Dec 30, 2021
LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE LOWELL SUN
Dear Editor:
The editorial, “Wagering sports betting, problem gaming can coexist” (Dec. 26, 2021) raised important questions about the legalization of sports wagering in Massachusetts and the potential impact on gambling addiction. The fact is, we know very little about sports betting and its potential for increasing gambling disorder. Most of the published, peer-reviewed research has focused on European populations. That is why the International Center for Responsible Gaming, the preeminent worldwide organization dedicated to understanding gambling addiction, recently awarded a $400,000 grant for a first-time study of the impact of sports wagering on the U.S. Researchers at Bowling Green State University will determine a national prevalence rate for sports wagering, identify risk factors for problematic behavior, and explore how technology influences sports betting. The findings from this study will enable public policy makers in Massachusetts and around the nation to make evidence-based decisions on legalization and mitigation efforts to reduce gambling-related harms. For more information, visitwww.icrg.org.
Sincerely,
International Center for Responsible Gaming
900 Cummings Center, Suite 321-U
Beverly, MA. 01915
617-359-9904
Nov 2, 2021
Contact:Christine Reilly (617-359-9904)
creilly@icrg.org
For immediate release
ICRG Funds Groundbreaking Sports Wagering Study
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) today announced the first award from the Sports Wagering Research Fund. A three-year grant of $401,930 to Bowling Green State University will conduct a large scale, national study of sports-wagering behaviors in the United States.
The fund is supported by the following companies: American Gaming Association, MGM Resorts International, DraftKings, William Hill US/Caesars Entertainment, Entain, NASCAR, Hard Rock International, The PGA, and IGT. The ICRG salutes these companies for contributing to the knowledge base about sports betting toward the goal of developing effective responsible gambling and public health strategies.
The aims of this study are to:
- Establish the prevalence of sports-wagering behaviors in the adult population in the United States
- Identify risk factors for problematic sports-wagering behaviors
- Explore how technology influences sports betting
- Establish the natural trajectories of sports-wagering behaviors over time
“This research project seeks to study the rapidly changing face of sports wagering in the United States, with a focus on understanding what factors might lead some people to develop problematic play, whereas other people are able to wager without problems,” said Principal Investigator Joshua Grubbs. “Our hope is that this work can better inform efforts to promote responsible play and prevent the potential harms that problem gambling can cause.”
For more information on the ICRG’s research and education programs, go towww.icrg.org.
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Oct 1, 2021
Contact:Christine Reilly (617-359-9904) /creilly@icrg.org
For immediate release
GAMBLING RESEARCH ORGANIZATION APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT
BEVERLY, MASS. —The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) today announced the appointment of Arthur Paikowsky as the new president of the ICRG. His appointment will take effect on Oct. 4, 2021.
Paikowsky has served on the fund raising team of the Birthright Israel Foundation for 13 years. He has worked in the nonprofit organization sphere for 43 years and has served organizations that have raised one billion dollars for not-for-profit causes.
“We are excited to have Arthur Paikowsky join the ICRG in an important leadership role,” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the ICRG board of directors. “While the gambling industry has seen expansion into new areas and significant growth, unfortunately, funding for responsible gambling research hasn’t kept pace. As the leading global organization dedicated to such research, we are laser-focused on expanding our funding base by not only reinforcing traditional donor giving but also bringing new sectors of the industry into this critical endeavor.”
Prior to working with the Birthright Israel Foundation, Paikowsky served as a fund-raising consultant with Chai Hopes LLC and as executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. He earned a master’s degree in social work at Yeshiva University.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the president of the International Center for Responsible Gaming. We have a tremendous board supported by a very capable team of professionals and this presents an opportunity to move the needle forward substantially” said Paikowsky. “The research that we fund has advanced our understanding of gambling disorder light years ahead enabling us to educate, intervene and treat those who are suffering. I look forward to engaging with our current donors and future donors as well in the coming days.”
Since 1996, the ICRG has created a rigorous and thriving field of research on gambling disorder and responsible gaming designed to further the mission of helping individuals and families affected by gambling disorder through first-class scientific research and evidence-based educational programming. For more information, visitwww.icrg.org.
