NCPG May Be Looking into New Director Following Kalshi Donation, Controversy
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is holding its own, arguing that it is focused on addressing harm, no matter where it occurs – prediction markets included – but that the organization will not concern itself with matters of legality. Once again, this remark has to do with the fact th…
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is holding its own, arguing that it is focused on addressing harm, no matter where it occurs – prediction markets included – but that the organization will not concern itself with matters of legality. Once again, this remark has to do with the fact that gaming regulators have pulled out their support for the NCPG following a donation by prediction market platform Kalshi to advance responsible gambling research. While outwardly defending the decision, the NCPG may be looking for a new director to replace the incumbent, Heather Maurer, following recent events. NCPG May Be Hunting for a New Director This is according to a source close to the organization who spoke to GamblingHarm.org on condition of anonymity. Multiple state gaming regulators, including in places such as Nevada and Michigan, have withdrawn their support from the NCPG, arguing that accepting $2 million from Kalshi was counterintuitive to what the organization was trying to do. For its part, the NCPG argued that the money would be used to advance understanding of how prediction markets inflict harm – and to address this harm. The NCPG and specifically Maurer did not defend the vertical, but once again reiterated that it would not be investing itself in the debate whether these products were “legal” and under what specific conditions. However, since accepting the donation, the NCPG has exhibited signs of turmoil, including the resignation of its former director of programs, Jaime Costello, who took to LinkedIn and felt the need to dispel rumors that the resignation may be in any way related to the Kalshi donation. People Continue to Leave NCPG After Kalshi Controversy In the meantime, Richard Schuetz, who used to be a Las Vegas casino executive, was removed from his position on NCPG’s advisory board. In a statement, he said: “Keith Whyte appointed me to the National Council on Problem Gambling Board of Advisors. No one notified me, but apparently I am no longer on the Board of Advisors. Kind of an honor to be fired by this group.” However, Schuetz also has an anti-prediction market streak, paired with a firm opposition to online gambling and its further expansion. The appointment of a new director for the NCPG leaves the question of what the organizaiton is going to focus on next, and whether prediction market critics are being weeded out.