem Gambling Awarensess Month and Gambling Disorder Screening Day, consult on culturally-appropriate imagery, colors, language, messaging, current trends/gaps/needs, and more.  

How to Join 

Interested applicants can fill out a short online application found at the bottom of our Culture and Community page. Spots may be open on other advisory committees, so we encourage you to apply to the group to which you feel most connected! 

ECPG Prevention Program is Awarded a Tribal Grant from Kalispel Tribe of Indians and an Agility Grant from the National Council on Problem Gambling!

ECPG is excited to announce that our Council is one of nine recipients of the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Spring 2024 Agility Grant Awards, to which we applied for funding for a new and innovative youth prevention project!   

ECPG also applied for and has received a tribal grant from Kalispel Tribe of Indians for this project.

A big thank you – without their combined support, this program would not be possible.  

What do we plan to do with this funding?   

Stay Tuned for a big announcement in the coming months, as Paulina Zyskowski, Prevention and Community Outreach Specialist with ECPG, is leading a project to create an innovative and interactive prevention program to help youth learn about problem gambling and gaming, while completing challenges to get involved in their communities, practice wellness, do community service, and engage in healthy activities both online and offline.   

What do we need to make it happen? 

Partners: 

ECPG is currently looking for organizations willing to support the project either through sponsorships, or by donating gifts, tickets, or passes (digital or print) that will be used as awards given directly to the youth involved in the program, such as museum tickets, waterpark passes, gifts, and more. The program is state-wide, and so are our partners! 

Current Community Partners include Hands On Children’s Museum, Jefferson County Historical Society, Tacoma Museum of Glass, Centralia Rollerdome, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Wolf Haven International, 23 Kitchens, and The Great Wolf Lodge, who have donated individual and family passes.   

If you or an organization you work with is interested in sponsoring or donating to this program, please contact Paulina Zyskowski, pzyskowski@evergreencpg.org.   

Participants: 

The program will offer interactive engagement for youth ages 9-12, 13-16, and 17+, as well as publicly accessible content for parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors.   

The program will be ideal for individuals of the above age groups who want to learn and engage in their communities, as well as after-school programs, school clubs, sports teams, Boy and Girl Scout troops, youth treatment and recovery programs, and more.  

We are currently looking for groups who are interested in signing up for the summer pilot program. If you or someone you know works with youth and is interested], please contact Paulina Zyskowski, pzyskowski@evergreencpg.org. 

Get Ready for Responsible Gaming Education Month! 

Did you know that September is Responsible Gaming Education Month?  Last year, the American Gaming Association (AGA) expanded its Responsible Gaming Education Week to a full month for its 25th anniversary year, encouraging Gaming Operators and Partners to focus efforts on Responsible Gaming Awareness around Culture, Customers, Regulators, and Research.   

The Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG) also encourages all Gaming Operators in Washington and those participating in our RG STAR (Responsible Gaming Support, Training, And Resources) program to participate by looking at several key areas: 

• Consumer/Player Education – Keeping gaming/gambling fun for those who can enjoy it for entertainment and recreation; and Ensuring resources are available to everyone for Help, Treatment, and Support Services and even to empower players to better understand the odds and facts about the games they may choose to play. 

• Building a Responsible Gaming Culture – This includes creating and/or reviewing existing Responsible Gaming policies, procedures, and plans; ensuring effective Voluntary Self Exclusion programs are in place and publicized along with information via signage and on websites that offer Helpline numbers and other resources; elevating employee training; and more. 

• Support Research – There are many ways the Gaming Industry can be a strong partner in supporting research that advances our understanding of Responsible Gaming and issues related to the impacts of Problem Gambling. 

For more information on ECPG’s RG STAR (Responsible Gaming Support, Training, And Resources) program, click here.

In June, the AGA will be launching support materials, toolkits, and webinars for this year’s Responsible Gaming Education Month.  For more information, check the AGA website at Responsible Gaming Education Month 2024 - American Gaming Association 

Examples of past topics and resources include: 

• Empowering Customers to Play Responsibly 

• Legal, Regulated Gaming Protects Players 

• Building a Responsible Gaming Culture Within 

• Advancing Responsible Gaming with Research