Problem gambling disproportionately affects people of colour and people with other mental health conditions, such as substance use disorders. However, their perspectives have traditionally been ignored in gambling prevention and recovery efforts. The authors of this article describe the efforts of the Office of Problem Gambling Services to design a unique program in Massachusetts. This program, called the Massachusetts Ambassador Project, hired people with lived experience of problem gambling (called “Ambassadors”). Ambassadors were trained to work with people with problem gambling in priority populations and connect with community organizations. This article describes how this project was designed and the lessons that were learned.
