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OAPGG
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The Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming (OAPGG) provides awareness, education, prevention, and treatment for problem gambling and gaming in Oklahoma.
www.oapgg.org
Prediction market apps don't want to be seen as gambling. This has meant less access to problem gambling resources within the apps.

www.sportico.com/business/spo...
Sportsbooks Prioritize Business Over Addiction Tools in New Apps
DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel said they cared about combatting addiction. Yet they've shifted their standards for business reasons.
www.sportico.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Under new legislation, only 90% of gambling losses can be deducted against wins.
This year, even more Oklahomans may notice that gambling isn't as profitable as they thought.
www.covers.com/industry/gam...
Senator's Opposition Could Hurt Gambling Tax Deduction Bill
Resistance threatens bipartisan efforts to restore full gambling loss tax deductions and could keep higher taxes in place for gamblers.
www.covers.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Gambling has significantly expanded through prediction markets, and with that expansion comes many ethical concerns.

www.npr.org/2025/12/14/n...
On online prediction markets, people place bets on the outcomes of real-life wars
Online prediction markets are allowing people to place bets on the outcomes of real-life wars. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to reporter Matthew Gault about the rise of the practice and its consequences.
www.npr.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"Mental health clinicians who work with young people are seeing signs the problem is growing. They see young people who idolize these streamers and think that this is going to be their future." www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: How Crypto Casinos Lure in Young Gamblers
Crypto casinos, websites where people use cryptocurrencies in online games, are leaving some teenagers thousands of dollars in debt. Neil Bedi, a reporter on our Visual Investigations team, looks at t...
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Prediction markets launch coalition amid sports betting fight
www.axios.com/2025/12/11/c...
EXCLUSIVE: Prediction markets launch coalition amid sports betting fight
Several major prediction markets are forming a coalition to promote and defend their political interests amid a growing fight over sports betting, Axios has learned.
www.axios.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
“A gambling diagnosis was a stronger predictor of suicide than other mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia or alcohol use – indicating gambling disorder poses a unique risk."

www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office...
Study reveals people with gambling disorder more likely to die by suicide
People diagnosed with a gambling disorder are significantly more likely to die by suicide, according to new research led by Swansea University – marking a major step forward in understanding gambling-...
www.swansea.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
There was no mention of gambling disorder in yesterday's sports betting study group, except for an outdated 1% national prevalence rate.

The truth: nearly 1 in 3 (29.8%) Oklahomans are struggling or at-risk.

oklahoman.com/story/news/p...
oklahoman.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
State regulations for gambling are limited, and there are no regulations for gambling activity in free-to-play games and prediction markets.

At a minimum, we need more awareness about the risks of these activities. Even better: national policy + funding.

www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As sports betting explodes, should states set more limits to stop gambling addiction?
With concerns about addiction rising, some advocates and lawmakers call for federal regulations on the gambling industry — but would settle for more state laws to help curb excessive betting.
www.npr.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Kalshi plans to incorporate prop bets and parlays into its offerings, and sports books are looking into event contracts.

Meanwhile, prediction markets are chipping away at gambling safety measures.

www.fastcompany.com/91399289/kal...
Kalshi found a backdoor to sports gambling, and is throwing it open to everyone
The prediction market now offers something that looks a lot like online sports betting to 18 year olds and states where it’s currently illegal.
www.fastcompany.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Gambling disorder has one of the highest rates of suicidal thinking and attempts of any disorder.

In Oklahoma, 23% of people with gambling disorder have attempted suicide.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=caxL...
Gambling exec: comparisons to substance addiction 'abhorrent'
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Gaming disorder and other mental health issues often create a "downward spiral."

For parents wanting to help their kids, simply taking away video games won't work--the underlying mental health issues must also be addressed.

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/video-g...
Video game addiction in teens likely stems from preexisting mental health issues
Teens who have depressive symptoms and social issues are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of problematic gaming.
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
September 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Gambling disorder often comes with co-occurring disorders, like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder.

Cuts to mental health programs will affect those with gambling disorder as well.
As the agency tries to get back on track financially, the #Oklahoma Department of #MentalHealth and Substance Abuse Services aims to end 300-plus contracts starting Oct. 1, a move that caught some #okleg members and providers alike off guard.

nondoc.com/2025/09/03/o...
Decision to end 300 mental health contracts will 'directly affect thousands' in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services could cut 312 contracts by Oct. 1, 2025, catching lawmakers off guard.
nondoc.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
AI could give casinos more opportunities to track customer behavior and offer personalized incentives to keep them playing.

