OAPGG Newsletter
Edition 58, October 2026
Words from Wiley
Greetings,
In the rapidly changing world of gambling opportunities, our work requires vigilance and diligence. Vigilance means to be focused and alert, to scan the environment and be aware of dangers, risks, and changes. Hopefully we are keeping up with the gambling landscape and its constantly evolving nature. Diligence means to work hard, with consistency and showing up to do our work. The work is to help those affected by gambling harm. The process of recovery—returning to a life of health and well-being—is not going to change. Our work remains the same no matter how the means to gamble and the names of gambling may change.
This fall is a very busy time with many training opportunities and outreach programs. Please note the many things that OAPGG has to offer, and follow us on social media.
Wiley
Wiley D. Harwell
Executive Director of OAPGG
Recovery Tools and Services
ProPublica Survey
ProPublica is conducting a survey to better understand whether responsible gambling tools used by apps like FanDuel and DraftKings really work.
If you feel comfortable doing so, please complete this survey or share it with your clients.
ProPublica has also created a browser extension that lets users upload their betting data to monitor when and how sports betting apps provide incentives to players.
Recover Her
Recover Her is a new support group that is open to women at any stage of recovery. The group is hosted by Christina Cook, IGRS, a lived-experience advocate and founder of The Broke Girl Society.
The group meets online every Thursday at 7:00 PM. Please email Christina (ccook@oapgg.org) for the Zoom link.
Evive Family & Friends
Evive now offers community support, educational content, and resources for family and friends of those with a gambling problem.
Trainings
Basic Training for Problem Gambling
OAPGG offers a 4-day, online training for problem gambling twice per year. The fall 2026 dates will be:
Day 1: October 9
Day 2: October 16
Day 3: November 6
Day 4: November 13
The training is free if you live in the MCGPSA region (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma). Use code MCPGSA when you register.
Participants will earn 30 CEUs and will be eligible to become certified problem gambling counselors after completing the training.
Online Training
OAPGG has recently moved its training videos to Thinkific for a more streamlined user experience.
All training videos are available to rent for 90 days.
Policy
OAPGG Partnership with Aristocrat
OAPGG announced an expanded partnership with Aristocrat on LinkedIn. Through Aristocrat’s investment, OAPGG will strengthen its work in awareness, prevention, and support for gambling-related harm.
Outreach
Evive Live Interviews
Wiley and Ronnie have recently been interviewed on the Evive Live podcast.
Wiley describes how he built up OAPGG, beginning when Oklahoma had zero Gamblers Anonymous meetings and no certified gambling counselors.
Ronnie talks about his history with addiction and how twenty years of recovery eventually led him to become the Associate Director of OAPGG.
KOCO-5 Interview
While the debate around the legality of prediction markets to offer sports bets continues, OAPGG will continue to advocate for regulation and gambling safety.