Meet Our Founder
Pat Loontjer
Founder & Executive Director
One determined Nebraskan. Decades of fighting back.
"This isn't about being anti-fun. It's about protecting Nebraska families from an industry that profits from addiction and suffering. I've seen what this does to families. I'm not going to stop talking about it."
Her Story
How Pat Loontjer Became Nebraska's Most Feared Opponent of Predatory Gambling
A Grandmother Who Wouldn't Stay Quiet
Pat Loontjer didn't set out to become a political force. She was a Nebraska grandmother who saw what gambling addiction was doing to families in her community — and she couldn't look away. While the gambling industry spent millions on slick advertising campaigns, Pat showed up at community meetings, church basements, and legislative hearings with nothing but the truth and an unshakeable determination to be heard.
Building a Movement from the Ground Up
Pat founded Gambling With The Good Life on the belief that grassroots organizing — neighbor talking to neighbor, family to family — is more powerful than any lobbyist. She built the organization without PAC money or industry backing, relying instead on the stories of real Nebraskans who had been devastated by problem gambling. That authenticity became her greatest strength.
The Fight Against the 2020 Amendment
When the gambling industry launched its campaign to amend the Nebraska Constitution and legalize casino gambling, Pat led the opposition. She traveled the state, testified before legislative committees, and organized communities from Omaha to the Panhandle. Though the amendment ultimately passed, Pat's campaign forced a public conversation about gambling harm that the industry had hoped to avoid — and laid the groundwork for the consumer protection fights that followed.
Still Fighting
Since the casinos opened, Pat has continued her work with renewed urgency. She monitors legislation in the Unicameral, advocates for mandatory problem gambling treatment funding, and ensures that the voices of affected families are never far from the ears of Nebraska's lawmakers. The gambling industry has more money. Pat has more heart — and more Nebraskans on her side.
Connect with Pat
Pat Wants to Hear From You
If your family has been affected by problem gambling, if you want to get involved in advocacy, or if you're a journalist or researcher — Pat personally reads every message sent to the organization.