Heather Maurer has resigned as the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) after less than a year in her position, as announced by the organization. Derek Longmeier, the President of the NCPG Board of Directors, acknowledged the dedicated staff in an email statement, ensuring that advocacy, programs, and services will continue seamlessly through the search for her successor. He emphasized that the demand for the NCPG's efforts to combat gambling-related harm remains crucial and reaffirmed the importance of partnerships with affiliates and stakeholders.
Maurer, who was appointed last November, replaced Keith Whyte, who had been with the NCPG for 27 years before his departure in January 2025. While the organization has launched a search for Maurer’s replacement, no specific reasons were given for her resignation, which comes at a tumultuous time for the NCPG amid its collaboration with prediction markets operator Kalshi.
In May, the NCPG entered into a multi-year partnership with Kalshi, which involved a $2 million investment from the company. This arrangement made Kalshi the inaugural member of a newly established Financial Services & Trading Subcategory and included its addition to the NCPG's Leadership Circle. The deal has faced significant criticism, particularly from states and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Several member states of the NCPG are currently pursuing legal action against Kalshi, arguing that the company offers a product akin to sports betting without the necessary licenses. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Kalshi serves users as young as 18, conflicting with the majority of state regulations that require sports betters to be at least 21 years old.
In a public statement issued last week, the council reiterated its neutral stance regarding the legality of prediction markets, clarifying that membership or investment does not imply an endorsement. Longmeier noted that the NCPG’s mission is to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm, regardless of the legal distinctions surrounding prediction markets.
As a consequence of its association with Kalshi, several member organizations from states such as Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Washington have resigned from the council.
Maurer’s departure follows closely behind the resignation of NCPG's Director of Programs, Jaime Costello, who left the organization last week. In a LinkedIn post, Costello expressed that changes in the work environment clashed with her professional beliefs. She had proposed to stay on as a consultant to assist with her transition after suggesting an intended final workday of October 9. However, her departure occurred sooner than anticipated.
Maurer’s resignation also follows the NCPG's loss of the 1-800-GAMBLER national gambling support hotline. A New Jersey court ordered the NCPG in September 2025 to stop using the hotline after failing to reach a licensing agreement with its owner, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ). The CCGNJ had operated 1-800-GAMBLER from 1983 until licensing it to the NCPG in 2022. After this setback, the NCPG launched a new service, 1-800-MY-RESET, to provide similar resources nationally. While the CCGNJ continues to manage 1-800-GAMBLER, the NCPG claims that 1-800-MY-RESET should be regarded as the national problem gambling helpline.
