Sports Betting Treatment Considerations (Fall 2025)

Sports betting has become increasingly popular over the past few years and can cause meaningful harm, similar to other types of gambling. However, sports bettors are a unique group of gamblers with specialized needs. This clinical-based training will dive into the distinctive risk factors that can impact sports bettors at the individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels. Following this overview, we will outline concrete treatment interventions that can be used to address these risk factors in your own practice. Participants will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the treatment strategies by engaging in a small group activity. To wrap up the training, we will discuss the very tragic reality of self-harm in gambling, including implications for clinical practice. Please come prepared to participate in this training, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning! Prior to attending this training, we recommend registering for our Introduction to Sports Betting training for an overview of the sports betting landscape. 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 1.5

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Agenda:

1. Welcome and background of sports betting (terms, rapid expansion, technological advancements, involvement of athletes)
2. Problem gambling risk factors 
3. Clinical interventions to address problem gambling risk factors
4. Breakout room activity (identifying triggers, thoughts, behaviors related to sports betting and swapping behaviors for more adaptive coping strategies)
5. Large group shareback
6. Suicide and gambling and clinical implications
7. Closing and key takeaways 

Learning Objectives: 

As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…

1. List at least one risk factor for problematic sports betting at the individual, interpersonal, and environmental level.
2. Identify at least one evidence-based strategy that can be used to treat sports bettors experiencing problem gambling. 
3. Explain how to reduce the occurrence of suicidal ideation among sports bettors by addressing perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. 

Instructor #1: Shantel Mercedes, MPH: Shantel is a Program Associate for Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC. She has 2 years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has facilitated online trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder. She is particularly interested in the cultural significance and influence regarding common problem gambling behaviors. She has a BA in Public Health and Health Equity from Mills College and a Master’s in Public Health from Simmons University

Instructor #2: Nakita Sconsoni, MSW: Ms. Sconsoni is a Community Health Educator at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance and is part of M-TAC’s Training and Education team. She has 3+ years of experience working in the field of addiction, with a focus on gambling. Ms. Sconsoni has developed and facilitated live trainings and online courses, and created educational materials for allied health professionals, recovery and support providers, and others. She is also a Content Manager of the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS; https://basisonline.org/) research blog. Ms. Sconsoni has also worked as a mental health therapist for adults comorbidly diagnosed with a developmental disability and a mental health condition. Ms. Sconsoni is particularly interested in the intersectionality between addiction and other social identities. She earned her MSW from the University of New Hampshire.

Instructor #3 Glimar “Glee” Rodriguez Parrilla LICSW, LADCI: Glee is a bilingual clinician, consultant, and supervisor specializing in gambling disorder and substance use treatment. With over a decade of experience, she provides high-quality consultation, program development support, and clinical supervision to professionals and organizations seeking to strengthen their response to gambling-related harm and co-occurring disorders. As a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADCI) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Glee is deeply grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-focused care.

Approval Statements:

• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at [email protected] for the status of social work CE accreditation.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 1.5 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborate to produce M-TAC trainings, courses, and resources, which are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services. The instructors have no financial interests that might create a conflict of interest in the development or delivery of this training. Click here to access our full list of our funders and conflict of interest/grievance policies and procedures.