Ohio Recognized for Various Awards at 2024 NCPG National Conference
July 22, 2024Surfing to Success in San Diego
Origo was recently honored to join Ohio for Responsible Gambling and our other partners from around the state in San Diego, California for the 2024 National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling, hosted by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
This year’s conference was an exceptional opportunity to learn about new initiatives from thought leaders and experts from around the nation, as well as share the ways Origo and our partners are collaborating to address problem gambling in our state.
We are also proud to announce that Ohio for Responsible Gambling and Origo were recognized with three awards at the 2024 National Awards luncheon for our exceptional work in the field. Two additional awards were also given to excellent partners in the state.
Awards & Recognition
Corporate Website Award
Ohio for Responsible Gambling received the 2024 Corporate Website Award for the new Pause Before You Play Website (PauseBeforeYouPlay.org), which reflects the new look and feel of our campaign following a re-brand that Origo and Ohio for Responsible Gambling launched in September 2023. The re-brand utilizes sports-themed and action-oriented imagery to help connect emotionally with site visitors and educate them about the potential risks of sports betting, as well as other forms of gambling. Please note, this website was revamped when re-branding the statewide campaign of Get Set Before You Bet.
Media Award
Ohio for Responsible Gambling’s second achievement was the 2024 Media Award, which recognizes outstanding original reporting on problem gambling. This award was given for earned media efforts in partnership with Irvin PR, and featured a story placed with Fox 28 Columbus where “Experts Address Problem Gambling on World Suicide Prevention Day.” In this segment, Derek Longmeier (PGNO) and Bruce Jones (Maryhaven) educated the public about a hidden, but growing addiction – problem gambling – and its links to mental health.
People’s Choice
Ohio for Responsible Gambling’s third accolade was the 2024 Corporate People’s Choice Award. This award recognizes an outstanding problem gambling or responsible gambling-related awareness message and was awarded to Pause Before You Play print campaign assets created with Origo. These assets were featured during the conference and voted as the best print campaign and creative strategy amongst 500+ attendees against three other state finalists.
Other Awards
In addition to our work with Ohio for Responsible Gambling, Origo was delighted to see other partners and leaders in this work recognized for their contributions in their field, including the following:
- Don Hulen Annual Award for Advocacy: Derek Longmeier, Executive Director, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
- Service Award: Michael Buzzelli, Associate Director, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
- Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention (Finalist): Claire Spada, OCPC, Workforce Development Manager, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Origo was honored to see the work of Ohio for Responsible Gambling and our other partners lifted up on a national level, as we are excited to continue to elevate the ways we spread awareness alongside collaborative groups across the state around this important mission.
Lastly, we are very excited for NCPG 2025 – which will be hosted next year in Columbus, Ohio! To save the date, visit NCPG’s 2025 National Conference page here.
To learn more about responsible gambling and access resources to support your next outreach and educational initiatives, please visit PauseBeforeYouPlay.org and ChangeTheGameOhio.org.