NCRG Conference: Raising Awareness – Making The Most Of Responsible Gaming Education Weeks

The11thannual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addictionmoved to the Las Vegas Convention Center yesterday whereGlobal Gaming Expo (G2E), the premier trade show and conference event for the international gaming entertainment industry, is currently taking place. During a session yesterday morning, a panel made up of industry operators and manufactures and a state association representative discussed ways to make the most of responsible gaming awareness weeks.

Holly Wetzel, communications director at theAmerican Gaming Association (AGA), opened the session with an overview the AGA’sResponsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), which is held each year during the first week of August. RGEW is designed to heighten awareness of responsible gaming and disordered gambling among employees, patrons and the general public. Each year, the AGA creates materials for casinos across the country to help educate their employees and promote RGEW, and individual display promotional materials and provide both employees and customers with copies of important responsible gaming education materials.

The other panel members, Jim Baldacci, deputy chief compliance offer for Penn National Gaming, Inc.; Wes Ehrecke, CAE, president and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association; Connie Jones, director of responsible gaming for International Game Technology; and Kelly Skindzelewski, public affairs manager for Potawatomi Bingo Casino; discussed creative, fun and cost-effective ways to participate in responsible gaming awareness weeks. Some ideas discussed during the session include:

  • Form committees to develop RGEW programs so the work doesn’t fall to one person
  • Get employees involved – they are the ambassadors to get the responsible gaming message out
  • Create a contest – employees are more likely to get involved if they have a chance at winning a prize
  • Involve a company or property’s general manager
  • Work with state and local governments to getproclamationsthat emphasize a commitment to responsible gaming
  • Distribute press releases about RGEW efforts
  • Engage key stakeholders, including team members, community leaders, patrons, the media and the general public

Jones offered one important piece of advice: ‘Don’t just make gambling fun; keep Responsible Gaming Education Week fun!’

For more information on RGEW, visit theAGA website.

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