M-TAC delivers free training and technical assistance to problem gambling treatment and recovery providers across Massachusetts. Since 2022, HRiA has managed M-TAC, leveraging its long history of developing and implementing effective capacity building programs. HRiA partnered with addiction and gambling disorder experts at the Division on Addiction at the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) to ensure that the program was built upon evidence-based research. Together, these partners work to improve the problem gambling treatment infrastructure that makes recovery possible.
M-TAC’s approach
Through its thoughtful approach to workforce development, M-TAC ensures that behavioral health professionals have the knowledge and skills they need to deliver high-quality problem gambling treatment and recovery services. The program provides:
The team develops trainings and resources to address the needs of priority populations, taking into consideration participant feedback and state data trends. M-TAC’s educational content is grounded in data, clinical expertise, and the lived experience of people impacted by problem gambling. Trainees will enhance their understanding of problem gambling and its intersection among identity, substance use, and mental health disorders (see sample clip below).
To meet the needs and preferences of its audience, M-TAC offers multiple learning formats. Participants can create their own training plan with a combination of live virtual trainings, asynchronous courses, and in-person trainings (available upon request). M-TAC’s training calendar and learning management system make it easy for professionals to find opportunities that sharpen their skills and suit their schedules.
M-TAC streamlines the training and credentialling process for addiction-trained treatment and recovery professionals interested in building their expertise in problem gambling. M-TAC’s free trainings and courses confer continuing education units (CEs) eligible providers can use to apply for or renew their certification as a Massachusetts Problem Gambling Specialist (MA PGS). (The MA PGS is the the official problem gambling treatment credential of the MA Department of Public Health.)
Regional M-TAC capacity building managers provide technical assistance, thus increasing provider knowledge and skills. This regional outreach strategy creates frequent opportunities for connection and learning. Additionally, M-TAC facilitates statewide meetings where professionals can share resources related to problem gambling and develop connections with others in their field.
M-TAC team members have established relationships with other HRiA programs serving problem gambling treatment and recovery service providers. For example, M-TAC works in partnership with the MA Health Promotion Clearinghouse to develop and distribute materials about problem gambling treatment and resources. The MA Problem Gambling Helpline makes referrals to providers – including those trained by M-TAC – for those seeking problem gambling treatment and recovery services.
Course excerpt
M-TAC’s content explores the intersection of problem gambling with identity, substance use, and mental health disorders. This clip is an excerpt from the asynchronous training module: “Addiction Among Those Minoritized by Race or Ethnicity.”
Impact and Evaluation Efforts
M-TAC works to address the effects of gambling expansion on the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Massachusetts. Since July 1, 2022, M-TAC has hosted 65 trainings, yielding over 1,400 participants through January 2025. These engagements translate into a growing body of providers who can offer effective treatment for problem gambling.
An additional component of M-TAC’s work includes increasing awareness and education of screening and assessment tools for Gambling Disorder. Gambling problems often go undetected and untreated, due in part to limited screening, training, and capacity. Unlike other addictions, problem gambling has no obvious physical signs or symptoms. To confront this challenge, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) and M-TAC launched a statewide initiative empowering more Massachusetts-based organizations to host Gambling Disorder Screening Day events.
Gambling Disorder Screening Day (GDSD)
GDSD is an international grassroots effort to raise awareness of gambling harm and screening for gambling disorder. To build upon this foundation, M-TAC launched an effort in 2024 to encourage and support organizations in Massachusetts to host their own GDSD events to increase the number of clients being screened for problem gambling. Through this effort, M-TAC provided funding, training, and technical assistance to two cohorts of organizations planning to host events. Below is a snapshot of the initiative and its results.
Increase capacity to screen for gambling disorder at treatment centers, community- and faith-based organizations, and recovery centers throughout the state.
Provide Massachusetts-based organizations free training and technical assistance (TTA) to help plan and host Gambling Disorder Screening Day events in their communities. Assistance includes live virtual screening TTA sessions, stipends of up to $5K, resource materials, and promotional items.
In 2024, this initiative engaged 47 awardees through two cohorts. Together, they screened 3,050 individuals. Of those, 611 individuals (20%) screened positive, and 407 were successfully referred to problem gambling treatment or support services.*
These trends continued in 2025, during which the initiative expanded to 75 awards across two cohorts. Altogether, awardees reported 5,017 screenings, with 939 individuals (18.7%) screening positive and 563 receiving referrals to treatment or support services.
*Note: Referrals to services could not be made in cases where individuals either declined them or completed screenings anonymously.
Feedback about the program was very positive.
This was a great opportunity to help our community better understand the issue of problem gambling and to help inform folks that support, treatment, and recovery are all possible.
GDSD awardee
What’s next for M-TAC?
M-TAC has introduced two new MA PGS certificate tracks, empowering allied health professionals to identify and address problem gambling and related issues. This includes recovery coaches, community health workers, peer gambling ambassadors, and more. By expanding the types of professionals eligible to apply for certification, M-TAC can further grow the state’s capacity to address problem gambling. The program seeks to introduce ~100 additional MA PGS-certified professionals into the treatment and recovery workforce. Meanwhile, the M-TAC team is developing new courses and educational materials to align with program expansion while continuing to meet the needs of the treatment and recovery support workforce.
Resources
Let’s create impact together.
We work with our clients to customize their capacity building initiatives to meet their specific organizational and community needs. If you’d like to discuss our services and offerings, we’d love to hear from you.