The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Its purpose is to educate and disseminate information on compulsive gambling and to facilitate referrals.

The Pennsylvania Council provides speakers, workshops, seminars, and information on this public health problem to business, industry and labor groups, schools and colleges, health care and treatment facilities, and to community and religious organizations.

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania was founded by:

• Jack Wolf (deceased), the founder of Gamblers Anonymous in Pennsylvania, South Jersey & Delaware.
• Angelo Salvatore (deceased)
• Yvonne Kaye, Ph.D.
• Jim Pappas

Accomplishments

• 24/7 live clinical center since February of 2007
• Over 3,000 therapists have completed out 30 hour Level # 1 clinical training
• Over 500 therapists have completed our 30 hour Level # 2 course
• The Council is about to complete a (3) year state paid Prevention Program called “Smart Choices” addressing Prevention for Adolescent Problem Gambling

Purpose

Our purpose is to assist those seeking care the CCGP manages the 24/7, free and confidential Problem Gambling Helpline in Pennsylvania. We refer all callers to the closest resources which may include a local trained clinician, Gamblers Anonymous or Gamanon meeting. The Helpline can use the ATT-language line allowing us to assist callers who may speak any of over 120 languages, and the TTY allows us to offer referral information and assistance to the hard of hearing and deaf community.

People

Jim Pappas

Executive Director

Jim Pappas has served as the Executive Director of the CCGP since July, 2001. He has been a board member and past president of the Board since the board was founded in 1984. Jim has worked at Belmont Behavioral Health from December, 1987, until July of 1999, as a marketing and managed care representative.

Jim is also a Board member of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, a certified gambling counselor and has presented workshops, seminars and trainings throughout the state of Pennsylvania, Delaware & New Jersey on compulsive gambling issues since 1987.

Joanna Franklin, MS NCGC II

Director of Training

Joanna Franklin received her BS and MS degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She is the president of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling and has been treating gamblers and their families since 1979.

She has designed and delivered clinical training programs in 45 states, 10 Canadian provinces, among 31 tribes and in 9 other countries. She has consulted and trained for the FBI, CIA, Pentagon, the Navy, and the Army. She designed and implemented responsible gaming training for state lotteries, race tracks and casinos internationally. She has authored two book chapters for Harvard publications on family therapy and teen gambling, and published journal articles on problem gambling treatment.