Within the growing landscape of available gambling opportunities, there stems a need not just to prepare clinicians to treat this increasing disorder but to work more closely with communities to prevent it. That is why the UCSSW has also created the Problem Gambling Coalition of Southwest Ohio. The coalition was formed in response to a rising need for increased gambling prevention and treatment resources in southwest Ohio. Dr. Gregory Stewart, Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work and Vice Chair of Communications for the coalition has said the objectives for the coalition are robust, but clear: “Our comprehensive objectives encompass increasing public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment, and recovery services, motivating healthcare providers to incorporate problem gambling screening into client assessments, and equipping practicing Social Workers to provide problem gambling prevention and treatment services. We’re also dedicated to preparing Social Work students for supervised delivery of these crucial services, facilitating BSW and MSW students in acquiring prevention credentials, focusing on problem gambling, suicide prevention, substance misuse prevention, and domestic violence prevention.” Members of the Division of Problem Gambling Services at OCCC participate in the coalition to provide regulatory and legislative updates and a broader view of statewide needs and resources.
Through the collaboration with ORG and PGNO, the community coalition members and students and faculty from the School of Social Work have had the opportunity to visit regional gaming venues including Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, Miami Valley Gaming, and Belterra Park Cincinnati to learn about the properties responsible gaming policies and practices, share strategies on promoting these practices, and create local connections to prevention and treatment services. Dr. Stewart hopes that the continued work of coalitions like his and collaborations between communities, the professional workforce, and gambling operators will change the narrative around an “us vs. them” mentality, “Vendors have a responsibility for responsible gambling, and we have been welcomed in coming into the facilities and collaborating on solutions and providing resource materials for addiction and prevention. I think having us as part of the discussion, it’s a win-win for the operators providing gambling and the communities in which they operate.”
Through workforce development of UC School of Social Work alumni, faculty and students, and engagement with community members and professionals across the region, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, along with ORG partners, hopes to expand gambling disorder awareness, prevention education and treatment across Southwest Ohio; including but not limited to Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Hamilton, Highland, Lawrence, Miami, Pike, Preble, Scioto, and Warren counties, all of which have representation within this work.
Michael A. Buzzelli, MA, MPH, is OCPS Director of Problem Gambling Services Ohio Casino Control Commission.
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