NCPG Executive Director Heather Maurer Departs After Less Than One Year

Heather Maurer has stepped down as executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, according to reporting by Focus Gaming News. She joined the organization in November 2025 and the NCPG provided no reason for her exit. The council has launched a search for her replacement and stated that its advocacy, programs and services will continue without interruption.

Maurer succeeded Keith Whyte, who departed in January 2025 after 27 years in the role. The timing of her departure follows disputes over the NCPG’s agreement with prediction market operator Kalshi.

Kalshi Agreement and Member Withdrawals

In May the NCPG announced a multi-year agreement with Kalshi that included a US$2 million investment. The deal created a new Financial Services & Trading membership category and named Kalshi its first participant. The arrangement prompted the Michigan Gaming Control Board to withdraw. Organizations based in Nevada, Ohio and Washington also exited. Minnesota state Senator John Marty called for the NCPG to revoke Kalshi’s membership.

Critics maintain that Kalshi’s event contracts function as sports betting without required licenses and allow users aged 18 in jurisdictions where the sports betting age is 21. The NCPG has responded that it takes a neutral position on the legality of prediction markets and that the financial support does not constitute an endorsement. “NCPG exists not to litigate whether prediction markets or other emerging activities meet a legal definition of gambling, but to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm wherever it occurs,” said board president Derek Longmeier on September 22.

The council separately lost use of the 1-800-GAMBLER number after a New Jersey court order in September 2025. It now operates the 1-800-MY-RESET line as its nationwide helpline.

Risks to Unified Advocacy Efforts

The sequence of events exposes limits on how national problem gambling organizations can incorporate new funding streams without fracturing existing membership. Several organizations have already left as a result of the Kalshi partnership, and additional calls to reconsider Kalshi’s status remain unresolved. Future leadership will confront the task of rebuilding consensus while the prediction markets debate continues to divide stakeholders across regulatory and advocacy lines.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

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