NCPG Appoints New GR Manager
The national advocate group for comprehensive policy advocating for problem gamblers, The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), has announced that Cole Wogoman has been appointed as the organization’s latest government relations manager. Wogoman will push for stronger problem gambling and responsible gambling measures across all branches of government.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has announced that Cole Wogoman is the organization’s latest government relations manager. ©12019/Pixabay
What is the National Council on Problem Gambling?
The United States’ National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has stepped out and announced that Cole Wogoman has been appointed as the group’s latest government relations manager.
Wogoman’s role will see the licensed attorney advocate and lobby for stronger problem gambling and responsible gambling measures across all local, state, and federal governments.
For those unaware, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is a federal government body in the US whose aim is to guide state and national stakeholders in creating comprehensive policy and initiatives to support all those affected by the pitfalls associated with problem gambling — both the gamblers themselves, and their families.
Its ultimate vision is to improve American society’s health and wellness by minimizing the personal, social and economic costs caused by problem gambling. The National Council takes a curious and neutral position on legalized, regulated gambling: it is neither for nor against legalized gambling.
The NCPG is built up by 3 classes of members: state affiliate, corporate and individual. The NCPG itself focuses its efforts on the national level, while its state affiliates work at the state and local level.
Wogoman Served as Legislative Counsel for D.C. Councilmember
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), stressed that the organization is constantly trying to gain more federal support for its programs, which is precisely where someone like Wogoman steps in:
“NCPG has a unique role as the national advocate for programs and services to assist people with gambling problems and their families. A major focus of ours is to gain Federal support for problem gambling programs by working with all stakeholders on regulation, advocacy, and health policy and legislation. We are confident that Cole brings the experience and strategic thinking to excel in this exciting challenge.”– Keith Whyte, Executive Director, National Council on Problem Gambling
A little on Cole Wogoman’s background: he is currently a licensed attorney practicing in the District of Columbia and previously served as legislative counsel for D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh. During his time with Cheh, Wogoman provided her with legal counsel concerning sports gambling, transportation, and other issues. Before he joined the public sector, Wogoman worked as an associate at the law firm of Willkie Farr and Gallagher.
Wogoman expressed excitement at joining the NCPG during an active and changing time for legalized gambling across the nation:
“I am excited to join NCPG during this time of rapid gambling expansion across America. While NCPG and its affiliates push local and state government officials to enact robust problem gambling and responsible gambling policies, it’s way past time for federal officials to lend their resources and research capabilities to help those affected by problem gambling. I look forward to making progress on these important issues.”– Cole Wogoman, Government Relations Manager, National Council on Problem Gambling
Wogoman’s tasks will include educating and advising policy makers to better tackle the issue of problem gambling. He will also work with the NCPG’s board of directors, state affiliates, and organization members to further solutions that raise awareness of the issues surrounding problem gambling and gambling addiction.
Pennsylvania Regulator Doled Out Fines in October
In other regulatory news, Pennsylvania’s state gambling regulator, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), came out and fined Parx Casino operator Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment $10,000 in October 2021 for allowing underage gaming on its gaming floor.
The casino violated the state of Pennsylvania’s underage gaming laws after it allowed an 18-year old to step onto the Buck County casino’s gaming floor and gamble using its slot machines. The state’s Gaming Act strictly prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from entering and remaining in a licensed gambling facility where slot machines are being operated.
It was also brought to the PGCB’s attention that parents were leaving their children completely unattended in cars in casino parking lots around the state in order to be able to enter and play in said casino.
The regulator ended up sanctioning the parents in three such cases, placing them on its Involuntary Exclusion List, which prohibits individuals from entering and gambling at all Pennsylvania casinos. The parents may also face criminal charges.
The PGCB took the opportunity to remind parents not to leave their children unattended in casino parking lots:
“The board is reminding the gambling public to not leave children unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venue at a casino, not only because of the possible exclusion from all Pennsylvania casinos and prosecution, but more importantly due to the possible safety hazard to the child.”
PGCB Appointed New Chair in July 2021
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) also experienced some change in staff and management this year, having appointed Denise Smyler as its new chair in July 2021 after its previous chair, David Barasch, announced his retirement.
Smyler officially joined the board in 2019 following a position working as the General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, during which she provided legal services to the state’s governor and the governor’s staff, as well as an additional 30 executive brand and independent agencies.
As a result, Pennsylvania’s Governor, Tom Wolf, appointed Smyler as the new chair of the PGCB, taking over from Barasch, who had previously served as the board’s leader for six years.
