The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Name

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Legal name

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Website

https://macgh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Nonprofit - Gambling Harm Prevention

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

iCasino Compliance, KYC/AML & Responsible Gaming Services (MPAEABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geolocation, Age Verification & Responsible Gambling Tech (MPAEAKAE), Compliance Training, Policies & Governance (SOPs, controls, board reporting) (MPAEAOAJ), Responsible Gambling & Player Protection Solutions (MPAEACAJ)

Keywords

• Gambling harm prevention
• Responsible gaming services
• Voluntary self-exclusion
• Problem gambling support
• Public health nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Funding: Primary funding from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for operating the PlayWell program and other player health services. Historically received state funding for the helpline (since the 1980s), though this funding was eliminated and the organization has absorbed costs internally.
2. Donations and Corporate Partnerships: The organization accepts charitable donations and partners with corporate entities. The Board of Directors has offered matching donation programs. Donations are used to support the continuation of helpline services and prevention programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MACGH provides gambling harm prevention and recovery support services through its PlayWell responsible gaming program staffed at all three Massachusetts casinos, a 24/7 multilingual helpline and LiveChat, Voluntary Self-Exclusion enrollment, the PlayMyWay budgeting tool, youth sports betting prevention curriculum, clinician certification programs, and employment coaching for individuals in recovery. All services are provided free of charge to the public, with funding sourced from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, donations, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) operates as a nonprofit public health agency offering a portfolio of gambling harm prevention and recovery support services. The core offering consists of the PlayWell Program, which provides trained advisors at Massachusetts casinos, supported by the 24/7 GamLine Helpline and LiveChat support. Key programs include the Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Program with both in-person and remote enrollment options, and the PlayMyWay budgeting tool. Additional services include the Youth Sports Betting Curriculum (a five-session prevention program), the Gaming Health Specialist Certificate for clinician training, and the Square One employment support program. The organization maintains a neutral stance on legalized gambling while focusing on public health education, prevention, and recovery resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PlayWell: An award-winning responsible gaming program providing trained advisors at Massachusetts casinos to help patrons keep gambling safe, informed, and balanced. Includes PlayWell Advisors who offer guidance on odds, game features, and budgeting support.
• PlayMyWay
• GamLine
• Square One Program
• GRIN
• Gaming Health Specialist Certificate
• Youth Sports Betting Curriculum & Program
• Safe Ride Home Campaign