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Jul 2, 2020
For Immediate Release
Date:July 2, 2020
Contact:Christine Reilly (617-359-9904)
ICRG CONFERENCE ON GAMBLING AND ADDICTION GOES VIRTUAL
BEVERLY, MASS. — TheInternational Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG)today announcedthat the 21stConference on Gambling and Addiction will bereimagined as a virtual event.ICRGorganizers have chosen to focus on conveying meaningful program elements online so theworld’snetwork of clinical, research, and industry experts can continue to collaborate virtually.
ICRG based the decision toadjustthis year’s conferencesolelyonfeedback fromattendees—primarily treatment providers and researchers—whohave beenadverselyaffected by theCOVID-19pandemicand its continued effects on state and local economies.
“Advancing ourcollectiveunderstanding of responsible gaming and problem gambling iseven more important during these unprecedented times,”said ICRG Board Chairman Alan M. Feldman. “The virtual conference will continue the ICRG’s tradition of connecting stakeholders with cutting-edge research on gamblingandaddiction.”
The online program will offer a series of webinars and a virtual poster session that will allow researchers to showcase their new work.Conference topics will include:
- New Strategies in Helping Families and Loved Ones Addressing Problem Gambling
- CulturallyAdaptingEvidence-basedTreatments inPartnership withAmerican Indians
- Gaming Taxes and State Responsible Gambling Appropriations: Where Does the Money Go?
- Recognizing Stigma Embedded in Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders
- Addictive Behavior Relapse: Challenges in the Treatment of Gambling Disorder and How Mindfulness May be Helpful in Breaking the Relapse Cycle
The conference is freeandadvanced registration is required. VisitICRG.orgfor registration linksand scheduling details.
The ICRG’s Conference on Gambling and Addiction is traditionally co-located with the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which will be heldOct. 5-8, 2020, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.For the latest on G2E, visitGlobalGamingExpo.com.
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About theICRG
Since 1996, the ICRG, a nonprofit agency,has successfully established a rigorous and thriving field of study designed to further our mission of helping individuals and families affected by gambling disorder through first-class research and evidence-based education programs.
Sep 19, 2019
NCRG Announces New Fund to Support Sports Wagering Research
Fund Supported by Gaming Industry and Key Stakeholders to Advance Responsible Gaming Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 19, 2019
CONTACT
Russell A. Sanna, Ph.D.
rsanna@ncrg.org
978-338-6610
WASHINGTON –Today, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) announced the launch of the Fund to Support Research on Sports Wagering to competitively award researchers at top tier institutions with the resources needed to uncover novel insights into what the introduction of legalized, regulated sports betting means for public health.
The fund is the first-of-its-kind in the U.S. and is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal ban on sports betting in May 2018. With legal, regulated sports betting now available to millions more Americans, adding to the available body of research will help to inform innovative policy decisions around sports wagering and responsible gaming practices for this category of bettors.
Donors to the Fund to Support Research on Sports Wagering encompass a diverse range of casino gaming industry and industry-aligned stakeholders, including:
Founding Donors: $100,000+
American Gaming Association
MGM Resorts International
Bronze Donors: $50,000 – $99,999
William Hill US
GVC Holdings PLC
Supporters: $10,000 – $49,999
NASCAR
IGT
Hard Rock International
“The NCRG has long been a catalyst in the field of gaming research. This fund is especially significant because it will open up research in a previously understudied field in the United States – defining what we know about the effects of sports wagering for years to come,”said Dr. Russell Sanna, executive director for the National Center for Responsible Gaming.“With new opportunities for legal sports betting around the country, policymakers, practitioners, the entire industry, and the public will benefit from expanding our knowledge on this issue.”
“This effort is bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders who are committed to ensuring that as legal sports betting options grow, the field is given the care and study consumers deserve to support responsible, healthy gaming practices. These generous contributions will allow the NCRG to conduct research independently and with integrity,”added NCRG Board Chairman Alan Feldman.
Grants applications to the fund will be peer-reviewed before final award decisions are made by NCRG’s independent Scientific Advisory Board, which is comprised of leading researchers across the United States and Canada. The NCRG is planning to release a letter of intent in February 2020 and anticipates accepting the first grant applications in late spring 2020.
“It is important to support seminal scientific research in an emerging and rapidly expanding segment of the American gaming industry,”said NCRG Senior Research Director Christine Reilly.“Because sports wagering was illegal outside of Nevada until only a year ago, we have an obligation to understand its impacts.”
