The National Council on Problem Gambling, the largest gambling addiction advocacy group in the U.S., will soon look to replace its executive director, according to a source close to the organization who spoke to GamblingHarm.org.
Current NCPG Executive Director Heather Maurer officially joined the organization in January 2026, replacing Keith Whyte, who had led the organization for more than 20 years. Maurer was selected after what NCPG called a “highly competitive search.”
NCPG did not respond to a request for comment from GamblingHarm.org on Friday morning. It’s unclear why NCPG is seeking a new executive director. The potential leadership change comes during a turbulent period for the organization. The group faced controversy in 2026 after announcing a $2 million partnership with Kalshi in May.
NCPG has maintained a neutral position on the legality of Kalshi’s platform. Kalshi isn’t NCPG’s only funder. The NFL, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars are among its largest donors.
Kalshi, a prediction market, has been sued by numerous states for alleged illegal gambling. Kalshi claims federal approval to offer stock-market-style sports bets, but states have called it virtually indistinguishable from traditional online sports gambling. Several states have successfully blocked Kalshi’s sports prediction markets.
The NCPG-Kalshi relationship has prompted several members to depart, including gambling regulatory agencies in Michigan and Ohio, along with a problem gambling advocacy group in Washington State. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recently declined to terminate its membership, but MGC Chairman Jordan Maynard said it would consider not renewing.
Jaime Costello, NCPG’s now-former director of programs, announced this week that she had resigned. In a follow-up LinkedIn post, Costello said her resignation was not because of Kalshi.
On Thursday, Richard Schuetz, a retired Las Vegas casino executive, said that he had been “fired” from his role on NCPG’s advisory board, a position he held in 2023.
“Keith Whyte appointed me to the National Council on Problem Gambling Board of Advisors,” Schuetz said. “No one notified me, but apparently I am no longer on the Board of Advisors. Kind of an honor to be fired by this group.”
Schuetz did not provide more details on why he is no longer on the advisory board. He has been outspoken about concerns with the growth of online gambling, including prediction markets.
Also on Thursday, Barry French, chief corporate affairs officer at the slot manufacturer Aristocrat, said the Australia-based company is “stepping back from” NCPG because of its “acceptance of substantial funding from an organization that operates a prediction-market-based sports gambling platform in contravention of state and tribal gaming regulations.”
Other industry insiders have publicly speculated that NCPG, founded in 1972, will see more membership departures.
