The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is once again looking for a new executive director at a tumultuous time for the non-profit organization.
- Heather Maurer held the executive director role for less than a year.
- The NCPG created a prediction market category in May after receiving a $2-million investment from Kalshi.
- State regulators and a problem-gambling group cut ties with the NCPG.
Heather Maurer resigned as leader of the problem-gambling awareness and advocacy group on Saturday, according to multiple reports. She will stay in her role until Oct. 16, the NCPG told Covers on Monday. Maurer has only been with the organization since January.
“With the dedicated commitment and depth of experience of the NCPG staff, we are assured all of our advocacy, programs, and services will carry on seamlessly during the search process,” said Derek Longmeier, president of the NCPG Board of Directors.
Maurer, who took over for longtime executive director Keith Whyte, oversaw the organization’s national programs, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives.
Controversial initiative
The NCPG, which was established in 1972, works with policymakers, industry leaders, and community partners to further gambling-related policies and focuses on prevention, education, and advocacy of problems associated with gambling throughout the nation.
“The need for NCPG's work to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm has never been greater, and we will continue to build on the strength of our partnerships with Affiliates, members, and donors to meet the challenges ahead,” Longmeier said.
The organization, though, has run into issues with some of its stakeholders since adopting a subcategory for prediction markets in May. Trading on exchanges like Kalshi and Polymarket is considered financial markets and not associated with gambling. They are also regulated federally by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Kalshi invested $2 million into the NCPG, which said it was supporting a strategic initiative focused on responsible trading, health, and safety.
Multiple members of the NCPG have been outspoken about the organization’s inclusion of prediction market operators. More than a dozen states that operate regulated sports betting are entangled in legal battles with trading exchanges.
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Missions unaligned
Both the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which regulate gambling in their respective jurisdictions, withdrew their NCPG memberships since prediction markets were added.
“I am deeply concerned that Kalshi’s attempts to distinguish sporting event contracts from other forms of sports betting by claiming that its offerings are akin to ‘investment’ or ‘insurance’ products directly undermine a foundational message of responsible gaming: that gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only,” MGCB executive director Henry Williams said in July.
The Nevada Council of Problem Gambling said in August that its mission “no longer aligned” with the national chapter, and the state organization severed ties.
“Our decision is based on the elevated risk of harm to young people,” Nevada council’s executive director Trey Delap said. “The activity on the Kalshi platform has the same effect as gambling. ‘Positions’ and ‘trades’ are euphemisms - the effect is the same as gambling and carries the same risk of harm and suicide consistent with any other form of gambling.”
