National Council on Problem Gambling Announces Recipients of 2026 National Awards

Washington, DC (July 24, 202) – The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is honored to announce the recipients of the 2026 National Awards. Each year, NCPG honors individuals and organizations from across the country and around the world for their work in the problem gambling and responsible gambling field. The awards ceremony took place on Friday, July 24, in Nashville, Tennessee, during the NCPG Annual Conference 2026.

2026 NCPG National Awards Recipients:

• Monsignor Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy & Awareness: Connie Jones, Director of Responsible Gaming, AGEM

• Robert Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service: Craig Johnson, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Club Recovery

• Lifetime Award for Research: David Hodgins, Professor, University of Calgary

• Corporate Social Responsibility Award: San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission

• Jeffrey M. Beck Recovery Ambassador Award: Bea Aikens

• Service Award: Joshua Kirschner, Partner, Holland & Knight

• Joanna Franklin Award for Direct Service: Lisa Vig-Johnson, Program Director, Problem Gambling Treatment and Recovery Services of the North Dakota Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division

• Jim Wuelfing Award for Prevention: YMCA of Greater Toronto

• Don Feeney Award for Responsible Gambling Excellence: Sarah Taylor, Executive Director, Hoosier Lottery

• Don Hulen Award for Advocacy & Awareness: Duncan Garvie, CEO, BetBlocker

• Denise Phillips Culturally Responsive Community Outreach: Davina Mena, Tribal Liaison, Arizona Division of Problem Gambling

• Media Award: Rocky Mountain PBS for “Cash Out: The Rise of Sports Betting in Colorado” by Alexis Kikoen

• Affiliate Public Awareness Award: Illinois Council on Problem Gambling for the “Are You Really Winning?” Campaign

• Corporate Public Awareness Award: Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) for the “Know Your Play” Initiative

• Corporate Culturally Responsive Communications Award: Omni Institute for the “Beyond the Bet Campaign” presented in English, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.

• Affiliate Awareness Campaign Impact Award: Illinois Council on Problem Gambling for the “Think Before You Gift” Campaign

• Corporate Awareness Campaign Impact Award: Hoosier Lottery for the “Holiday Gift Responsibly Pledge”

• Affiliate People’s Choice Award: Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado for the “Fan Mode” Campaign

• Corporate People’s Choice Award: Mohegan Sun for the “Winning Starts with Responsible Play” Campaign

  
  

NCPG congratulates this year’s award recipients and thanks them for their dedication to advancing prevention, treatment, recovery, research, and responsible gambling. Their work represents the very best of the field and serves as an inspiration to all those committed to reducing gambling-related harm.