Scranton’s Innovative Approach to Curbing Problem Gambling
In a move to address the escalating concerns surrounding problem gambling, Scranton is positioning itself as a pioneer in public health strategies aimed at prevention, especially among the youth. Kevin Winters, founder and CEO of Almond Digital Health, recently highlighted the urgency of educational interventions in a packed session at Scranton City Hall.
“We’ve got to focus. Treatment and recovery are important conversations, but upstream early intervention, education, prevention are just as important,” Winters emphasized. His company, Almond Digital Health, is dedicated to fostering healthy gambling habits and has developed a mobile app for this purpose.
During the meeting, attended by representatives from various sectors including healthcare and education, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti remarked on the widespread nature of gambling issues. “I think we know that it’s an issue not just in Scranton but throughout the entire nation,” Cognetti stated, emphasizing the importance of starting preventive measures early.
Winters’ public health journey spans over two decades, and Almond’s name derives from the Latin word for amygdala, the brain region linked to risk and addiction. With state funding, the company plans to expand its program across educational institutions and beyond, aiming to cover “education, upstream early intervention, prevention, treatment, recovery—that whole kind of public health ecosystem,” Winters explained.
Focusing on Youth Education
Statistics reveal that 1 to 2% of Americans struggle with problem gambling, yet the focus of funding has predominantly been on adults. In contrast, data from the 2023 PA Youth Survey shows substantial gambling activity among students. Approximately 20% of Pennsylvania students have reportedly gambled, underscoring the need for early intervention.
Scranton School District Superintendent Erin Keating highlighted the role of schools in promoting digital health and safety, which includes educating students about the risks of online gambling. “We can’t ignore the fact that our kids are digital citizens,” Keating noted, advocating for professional development for staff to better guide students.
The Impact of Legal Gambling
The landscape of gambling changed significantly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to allow state-regulated sports betting. In Pennsylvania, online gambling was legalized even earlier in 2017. Winters pointed out that this has made intervention among the 13 to 18 age group crucial, as they often do not view online sports betting as traditional gambling.
Efforts to address gambling addiction are ongoing, with professionals like Kyle Popish from WholePath Wellness suggesting the establishment of more local support groups. Currently, only two Gamblers Anonymous meetings are available in the area.
Scranton’s Unique Position
Mayor Cognetti expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Almond and other community groups. She believes Scranton’s size is ideal for piloting such a program, stating, “We are small enough that you can work a problem with a group of collaborators…it’s also big enough…it really makes an impact.”
