Seizing Teachable Moments in Problem Gambling Prevention

What this webinar is….and isn’t• Is: a discussion of how and when to seize

teachable moments, when they arise, about problem gambling issues

• Isn’t: a discussion of the Lottery’s marketing strategies in general, nor the particular features of the ORCade website (although education/awareness activities that resulted from its publicity will be discussed)

The case for seizing the moment

• Problem gambling does not enjoy regular media coverage so we can’t miss out when it gets some attention

• You are the spokesperson

for this issue in your community

• Great opportunity to work with partners are available and ready to help: Voices of PG Recovery, GA, community groups

Crucial elements

• Response timely…in this day and age that means today or tomorrow!

• Information accurate

• Information nonbiased against gambling, just factual

• Complies with any approval/vetting process

Examples of teachable moments• When crimes make the

paper and a gambling problem is involved (embezzlement, theft)

• During major annual sports events: March Madness, Super Bowl, World Series, Civil War, Triple Crown

• school publicizes its participation in Scratch Off for Schools

• celebrity gambling issue hits the national news

• gambling industry hits the local, state or national news

More examples

• When the World Series of Poker winner is announced

• If gambling is used inappropriately as a fundraiser– Casino nights

• Local news about poker rooms, etc.

• Examples from your experiences?

Ways to respond• Press release• Letter to the editor/Op-Ed• Blog entry• Informational email• Request a meeting• Radio talk show• Presentation• Phone callWhich one(s) to use depends on time, resources,

context and goal

What’s the goal?• Crime in paper: pg prevalence; increase

awareness of free treatment • Sports events: pg prevalence, addiction potential

and availability of help• School scratch offs: youth gambling prevalence;

consider the message being sent; advocate for more education on pg in schools

• Casino night: youth gambling prevalence; consider alternatives and at least offer pg information; advocate for more education

Resources• Adult prevalence study

• Student Wellness Survey

• PGS Data Book

• Helpline website

• Prevention Coordinator’s website

• Local treatment providers

• AMH staff

• Voices of PG Recovery

Case example 1

Important! the State PGS office can’t take the lead when it comes to public criticism of the Lottery

The ORcade Teachable “Moment” Had Been a Long Time Coming

Starting with Santa: A Timeline1. November 2010:

• Blog, social media and website coverage

2. December 2010: • Call with Lottery marketing director

• Lottery responded with radio ads urging parents to not purchase lottery tickets for their children

• Problem Gambling Advisory Committee met, began discussing advertising practices

ORcade & Community Mobilization

• Throughout 2011, Problem Gambling Advisory Committee (PGAC) chair Ronda Hatefi worked to arrange meeting with the Governor

• September 15, 2011: We first met with the Governor’s DHS policy advisor, Duke Shepard

• October 2011: Oregonian ran two articles on ORcade, printed a guest editorial from Lottery

• October 2011: Mr. Shepard maintained communication about ORcade and other issues

ORcade & Community Mobilization

• October 18, 2011: Governor asked Lottery Commission to delay launch of ORcade

• October 15-25, 2011: Lane County staff spoke with Oregonian, radio news stations

• October 30, 2011: Our guest opinion appeared in Sunday commentary section of Register-Guard

Using media, social & otherwise: Facebook, web posts…

…Blogs, op-eds, emails, Twitter…just keep getting the

word out.

Case example 2• Newport News Times sponsored sports pool for

“betting” on high school, college, and pro games for prizes; age limit not specified

PG prevention coordinator requested meeting with the Editor to educate him; mtg included counselor and me; shared OHT data and counselor talked about the addiction; Editor was not aware of the problem

Resulted in a series on problem gambling in the paper

Case example 3: Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery

Creating teachable moments!

Sharing your own “news” also creates teachable moments

Other examples?

• Any examples from your local area/efforts of a “teachable moment” event/circumstance that led to discussion of gambling, and to which you responded?

Upcoming opportunity!

Template op-ed will be emailed after this webinar—please seize this teachable moment

Tailor it to your area

Tone is not “fun police” but people with gambling problems can be triggered by such events and help is available

Summary Suggestions• Keep this topic in the mix in your area—if

you don’t, no one else will• Watch the local paper for opportunities• http://www.dailyastorian.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gambling-industry-gets-a-sneaky-gift/article_6fd49a9e-356f-11

e1-89c7-001871e3ce6c.html

• Get on Google alerts http://www.google.com/alerts

• Have factsheets with local data readily available

• State can provide more “fill in the blank” templates if desired

Suggestions

1.       Build infrastructure:

• Start finding partners now to get gambling on the radar screen

• LADPC, local prevention coalitions  are great places to start, as is VPGR

• Find out who media contacts are, and what type of rules your organization may have

Suggestions

2.       Jump on those “teachable moments”

 

• They don’t come around often when it comes to problem gambling

• Weigh priorities, if time is of the essence, please consider clearing some time on your schedule for the issue at hand

Suggestions

3.       Keep it simple and on message

• Use data provided by PGS to help with talking points (lots of resources at the www.problemgamblingprevention.org site)

• If you get stuck, remember that problem gambling has many similarities with A&D prevention (risk factors, prevention strategies, etc.)

Thanks!

• For your time and attention and for what you do!

• CEU certificate must be requested by emailing wendy.hausotter@state.or.us

SEIZE AND CREATE TEACHABLE MOMENTS!