NCLGS Doubles Down on Responsible Gaming

Advertisements for sports betting apps, gaming sites and casinos are everywhere—across sports broadcasts, social media and podcasts. For young people, gambling is increasingly being normalized as entertainment and a part of social culture.

But behind the constant visibility is a growing mental health concern, especially for adolescents whose impulse control, emotional regulation and decision-making are still developing.

What message do these advertisements send to youth—especially those who cannot legally gamble yet? This is not simply a question of advertising or regulation. It’s a youth mental health and public health issue that demands greater scrutiny, stronger safeguards and earlier intervention.

Research continues to show the connection between gambling harm and anxiety, depression, isolation, financial stress and addictive behaviors. Preventing that harm before it starts will require honest conversations, informed policy and proactive education aimed at protecting young people during some of their most formative years.

Attendees at this year’s Summer Meeting of the National Conference of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) will confront this reality and have the chance to learn more about it.

Kim Freudenberg and her son Kurt Freudenberg will appear on a panel called “Protecting Youth: Responsible Gambling and the Risks of Underage Advertising” to discuss families’ experiences and why stronger protections are essential. Overseen by NCLGS’ Committee on Responsible Gambling, this panel is an opportunity to elevate education around youth gambling.

Kim Freudenberg founded the organization Parents Standing Together based on her experience with Kurt, who is in recovery from a gambling addiction that started in childhood. The organization focuses on educating parents and caregivers about gambling harm, mitigating risks and providing peer support to families navigating the emotional, financial and relationship challenges associated with problem gambling.

Kurt Freudenberg’s gambling began quietly through online games when he was 11 years old. Over the next decade, it escalated into online sports betting and crypto casinos. He flunked out of school twice and spent 10 months in rehab.

Families in similar situations often don’t recognize the warning signs right away. Once they do, finding resources and support can feel overwhelming.

Kim Freudenberg’s goal is to make sure other parents don’t have to navigate the situation alone or in the dark, as she once did. By sharing her family’s experience, she hopes to help others recognize the signs earlier, start conversations sooner, and find support faster.

Parents Standing Together also advocates for stronger protections for young people.

Gaming companies, regulators and legislators have worked to make underage gambling more difficult. While Kim Freudenberg acknowledges those safeguards, she says, “They’re clearly not strong enough, because kids are accessing it.”

Also appearing on this panel will be Marlene Warner and Kevin Winters. Warner is the CEO of the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. Her advocacy for player-health-focused legislation and regulation has helped make Massachusetts a model for jurisdictions seeking a strong safety net for players. She previously served as president and board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Winters is the co-founder and CEO of Almond Digital Health, which focuses on gambling behavior, decision-making and early support across the lifespan through scalable approaches that combine education, behavioral science, digital engagement and coordinated pathways to care. He brings more than two decades of experience in health care technology, behavioral health and public-sector innovation focused on expanding access to support.

As a parent, I notice how quickly the online landscape is changing, making it easier for gambling-like platforms to engage both my neurotypical and non-neurotypical children. This brings to light important mental health considerations, underscoring the need for more resources and research on youth gambling. Our panel will discuss this topic, focusing on its implications for mental well-being.

A second panel, “Driving Measurable Outcomes in Responsible Gambling: Land-Based and Online,” will investigate the steps operators are taking to support the mental health of vulnerable individuals. It will bring together operator leadership, lived-experience training and digital infrastructure to examine what drives measurable outcomes across both land-based and online environments. Panelists will share real-world data and implementation lessons on increasing engagement, improving early identification and encouraging help-seeking behavior throughout the player journey—not just at the point of crisis.

Panelists will include:

• Paul Buck, CEO, Epic Global Solutions

• Paul Pellizzari, Vice President, Global Social Responsibility, Hard Rock International

• Dr. Jen Shatley, Executive Director, Responsible Online Gaming Association

• Jessica Welman, Deputy Director, Campaign for Fairer Gambling

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, NCLGS is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets regularly to discuss gaming policy and regulation. NCLGS neither promotes nor opposes gaming, focusing instead on effective regulation of the industry.

At twice-yearly meetings, legislators from across the country gather to discuss industry trends, share experiences and learn what has—and has not—worked in other jurisdictions.

The NCLGS Summer Meeting, at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, July 8-11, offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers, regulators and industry leaders shaping the future of regulated gaming in the United States. For more information about NCLGS, the Summer Meeting agenda, or to register, go to nclgs.org.

Juliann Barreto is COO of Spectrum Gaming Group and Executive Director of NCLGS.