Nicasa Behavioral Health Services Joins 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign to Raise Awareness of Youth Gambling Risks

Nicasa Behavioral Health Services provides low to no-cost problemgambling services to youth and adults throughout Lake County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2025

CONTACT:
Elizabeth Thielen
Senior Director of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
ethielen@nicasa.org
(847)201-7099

Lake County, Illinois –  Today Nicasa Behavioral Health Services (Nicasa) announced its commitment as a participant of the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining lotteries and community organizations across North America and around the world to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery use. The campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and supported by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).

Research supports that early exposure to or participation in gambling during childhood is highly correlated with the development of a gambling problem later in life. Gambling exposure during childhood is often through a lottery product, such as lottery tickets or scratch offs. Often these items are given to a child by an adult who is unaware of the associated risks. Additionally, young people are increasingly gaining access to other products that could be risky for them, like online sports betting and videogaming platforms.

“Year after year, we’re seeing the same troubling pattern. Early gambling leads to significant long-term risks,” said Elizabeth Thielen, Senior Director of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. “Throughout 2025, we’ve been hearing more reports of teens betting online late at night, owing money to friends, or feeling ashamed about losses they can’t recover. What adults may view as harmless entertainment can have serious consequences for young people. Early exposure makes a difference, and it’s a risk we can prevent. Responsible gift-giving is an important part of that prevention. Our choices during holidays and celebrations can help protect young people from unnecessary harm.”

As a participant in the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, Nicasa will promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery use throughout November and December by sharing information on social media and engaging teens across Illinois. Nicasa will also offer community speaking opportunities, create and distribute a Responsible Gift-Giving Guide, and host a virtual educational event to share what safer gifting means and why the youth should be protected.

“Youth gambling is a growing risk that too often goes overlooked. The Gift Responsibly Campaign plays a vital role in helping families and communities understand the importance of keeping lottery products out of kids’ hands,” said Derek Longmeier, President of NCPG’s Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to Nicasa for joining this effort and working to expand education and awareness to protect young people from gambling-related harm.”

Nicasa provides problem gambling education, early intervention, and counseling services across multiple locations throughout Lake County. The Highland Park office specifically has a refreshed treatment environment and focus on youth and emerging adults, offering specialized programming designed for teens and emerging adults experiencing gambling concerns. The program combines in-person services with remote options, including virtual reality educational experiences, skill-building programs, and other technology-enhanced services to meet the needs of emerging adults. With a youth-friendly design and layout, Nicasa’s Highland Park location can host in-person sessions, record social media content, and engage the community through virtual platforms. This space highlights Nicasa as a central resource for young people and families seeking support for gambling-related issues, helping to raise awareness and provide accessible tools to prevent harm.

Nicasa is a member of the NCPG, partnering on this campaign, as well as Problem Gambling Awareness Month every March, and National Gambling Disorder Screening Day. Nicasa is committed to raising awareness by helping to prevent gambling harm through supporting lower-risk gambling practices and providing individualized and skillful care to those impacted by disordered gambling.

Join Nicasa in our efforts to educate and gift responsibly to youth this year by accessing the gift giving guide on our website. For additional information on free resources, materials, workshops, and treatment, contact Nicasa’s gambling team at gambling@nicasa.org or by completing one of our contact forms (English / Spanish). If you or someone you know needs help right away, support is available 24/7. Call 1-800-GAMBLER, text GAMB to 833234, or chat live at www.areyoureallywinning.com.

About Nicasa Behavioral Health Services: Nicasa Behavioral Health Services is a behavioral health and social service agency that has been serving the residents of Lake County since 1966. Our mission is to transform one life at a time through our behavioral health and social services, which is realized through our vision of strengthening the communities we serve by being the premier behavioral health and social service provider. We provide services across a continuum of care that includes education, prevention, harm reduction, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. Our growth into a six-site, nationally recognized leader in comprehensive substance use prevention and treatment is a result of our ability to seek out those in need, identify strengths and resources, and deliver services that create positive choices and lifelong solutions. All of our services are provided in English and Spanish and include, but are not limited to, substance use treatment, mental health and problem gambling counseling, harm reduction, in-school prevention programming, Teen Court diversion, parent education classes, family advocacy, and a residential recovery halfway house for adults.

About the National Council on Problem Gambling

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline™, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame. Call 1-800-522-4700, text 800GAM, or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.