Press and Updates
September is now Responsible Gaming Education Month. Here’s six ways to support safe, healthy play year-round.
For 40 years, The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) has focused on reducing the impacts of gambling disorder and advocating for responsible gambling practices. This year, in partnership with the MA Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor,...
Fighting the urges. Donna’s story.
In our new Tell Your Story series, we’ll be featuring stories of those who have experienced or have been impacted by problem gambling. Trigger warning: Suicide Fighting the urges. Donna’s story. You learn how to lie well when you struggle with gambling. Until you...
Joining the journey. Will’s story.
In our new Tell Your Story series, we’ll be featuring stories of those who have experienced or have been impacted by problem gambling. Joining the journey. Will’s story. To my 10-year-old eyes, Foxwoods Resort Casino was majestic. I remember visiting after it opened....
SportsHandle: For Responsible Gambling Advocates, College Is Tough To Get Into
For Responsible Gambling Advocates, College Is Tough to Get Into Former sports betting addict has made it his mission to reach an elusive demographic. By Mike Seely Patrick Chester attended his first University of Washington football game at the age of 5. When he was...
WPKZ 105.3 FM/1280 AM Fitchburg: Marlene Warner on The Sherman Show
WPKZ 105.3 FM/1280 AM Fitchburg: Marlene Warner on The Sherman Show Executive Director Marlene Warner spoke to Sherman Whitman on The K-Zone 106.3 FM/1280 AM Fitchburg on the consumer protections in place for casino patrons – and how sports betting can adopt similar...
The Salem News: Salem advocate honored for work in problem gambling
Salem advocate honored for work in problem gambling Boston, MA — Marlene Warner, a 20-year resident of Salem, Massachusetts, received the Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy at the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) 36th Annual Conference...
GBH Greater Boston: How will sport betting work in Massachusetts? (VIDEO)
How will sports betting work in Massachusetts? By Alexi Cohan Sports fans across Massachusetts are gearing up to place bets on their favorite teams and players after the recent passage of a sports betting bill. The bill is still sitting with Gov. Charlie Baker, but...
CBS Boston: Massachusetts sports gambling bill awaits Gov. Baker’s signature (VIDEO)
Massachusetts sports gambling bill awaits Gov. Baker's signature. GameSense MA Supervisor Ray Fluette was interviewed by CBS Boston's Louisa Moller on the potential increased demand for support services with the pending legalization of sports betting.
NBC 10 Boston: Sports Betting Nears Legalization in Mass. (VIDEO)
NBC 10 Boston: Sports Betting Nears Legalization in Mass. "I always say that no bookie has ever called me in need of help for their patrons. And now, we will have an opportunity to help those folks." Check out MACGH Executive Director Marlene Warner's interview with...
Boston Herald: Place your bets! Sports betting passes, heads to governor’s desk
Boston Herald: Place your bets! Sports betting passes, heads to governor's desk By Matthew Medsger It’s a good day for gambling in Massachusetts. “I’m incredibly proud that today, and after years of House-led efforts to authorize legal sports wagering in...
GBH: ‘All eyes in the sports-betting business’ on Massachusetts as lawmakers seek compromise bill
'All eyes in the sports-betting business' on Massachusetts as lawmakers seek compromise bill By Craig LeMoult July 26, 2022 As Massachusetts legislators face a looming deadline and work behind closed doors to overcome significant differences on a bill that would...
VICE Waypoint: ‘Diablo Immortal’ Shows Self-Regulation Is a Failure in the Games Industry
“We don’t practice in the U.S. this precautionary principle. We don't have a history of regulatory bodies being proactive when it comes to public health risks." - MACGH Director of Communications and Marketing Phil Sherwood on the dangers of loot boxes. 'Diablo...
Discovering the invisible. Renée’s story.
In our new Tell Your Story series, we’ll be featuring stories of those who have experienced or have been impacted by problem gambling. Discovering the invisible. Read Renée’s story. One of the first red flags arrived in a giant box. I remember coming home from work,...
Coming full circle. Diane’s story.
In our new Tell Your Story series, we'll be featuring stories of those who have experienced or have been impacted by problem gambling. Coming full circle. Here’s Diane’s story. Gambling took me to hell and back. This statement isn’t an exaggeration. Problem gambling...
Bottoming out for good. Scott’s story.
In our new Tell Your Story series, we'll be featuring stories of those who have experienced or have been impacted by problem gambling. Bottoming out for good. Here’s Scott’s story. If you’ve ever been to Atlantic City, you know it’s an exciting place. High-rise...
For some casino patrons, Voluntary Self-Exclusions are the real home run.
For some casino patrons, Voluntary Self-Exclusions are the real home run. Knowing our limits is part of maintaining a safe, healthy lifestyle. It’s what naturally encourages our bodies and minds to crave breaks. Whether powering off our laptop after a few hours of...
WWLP Springfield: MGM Springfield Play-My-Way program sets gamers budget
MGM Springfield Play-My-Way program sets gamers budget SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – MGM Springfield is teaming up with the state’s Gaming Commission to curb the negative impacts of gambling on residents in the city. They’ve announced a new program called Play-My-Way,...
Boston Business Journal: Don’t fumble a chance to discuss gambling addiction
Don’t fumble your opportunity to discuss gambling addiction As parents and guardians, we want to protect our children from life’s many risks. This instinct spurs us to have coming-of-age conversations about risky behaviors: drinking, vaping, and drug use. We take a...
Boston 25 News: How soon before sports betting becomes legal in Mass?
How soon before sports betting becomes legal in Mass? By Wale Aliyu FOXBORO, Mass. — New England sports betting fans have a couple of different gripes. One, they wanted the AFC Championship game to be played at Gillette. Two, it’s still illegal in Massachusetts. While...
The Sun Chronicle: More than 1,000 opt out of gambling at Plainridge, across state
More than 1,000 opt out of gambling at Plainridge, across state By Tom Reilly PLAINVILLE — More than 1,000 residents have opted out of playing at any of the state’s casinos, but that’s only a fraction of those who may have a gambling problem, officials say. The state...
WWLP Springfield: More than 1,000 people have sworn off gambling in Massachusetts
WWLP Springfield: More than 1,000 people have sworn off gambling in Massachusetts By Don Shipman SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – More than 1,000 people have sworn off gambling at Massachusetts casinos, including MGM Springfield. The state gaming commission says they’ve...
October 2021
Read our September 2021 Newsletter.
September 2021
Read our September 2021 Newsletter.
Press Release: Video Game Addiction Training Launched
Boston, MA—The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (Mass. Council) strongly urges Governor Charlie Baker and the Mass. State Legislature to include safeguards in any sports gambling legislation against the potential negative consequences that may result.
July 2021
Read our July 2021 Newsletter.