NCRG Announces 2011 Launch For Collegegambling.org

Website to Provide Science-based Resources for College Administrators, Student Health and Life Professionals, Students and Parents

Jun 28, 2010

WASHINGTON—The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) and the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders are aiming to help higher education institutions address gambling and gambling-related harms on campus with the launch of a new website –www.CollegeGambling.org– in 2011. Currently in the United States, only 22 percent of colleges and universities have formal policies on gambling. CollegeGambling.org, the first site of its kind, will provide a host of free resources for administrators, student health and life professionals, current and prospective college students, and parents.

“There is a distinct need for sound, science-based policies and programs about gambling and gambling disorders on college campuses,” said Christine Reilly, executive director of the Institute. “CollegeGambling.org will bring together the latest research and best practices in the field of addiction awareness and prevention in order to provide a substantive and versatile resource that will help schools and their students address this important issue in the way that best fits each school’s needs.”

The development of CollegeGambling.org will be overseen by an Advisory Committee of experts from a variety of relevant fields. The following individuals will serve on the CollegeGambling.org Advisory Committee:

Chair

Patricia Ketcham, Ph.D., CHES, Oregon State University
Associate Director of Health Promotion, Student Health Services
Member, Task Force on College Gambling Policies

Members

Keith J. Anderson, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Staff Psychologist
Chair, American College Health Association’s Mental Health Best Practices Task Force

Carlos Blanco, Ph.D., Columbia University
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry

William DeJong, Ph.D., Boston University School of Public Health
Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences
Executive Director, Research and Analysis, Outside The Classroom, Inc. (OTC)

Jeff Derevensky, Ph.D., McGill University
Professor, School/Applied Child Psychology and Professor, Psychiatry
Co-director, International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors
Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders

Mary Anne Nagy, MBA, Monmouth University
Vice President for Student Services
Co-chair, Alcohol and Other Drugs National Knowledge Community, NASPA

Ryan Travia, M.Ed., Harvard University
Director, Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Services, Department of Behavioral Health & Academic Counseling
Member, Task Force on College Gambling Policies

CollegeGambling.org will build on previous efforts funded by the NCRG, including the recommendations of the Task Force on College Gambling Policies and the parent-focused Talking with Children about Gambling brochure, to provide a comprehensive resource for individuals interested in learning more about this topic.

“Since its inception, the NCRG has maintained a strong commitment to funding research and education efforts about problem gambling among young people,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “CollegeGambling.org represents the next evolution in these efforts, as a cutting-edge, science-based resource for information about college gambling and gambling disorders.”

The advisory committee held its first meeting this month. The NCRG and the Institute also will be soliciting input from college students and others stakeholders in the coming months about the kinds of educational materials and resources they find valuable.

For more information about the Task Force on College Gambling Policies and the NCRG’s other work on youth and college gambling issues, visitwww.ncrg.org. To stay up-to-date on developments with CollegeGambling.org and the latest news and issues in the field, visit the Institute’s blog—Gambling Disorders 360°—and connect with theNCRG on Facebook.