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National Council on Problem Gambling Awards Spring 2025 Agility Grants to Five Community Organizations
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has announced that it is awarding $192,000 in Agility Grant funding to five organizations as part of the Spring 2025 cycle. These grants, which are made possible with funding from the NFL Foundation and FanDuel, support the development and expansion of problem gambling prevention initiatives tailored to meet the specific needs of diverse communities.
Now in its seventh funding round since launching in 2022, the Agility Grants program is the first and only national initiative exclusively dedicated to funding problem gambling prevention. Since its inception, the program has awarded grants to organizations in 21 states, reaching more than 450,000 individuals in just three years. Designed to encourage innovation, Agility Grants provide seed funding for pilot projects and new ideas that promote early intervention, especially among youth ages 12–17 and young adults 18–24, where prevention efforts have the most significant long-term impact.
“Investing in community-driven programs is key to effective prevention. The projects supported by Agility Grant funding reflect a commitment to building practical, scalable solutions that resonate with the people they serve,” said NCPG Director of Programs Jaime Costello.
Spring 2025 Agility Grant funding will support the following programs:
Artreach, Inc.
In partnership with Connecticut State Community College campuses, Artreach will present BEYOND THE BET, a multimedia theatrical performance that shares the gambling stories of four individuals from diverse backgrounds, life stages, and experiences. The program uses live performance and facilitated discussion to raise awareness, explore the complexities of gambling harm, and engage audiences in meaningful conversations about problem gambling prevention. The distribution of educational materials will accompany performances to extend learning beyond the stage.
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
The Lao Assistance Center will expand its community education efforts by delivering six culturally grounded training sessions on mental health, addiction, and problem gambling in the Twin Cities’ Lao community. Each session will be followed by a multilingual community forum designed to reduce stigma, spark dialogue, and improve access to culturally appropriate problem gambling prevention resources and support services.
NICOS Chinese Health Coalition
Building on its successful youth prevention model funded by a Spring 2024 Agility Grant, NICOS will expand its youth gambling prevention initiative for Asian American middle school students in San Francisco. The program will introduce a youth leadership component by training students as peer educators, equipping them to help implement a curriculum focused on gambling risks, financial literacy, and prevention strategies.
Ohio State University Foundation for the benefit of The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery, a program of The Ohio State University, will lead a national effort to expand problem gambling prevention across college campuses. The initiative will train campus leaders using a comprehensive, evidence-informed curriculum designed to reduce gambling harm among college students.
University of Nebraska
The University of Nebraska will expand its campus-based problem gambling prevention initiative to increase reach and impact across the university community. The program will integrate educational messaging into intramural sports through data-informed strategies, engaging culturally based student organizations with tailored lunch-and-learn sessions and relevant programming. A year-long calendar of events will reinforce awareness through ongoing education, digital outreach, and targeted support. This expansion builds on a pilot program launched in 2024 with support from a Spring Agility Grant.
The NCPG Agility Grants Program is supported by major partners, including a multi-year commitment from the NFL via the NFL Foundation. Additional funding from FanDuel enhances the program’s reach and sustainability.
“The NFL is proud to continue supporting the NCPG and the Agility Grants program, which provides critical funding to organizations leading innovative efforts aimed at preventing problem gambling. We are pleased to see both new and returning grantees advancing creative approaches to education and early intervention, particularly for youth and young adults,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility.
Apple iSports, a gaming, entertainment, and technology services company, announced that it has signed a Definitive Agreement with LBC Enterprises Pty Ltd (LBC or Lucky Bet), an online gaming, wagering, and payment systems company.
The proposed acquisition underscores Apple iSports’ ability to execute strategic transactions pursuant to its stated business strategy. This transaction will underpin the Company’s ambitions and excellent relationships in the gaming and entertainment communities by securing highly accretive gaming and wagering revenue streams from business-to-business (B2B) and consumers (B2C). In doing so, this will position the Company to become a highly competitive player in the U.S. online gambling services ecosystem.
Ian Parke, CEO of LBC, said: “The proposed acquisition of our company by Apple iSports validates the global opportunity we see in regulated, tech-driven gaming. By combining LBC’s platform and operational expertise with AiS’s capital markets presence and distribution network, we are primed to accelerate our expansion into new markets and scale our white label program. This partnership represents a major step forward for Lucky Bet and the broader LBC ecosystem.”
Joe Martinez, CEO and Chairman of Apple iSports, said: “The Board of Directors is excited to continue rolling out our stated objectives with our proposed acquisition of LBC. Our service offerings to B2B and B2C will now be significantly enhanced in a rapidly growing sector. Combined with our exceptional team, this transaction catapults us into the US and international gaming markets.”
Board member and director Lyndon Hsu, who is based in Singapore, said: “This defining transaction will expand our reach into gaming, wagering, and payment services markets via B2B and B2C opportunities. AiS will also be able to accelerate its stated capital raising objectives and further anticipated business acquisitions. Apple iSports remains on track to become a NASDAQ mainboard-listed company.”
SciPlay, the social games division of Light & Wonder, and Carnival Cruise Line announced a collaboration to launch the “Daily Cruise Giveaway” sweepstakes. From July 21 through August 4, 2025, the social casino game owned and operated by SciPlay entitled JACKPOT PARTY is giving players the chance to win a Carnival Cruise Line voucher (valid for two guests) every single day.
This partnership unites two established entertainment brands, blending the popular and wildly fun gaming experience of JACKPOT PARTY with the real-world vacation experiences offered by Carnival Cruise Line. Players 21 and older can enter the sweepstakes by downloading the JACKPOT PARTY mobile app and registering through the in-game sweepstakes portal. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
JACKPOT PARTY delivers authentic casino-floor excitement through its wildly popular free-to-play mobile game. With over 100 million global downloads, it consistently ranks among the top-grossing mobile apps, offering thrilling virtual slots experiences. Key features include JACKPOT PARTY’S collection of authentic slot machines, prominently featuring fan favorites like HUFF N’ EVEN MORE PUFF, DANCING DRUMS LINK TREASURE, and INVADERS ATTACK FROM THE PLANET MOOLAH. All in-game coins are virtual, and the game does not offer real money gambling and is for entertainment only, with in-app purchases.
“This sweepstakes is a way for us to offer additional value to our players and connect their in-game enjoyment with tangible real-world experiences. Collaborating with a brand like Carnival Cruise Line, known for delivering memorable vacations, allows us to extend the fun beyond the screen and onto a cruise ship,” said Noga Halperin, Chief Revenue Officer of SciPlay.
PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced it has secured gaming licenses in both Puerto Rico and Maine, marking a major milestone in the operator’s continued growth. With this expansion, PrizePicks becomes the first daily fantasy sports operator to obtain a gaming license in Puerto Rico.
PrizePicks players can now access Arena in Maine, with Puerto Rico set to go live in the coming months. Following the launch, PrizePicks will be operational with its fantasy contests in 47 jurisdictions across the US.
“We’re grateful to the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission and the Maine Gambling Control Unit for their partnership and support throughout the licensure process. We’ve seen tremendous engagement with Arena across the country, and we’re confident that momentum will carry into these new jurisdictions,” said Adam Packer, Senior Vice President of Legal & Compliance at PrizePicks.
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