Problem Gambling Advocates exists because the people doing this work — councils, providers, colleges, corrections systems — deserve a national-caliber partner who moves quickly, delivers real programs, and meets them on their actual budget.
Problem Gambling Advocates is the operational arm that works alongside state Councils on Problem Gambling, treatment providers, colleges, and departments of corrections. Where clinical systems do the essential work of assessment and treatment, we fill the gaps that only peer-led, community-based, lived-experience programming can fill — and we bring the marketing, outreach, and infrastructure to make those programs actually reach the people who need them.
We're founder-led, with a trusted national network of collaborators, contractors, and partner organizations. That structure is intentional. It keeps us fast, keeps overhead low, and lets us pass that savings on to partners who don't have enterprise budgets.
Before problem gambling took over my life, I had built a successful career. The story of how it unraveled — and how I ended up incarcerated as a direct result of my addiction — is one I share openly now because I believe it has to be heard.
Too many people in the criminal justice system are there because of an undiagnosed, untreated gambling disorder. Too few of them are ever offered a real path out. Since my own recovery began, I've dedicated my life's work to building that path for others.
For the past five years I've been embedded in the problem gambling field. I currently serve as President of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling and work with Waypost Counseling to build what's becoming the leading recovery program in the country. I'm recognized nationally as a leader in peer recovery support, and I'm a Certified Peer Recovery Coach with several additional designations.
But the credential that matters most is the lived experience that lets me sit across from someone — a person in crisis, a family member, a corrections administrator, a council director — and say honestly, "I've been there. Here's what works."
That's why I founded Problem Gambling Advocates. The councils, providers, colleges, and corrections systems doing this work deserve a partner who can move quickly, deliver real programs, and meet them at a price point they can actually afford. We're founder-led with a national network of trusted collaborators — and I'd rather be honest about that than pretend to be something we're not.
Schedule a call with me or email me directly: jeff@problemgamblingadvocates.org
Four principles guide every engagement, whether it's a single campaign or a multi-year program build.
Programs are designed and delivered with people who have walked the road. That changes outcomes — and changes how partners are perceived by the people they're trying to reach.
We don't parachute in. We co-design with councils, providers, and institutions that already know their communities.
National-caliber work scaled to grant-funded budgets and small-org realities. Tell us what you can spend; we'll tell you what we can build.
Reporting and outcome tracking built in from day one, so partners can demonstrate impact to funders and boards.
We don't publicly name every partner — many engagements involve sensitive populations or are still in active grant cycles. Here's the shape of recent work.
Multi-year peer recovery program design and ongoing operational support.
Campus-wide problem gambling education, screening pathway, and student peer support.
Pre/post-release problem gambling screening and reentry-aligned peer support.
Building out the leading recovery program in the country, end to end.
A 20-minute conversation is the fastest way to figure out if there's a fit — and what it might cost.
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