Salem Resident Earns National Problem Gambling Advocacy Award

SALEM, MA — A 20-year Salem resident was honored for her work to improve the lives of problem gamblers and their loved ones through advocacy at the recent National Council on Problem Gambling's 36th Annual Conference held in Boston's Seaport District.

Marlene Warner received the Monsignor Joseph Dunne Lifetime Award for Advocacy — named after the former New York Police Department chaplain and addictions counselor who founded NCPG.

Warner has served at The Massachusetts Council for Gaming and Health for more than 20 years, including 11 as its Executive Director.

"I've been privileged to learn from and collaborate with amazing mentors, policymakers, and fellow advocates over the years," she said. "This award goes out to them.

"Together, we've made a significant impact to help mitigate the harms of gambling and gaming in our communities."

Warner's advocacy secured consumer protections in the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act, which has supported problem gamblers and their families across the region.

Warner has also been a vocal champion in addressing the concerning surges of gaming disorder, also known as video gaming addiction, in kids, teens, and adults. She has been a top advocate for expanded safeguards as the Massachusetts state legislature deliberates the expansion of gambling with sports betting by July 31.

Warner will now deliver a special keynote presentation on her career at the 2023 NCPG Annual Conference in Washington D.C.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)