Lottery provider gives to MCPG
The Montana Council on Problem Gambling (MCPG) has received a $25,000 donation from Intralot, the state Lottery's services and equipment provider. The money will help start a family therapy segment of the council's treatment program.
“We've been so waiting for this,” Donna Johnson, executive director of the Council, said of the donation and resulting opportunity to start family therapy.
“More people than just the gambler are affected,” she said.
Treating both the gambler and the affected family, she added, should bring superior results.
Intralot has previously donated to MCPG, including a $25,000 donation initially in 2007.
“We're very, very excited to be working with the Council again this year,” said Byron Boothe, vice president of government relations for Intralot. “We want to continue that partnership. We believe in what they're doing.”
Mark Kennedy, president of the Council, said MCPG looks forward to continuing the relationship with lottery services company.
“We really appreciate Intralot participating in this process,” he said. “They're a good corporate citizen, and we're thankful for the donation.”
Johnson said MCPG is fortunate to have such great industry support. Main sponsors of MCPG are the Montana Tavern Association, Gaming Industry Association, Montana Coin Machine Operators Association and Town Pumps.
“Montana is just doing fantastic,” she said of the financial support the Council receives. “In this day and age of economic uncertainty, I feel so blessed to have this sort of support behind us.”
The Montana Council on Problem Gambling is a non-profit agency dedicated to alleviating gambling related social and personal distress through the provision of a toll-free confidential 24-hour help line and referral service to their outpatient treatment program. That number is 1-888-900-9979. It's listed in most yellow pages under the heading of Gambling. The Council's website is www.mtcpgambling.com.
The program has trained therapists in 22 Montana communities. MCPG program involves 34 treatment providers, and nearly 950 groups and 3,400 participants.
Seminar in August
The MCPG’s fall seminar will feature Tom Oberweiser, the Eastern District Supervisor for the Montana Department of Justice Gambling Control Division, Gambling Investigation Bureau. The session is sponsored by the Montana Tavern Association, Gaming Industry Association, Montana Coin Machine Operators Association and Town Pump.
Oberweiser has been a sworn law enforcement officer for 28 years and is an instructor in the areas of gambling and tobacco investigations and police ethics with an emphasis on organized sports bookmaking.
He serves on the Board of the Montana Council on Problem Gambling. He has been a football official for over 25 years.
Those who could benefit from attending the seminar include social workers, counselors, school administrators, teachers, prosecuting attorneys, probation and parole officers, white-collar detectives, vice unit agents, front line and traffic unit police officers.
The session is scheduled for the Best Western GranTree Inn, Bozeman, Friday, Aug. 20, 2010. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. followed by an 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p. m. presentation by Oberweiser with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m.
It continues Saturday, Aug. 21, with Oberweiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Council said 10 continuing education units (CEUs) are available for LCSW, LCPC and LAC. The total cost is $100; or Friday only for $60 and six CEUs or Saturday only for $50 with four CEUs. There is a $90 group discount for five or more. Check, money order or purchase order will be accepted. Exhibit opportunities are available.