Products and services

• PlayWell Program An internationally-recognized responsible gaming program providing trained PlayWell Advisors at all three Massachusetts casinos who offer gambling education, budgeting support, and guidance on game features and odds to casino patrons.
• GamLine Helpline 24/7, 365-day helpline (1-800-GAM-1234 / 1-800-GAMBLER) providing gambling-related support, referrals, crisis intervention, and recovery resources to individuals seeking help with gambling-related issues.
• Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Program Program allowing Massachusetts players to voluntarily exclude themselves from casino floors and/or sports wagering for designated periods, with both in-person and first-of-its-kind remote enrollment options. Over 1,500 Bay Staters have enrolled.
• PlayMyWay Free voluntary budgeting tool integrated with casino rewards cards that helps patrons track gambling limits and receive notifications at 75% and 100% of their pre-set budgets.
• Youth Sports Betting Curriculum & Program Five-session prevention curriculum helping young people recognize gambling risks, challenge myths, and build media and financial literacy skills related to sports betting. 69% of youth are more likely to wait until legal age before gambling after completing the program.
• Gaming Health Specialist Certificate Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 Bay Staters enrolled in Voluntary Self-Exclusion
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Joint public health campaign during Super Bowl week urging fans to gamble responsibly. Both organizations promoted their support helplines and resources, with Super Bowl betting expected to reach $1.76 billion nationwide.
• City of Springfield Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Joint launch of Springfield Safe Ride Home Campaign designed to reduce impaired driving risks associated with gambling and alcohol consumption at MGM Springfield.
• Massachusetts Office of the Attorney GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Leadership partner that recognized the national need for youth sports betting prevention. Funded and supported development of the first youth gambling-harm prevention curriculum in the US focused on sports betting and daily fantasy sports.
• American Gaming Association (AGA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Partnership for Responsible Gaming Education Month, elevating player health commitment across the casino industry. AGA provides voluntary marketing regulations for advertisers.
• Massachusetts Gaming CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder and regulatory partner. MACGH operates the Commonwealth's PlayWell program as designated by the MGC. The partnership includes data-driven consulting services and program development for the gaming industry.
• MGM SpringfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCasino partner hosting PlayWell Hubs with trained advisors on site. Collaborated on Safe Ride Home campaign to reduce impaired driving. MACGH helps operate and promote responsible gambling initiatives.
• Plainridge Park CasinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCasino partner with PlayWell Information Center. Active participant in Responsible Gaming Education Month initiatives and internal staff training programs.
• Encore Boston HarborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCasino partner with PlayWell Information Center. Added to PlayMyWay voluntary budgeting tool enrollment in September 2022. Participates in responsible gaming education initiatives.
• Cambridge Health AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and training. MACGH contributes to Gambling Disorder Screening Day, a project with the Division on Addiction. Division Director Debi LaPlante provides content for newsletters.
• University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership through SEIGMA (Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts) study published by UMass Amherst.
• McGill University International Centre for Youth and GamblingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the 'Lottery Tickets Aren't Child's Play' campaign to prevent youth exposure to lottery gambling.
• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership for problem gambling awareness, prevention resources, and advocacy. MACGH staff serve on NCPG Board and Prevention Committee.
• Asian American Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutreach partnerships with organizations including Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, Asian American Civic Association, and Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center for culturally-specific gambling education.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California Council on Problem Gambling: California's state affiliate providing 24/7 helpline, education, and advocacy. Comparable nonprofit structure, multi-channel service delivery, and clinician training focus make it a strong peer for MACGH.
• Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling: Maryland's state-designated problem gambling center offering helpline, treatment, training, and VSE support. Directly comparable mission and operating model to MACGH in a state with a developing casino and sports betting market.
• New York Council on Problem Gambling: New York state affiliate providing problem gambling helpline, training, and prevention services. Directly comparable to MACGH in scope — operates 24/7 helpline, VSE program support, and clinician training in a large state with significant casino and lottery presence.
• Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling: Connecticut state-level problem gambling council providing helpline, education, and treatment referrals. Closely comparable to MACGH as a neighboring New England state council with similar regulatory and casino-operator relationships.
• Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling: Missouri's statewide coalition providing problem gambling resources, helpline, and prevention education. Comparable nonprofit peer with state-level scope and casino-operator engagement.
• National Council on Problem Gambling: National umbrella organization for problem gambling awareness, prevention, and treatment in the U.S. MACGH staff sit on NCPG's Board and Prevention Committee. Directly comparable as a nonprofit providing helpline, advocacy, and resources for problem gamblers.
• Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling: Washington State affiliate of NCPG, comparable in scope and mission to MACGH. Recently partnered with MACGH on a joint Super Bowl public health campaign, signaling close peer collaboration on responsible gambling messaging.
• New Jersey Department of Human Services - Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (Problem Gambling): Government-operated problem gambling services for New Jersey residents. Comparable to MACGH's role as a designated state-level responsible gambling provider, especially given NJ's mature Atlantic City casino market and online gambling expansion.

Emerging players

• Kindbridge Behavioral Health: Telehealth provider specializing in gambling disorder treatment and clinician training. Represents the emerging tech-enabled, clinical-services model that could complement or compete with MACGH's clinician training and treatment referral offerings.

Broad incumbents

• GamCare (UK): UK's leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Operates the National Gambling Helpline and delivers training nationally — comparable mission and service mix, but at national scale and longer history than MACGH.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/masscouncilgh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPe-RSk0paAXJWZXibK0_lA
• Facebookfacebook.com/MACouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/massachusetts-council-on-compulsive-gambling
• Instagraminstagram.com/masscouncilgh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health