More Than $4 Million Committed To NCRG For Research And Education Initiatives

Contribution from Las Vegas Sands Corp. drives 2013 pledge renewal campaign

May 28, 2013

WASHINGTON – The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) announced today that the commercial casino industry has pledged more than $4 million in 2012 to support the organization’s mission of funding innovative research and public education programs about gambling disorders and responsible gaming. Additionally, a substantial commitment from the Las Vegas Sands Corp. launched the 2013 pledge campaign drive for the organization. These pledges put the NCRG over the $25 million mark in fundraising since its establishment in 1996.

“This remarkable support from the gaming industry will fund the next level of groundbreaking research for this field,” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. “As the nation’s largest private funder of research on gambling disorders, the NCRG counts on these vital commitments to increase our understanding of gambling disorders and responsible gaming.”

The companies that have a history of supporting the NCRG and have committed renewed funding pledges during this campaign include:

  • Caesars Entertainment Corporation ($1,500,000 over five years)
  • MGM Resorts International ($1,168,000 over four years)
  • Ameristar ($225,000 over three years)
  • Penn National Gaming, Inc. ($180,000 over three years)
  • Wynn Resorts ($150,000 over three years)
  • Pinnacle Entertainment ($75,000 over three years)

Additionally, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. made a new pledge agreement of $900,000 over three years. While the Las Vegas Sands has been a dedicated supporter of the NCRG Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction in past years, this is a new multi-year commitment from the company.

With the $22 million raised before 2012, the NCRG has made a significant impact in increasing understanding of gambling disorders and responsible gaming through high-quality research and science-based resources. NCRG-funded research has produced more than 215 articles in top-tier peer-reviewed publications, leading to a number of significant advancements in the field’s knowledge of gambling disorder prevalence, promising treatment strategies and a framework for understanding gambling as a public health issue.

The NCRG has also developed peerless educational trainings – including the regional clinician workshops and webinar sessions – and publications that are designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. In 2012 alone, more than 500,000 individuals took part in an NCRG education and outreach opportunity or received a free resource, either in print or online.

“The NCRG continues to expand its public education offerings through new videos, publications and science-based resources,” said Feldman. “By growing our research and education initiatives, we expand opportunities to learn about this public health issue and continue to seek ways to help those in need.”

To learn more about the NCRG, visitwww.ncrg.org. To stay up-to-date on year-round educational opportunities and the latest news and issues in the field, visit the NCRG’s blog –Gambling Disorders 360°– and connect with the NCRG onFacebookandTwitter.

/by