This technology would be better used for noticing distress in customers who are experiencing harms from gambling.

gamblingharm.org/the-creepy-n...
The Creepy New AI Reason To Avoid Casinos
Explore how AI in casinos is revolutionizing gambling with emotion-tracking technology to maximize player losses and cause harm.
gamblingharm.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
You know sports betting is out of control when...

Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series apnews.com/article/litt...
Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series
At least a couple of offshore bookmakers are offering odds on games at the Little League World Series. Team managers, and Little League itself, are not pleased.
apnews.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The blind box craze around Labubus is similar to gambling--people are spending their money on something with an uncertain outcome and are experiencing similar harms.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘My buyer’s guilt is insane. It’s $1,300 on trash’: the adults addicted to blind box toys like Labubus
Grownups get thrills from opening these collectibles they buy without knowing what they’re getting – but experts warn the craze is akin to gambling
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Gambling on overseas military bases puts soldiers and their families at risk. More education and prevention is needed.

www.wired.com/story/us-mil...
The US Military Is Raking in Millions From On-Base Slot Machines
The Defense Department operates slot machines on US military bases overseas, raising tens of millions of dollars to fund recreation for troops—and creating risks for soldiers prone to gambling addicti...
www.wired.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Sports betting carries many risks--not just financial ones. Whether John Mateer placed any bets, just the mention of sports betting has put his college career at risk.

www.oklahoman.com/story/sports...
John Mateer 'never bet on sports.' OU football star calls Venmo payments 'inside jokes.'
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer released a statement Tuesday afternoon, calling allegations of gambling "false."
www.oklahoman.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Oklahoma has joined 50 other states and US territories to combat illegal offshore gambling.

okcfox.com/news/local/o...
Oklahoma joins coalition to combat illegal offshore gaming
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and other states are asking the U.S. Department of Justice to address illegal offshore gaming.
okcfox.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
“Imagine being a gambling addict and always having a slot machine in your pocket except you also need that slot machine to stay in touch with friends/family, to get jobs and contact coworkers, for banking, for navigation.”
www.afterbabel.com/p/smartphone...
Smartphone Gambling is a Disaster
We aren’t meant to have a casino in our pockets
www.afterbabel.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“One reason people betting on sports say they do it is 'to make extra money'—an answer given by 2/3 of them. in fact, nearly 1/3 of them say they view gambling as an 'investment.'

Folks, that’s like saying you view tequila as a 'hydration strategy.'”

www.kiteandkeymedia.com/videos/onlin...
Has Sports Betting Gotten Out of Control?
Online sports gambling has been a massive financial success — with huge social ramifications.
www.kiteandkeymedia.com
July 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
We attended the national conference on problem gambling in Ohio last week. It's a great way to work with partners across the nation to prevent problem gambling.

Nearly 1 in 3 Oklahomans are at-risk for a gambling problem.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P4E...
Conference on problem gambling held in Columbus
YouTube video by NBC4 Columbus
www.youtube.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A major tribal gaming convention in Oklahoma City looked at the future of games in the state this week.

OAPGG also attended to make sure that responsible gambling was part of the conversation.

www.fox23.com/news/video-i... via @FOX23
Video: In Depth: A major tribal gaming convention in Oklahoma City looks at the future of games in the state
In Oklahoma City, a major tribal gaming convention is underway.
www.fox23.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A new tax provision limits deductions for gambling losses to 90%. This means for those who break even, they will pay taxes as though they won.

It's more important than ever to track your spending. We have tools on our website for that.

www.fox23.com/news/in-dept...
In Depth: New gambling tax will hit you in both Las Vegas and Oklahoma tribal casinos
The Nevada Congressional delegation and professional gamblers have taken to social media and the halls of Congress to sound the alarm on what they say is an ugly tax provision tucked away inside 'The ...
www.fox23.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
In another sign of the ongoing popularity of memecoins, a platform that lets people create their own highly-speculative tokens raised $600 million within 12 minutes on Saturday.

The line between gambling and investing in crypto continues to blur.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Memecoin Platform Pump.fun Raises $600 Million Within 12 Minutes
In another sign of the ongoing popularity of memecoins, a platform that lets people create their own highly-speculative tokens raised $600 million within 12 minutes on Saturday.
www.bloomberg.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM