Edition 57, July 2026

Words from Wiley

Greetings,

It cannot be said enough that the world of gambling is changing rapidly. The past two years has brought more opportunity to gamble than any other time in history. The pace of change is only possible through the mode of digital platforms and the worldwide use of cell phones.

OAPGG believes that prediction markets and daily fantasy sports betting are by definition and function forms of gambling. Those participating in these activities can develop the criteria of gambling disorder just as they could from the more traditional forms of gambling at casinos or sports betting. The problem is that prediction markets and social casinos are operating across the nation and not with the guidelines of state law or tribal compacts and exclusivity rights. Please see the official statement in this newsletter.

The July newsletter always arrives just after the MCPGSA conference in Kansas City and before the NCPG conference, which is in Nashville this year. The Midwest conference was very successful with good attendance numbers and great speakers. The NCPG conference will likely have record numbers of attendees due to the destination and popularity of Nashville, TN.

This year ends in June with a “provider portal” soon to be added to Evive’s suite of resources for Oklahoma. This will enable our clinical providers to review the content of the app and to work with clients who find the app helpful. In the coming months, clinical providers will be given trainings to learn more about Evive and how to use the app and its resources as a clinician.

No matter the pace of change in the world of gambling, our mission to help those with a gambling disorder remains the same. We will double our efforts to promote responsible gambling and to help those who develop a problem. One aspect of this effort is to help family members or affected others. Through Evive, affected others can participate in an online community and seek support.

No doubt that this coming year will also see another iteration of a sports betting bill. For the fifth year in a row, OAPGG will produce a sports betting white paper, and it will be mailed to all Oklahoma legislators. It is our hope that language in such bills will support better and more comprehensive responsible gambling measures such as requiring sports books to participate in the OAPGG voluntary self-exclusion program. Of course, we will advocate for more money for ODMHSAS to treat those that develop a gambling disorder.

Wiley

Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPGG