OAPGG Newsletter
Edition 53, July 2025
Words from Wiley
Greetings,
This time of year is a blur with conferences and speaking engagements. June 18-20 was the Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse in Kansas City. The speakers were excellent and the conference a great success. Ten people from Oklahoma registered, and OAPGG gives registration scholarship to any Oklahoma counselor that wishes to attend.
On June 6, I conducted a three-hour workshop about using the group workbook with gambling disorder clients. I hope to offer this workshop annually.
July is always the NCPG conference, and this year it is Columbus, Ohio. I was recently elected to another three-year term as a board member of NCPG, which begins my tenth year as a board member. NCPG is searching for a new executive director, so there is much work to be done, and I look forward to this new beginning.
The Evive app for mobile phones has been live for six months, with downloads and daily usage exceeding expectations. In May, I and Evive founder Sam DeMello did a presentation for counselors on how to use the app with gambling disorder clients. Please see below for more information on Evive and how to share it with your clients.
In March and April, the staff distributed new brochures, posters, and door stickers to every tribe in Oklahoma. The new materials promote the problem gambling helpline (1-800-GAMBLER, text at 800-GAM, and chat at 1800GAMBLERchat.org), along with the QR code for the Evive app. This is the first time that every tribe in Oklahoma has agreed to use our materials and use our employee orientation film for responsible gambling.
FY2025 has been a monumental year for programs and expansion in services and outreach. Everything we do is to help those who develop a gambling problem. Thanks for being a part of our journey.
Wiley
Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPGG
Help and Resources
Helpline
The text and chat features of the helpline are now live. New materials have been shared with casinos around the state.
Evive
Evive helps people redefine their relationship with gambling, and it's free to all Oklahomans. Users can pathways that help them quit gambling or gamble more safely. The app features daily check-ins, goal setting, lessons, and community support.
If you are a clinician, watch our free training video and earn 1 CEU.
Along with increasing downloads, Oklahoma is also seeing increased active use of the app.
Evive can be downloaded at www.getevive.com.
Social Media
OAPGG's seasonal paid advertising has focused on taxes and horse racing.
Engagement on social media is strong, with requests for self-help booklets and referrals to outpatient treatment.
Training
Basic Training for Problem Gambling
Build your awareness and skills in this growing but often overlooked area of mental health.
Dates: October 17 and 24 and November 14 and 21
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Registration is free for those in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. Use the code MCPGSA for the discount.
OAPGG recorded a training on using Evive with clients, hosted by Evive founder Sam DeMello. The training is free, and you will earn 1 CEU.
Tribal Advisory Board
OAPGG hosted its first tribal advisory board meeting in May. The meeting focused on reviewing OAPGG current projects and opening the discussion for future work. If you have suggestions for future OAPGG projects, please simply reply to this email.
OAPGG’s Recent Activities
Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse
OAPGG helped host the 22nd annual Midwest Conference on Substance Abuse Services in Kansas City, June 18-20.