Heather Maurer resigned as the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) following the departure of several member agencies over the organization’s partnership with Kalshi.
Maurer will remain in the role until Oct. 16 to assist with the transition, according to Saturday‘s announcement from the NCPG Board of Directors. A search for a replacement is underway.
“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 Board President Derek Longmeier. “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.”
Predictions are ‘functionally gambling’
Last week, a memo attributed to Longmeier called predictions “functionally gambling,” regardless of how they are legally identified.
“People are experiencing real financial, emotional, and relationship consequences as a result of prediction markets,” Longmeier said. “The harm is not theoretical, and we cannot wait to act.
“NCPG exists not to litigate whether prediction markets or other emerging activities meet a legal definition of gambling, but to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm wherever it occurs.”
Four months of fallout for NCPG
The NCPG announced Kalshi as the first member of its Financial Services & Trading Category on May 18. The platinum-level member also pledged a $2 million donation over two years to “support a strategic initiative focused on trader health and safety.”
It did not take long for members to push back on the new program. Less than a month later, the NCPG said it had received questions following the Kalshi announcement. The letter, signed by Longmeier and Maurer, reiterated the organization’s neutrality to the legal standing of products as it focusses on harm reduction.
On June 26, the Ohio Casino Control Commission quietly ended its membership with the NCPG. Interim Executive Director Andromeda Morrison noted the commission’s need to make sure it is not associated with anyone linked to illegal gambling.
Three days later, the NCPG issued another memo, stating that membership does “not equal endorsement.” Both Longmeier and Maurer signed off on the letter.
Public pullout from NCPG began in July
The following week, the Michigan Gaming Control Board became the first to publicly say it was leaving the NCPG. The next public exit came in mid-August when the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling ended its membership. The NVCPG wanted to pause its membership in June, but that request was denied, according to the Nevada Current.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission could be next. Commissioners noted at their Sept. 10 meeting that membership with the NCPG may no longer reflect the commission’s values.
Other organizations are no longer listed as members when compared to a version of the list from May 13 available through the Internet Archive. Notable organizations include Birches Health and the Louisiana Department of Justice Problem Gambling Resource Services.
Action against Kalshi links leavers
There were signs that members representing Michigan, Nevada and Ohio might take issue with Kalshi’s addition to the group.
Michigan and Nevada both won injunctions against Kalshi to keep their sports contracts out of those states while the legality of prediction markets plays out in the courts.
In April, the OCCC fined Kalshi $5 million for offering illegal gambling in the state.
The MGC leaving would continue the trend. The state’s attorney general has been wrapped up in court against Kalshi for months.
