Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling gets acting director

The head of the Massachusetts agency that advocates for problem gamblers has been named acting director of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.

Under a one-year contract, Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, and members of the Massachusetts council’s staff will work with the Connecticut council “to maintain and build services across the state of Connecticut,” it was announced Monday.

The contract was signed in December, according to Krystle Kelly, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts council.

Warner has replaced Tamara Petro, who had served as executive director of the Connecticut council since March 2015. The circumstances of Petro’s departure could not be immediately learned. Her predecessor had been fired by the council’s board of directors.

The Connecticut council will search for a permanent executive director, Kelly said.

“I am so pleased to work with the excellent staff at CCPG to maintain critical support services and conduct a full review of the current practices and programs during this transition period,” Warner said in a statement. “The partnership with the Massachusetts council will run for up to one year, and includes the sharing of staff and expertise to assist CCPG during this period. While CCPG does not comment on prior personnel matters, we are eager to continue the work of supporting those struggling with problem gambling and implementing prevention programs in our schools and communities.”

Warner had previously worked on joint programs with the Connecticut council.

“Our organizations have collaborated for years, so we are thrilled that Marlene has agreed to lend her experience and expertise during this transition,” Willie Coleman, chairman of the Connecticut council’s board, said in a statement. “Connecticut is undergoing another significant change in our gambling environment, and we must ensure that we are best serving all those who need it. Marlene will help maintain our critical services, evaluate all of our current practices, and lay a solid foundation for our next executive director to build from.”

The Connecticut council, a nonprofit that takes no position for or against legalized gambling, is largely funded by Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun as well as the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.