About NCRG
The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding independent research that helps increase understanding of gambling disorder and youth gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. Since 1996, more than $40 million has been committed to the NCRG, through contributions from the commercial and tribal casino gaming industry, equipment manufacturers, vendors, related organizations and individuals. For more information, visit theNCRG.org.
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Jun 3, 2019
NEWS RELEASE
925 PILOT ROAD∙LAS VEGAS∙NEVADA 89119∙702-651-0000∙FAX 702-651-9912
21stAnnual AGEM/AGA Golf Classic Presented by JCM Global Sets New Milestone,
Raising More Than $2 Million to Support National Center for Responsible Gaming
LAS VEGAS (May 30, 2019) – The AGEM/AGA Golf Classic Presented by JCM Global eclipsed a major milestone at its 21stannual event last week. Thanks to a generous push by event sponsors and players, the Golf Classic has raised more than $2 million in support of the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG).
“The NCRG is deeply grateful to JCM, AGA and AGEM for their unwavering support of research designed to address gambling disorder. We thank all involved in the golf classic,” said NCRG Executive Director Russell Sanna, PhD.
The 21stGolf Classic took place May 7 at the award-winning Cascata Golf Club in Boulder City, NV. A total of 144 players from across the gaming industry spectrum and from across the U.S. participated.
The global gaming industry also supported the NCRG as event sponsors. Major sponsors included the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the American Gaming Association (AGA), JCM Global, Konami, Las Vegas Sands Corporation and Scientific Games. Other sponsors included Caesars Entertainment, Aristocrat, ICE Totally Gaming, Global Gaming Expo, Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, GGB Magazine, South Point Hotel Casino Spa, Interblock, HK, IGT, Catapult Global, Patriot Gaming and Gary Platt.
The event was punctuated by a surprise additional donation from the Caesars Foundation, made directly to the NCRG for $150,000.
During the awards ceremony, JCM Global President Takatomo Imai pledged JCM’s continued support for the event. The 22ndannual Golf Classic is slated for Spring 2020. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Teri Abou atteri.abou@jcmglobal.com.
About the NCRG
The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding scientific research on gambling disorder and youth gambling, and supporting science-based education for the public and professionals. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the NCRG is the only national private funder of this line of research in the US. For more information, visit the NCRG website:www.ncrg.org.
# # #
Contact:
Paul Speirs-Hernandez, Steinbeck Communications
paul@steinbeckcommunications.com
May 1, 2019
MINNEAPOLIS,April 15, 2019/PRNewswire/ – Building off the record total and legislative attendance at its Winter Meeting three months ago, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States today posted its agenda for the Summer Meeting, which takes placeJuly 12-14at the Radisson Blu Downtown inMinneapolis.
To view the agenda, register, and book rooms at the host hotel at special attendee rates, visithttp://www.nclgs.org/meetings.html.
The robust agenda for three-day NCLGS Summer Meeting includes six legislative committee hearings that will focus on legal, regulatory, operational aspects related sports betting, lottery and casino (commercial and tribal), plus a keynote fromTimothy Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming,North America’slargest regional gaming operator.
‘With questions surrounding what lotteries may or may not do and so many states in the process of introducing or legalizing sport betting, the Summer Meeting will be the right place to be if you want to learn what is working and not working in each state,’ said NCLGS PresidentWilliam Coley, a senator fromOhio. ‘We look forward to the ongoing discussion on these issues and much, much more.’
The NCLGS Summer Meeting agenda includes:
- Six legislative committee sessions: Casinos, Emerging Forms of Gaming, Indian Gaming, Lotteries, Responsible Gaming, and State-Federal Relations
- Keynote Luncheon Address: ‘The Next Five Years of Gaming,’ byTimothy Wilmott, CEO, Penn National Gaming, and Chairman, American Gaming Association
- Two IMGL Masterclass panels conducted by the International Masters of Gaming Law focusing on state lottery technology and the multiple crossover regulatory and legal issues
- Special general session panel examining gaming’s evolution toward entertainment
- Thursday evening cocktail reception
- Friday evening welcome reception
- Saturday afternoon tour of Sportradar offices
For sponsorship information, contactRichard Dossatevents@nclgs.org. Legislators and others seeking NCLGS membership information should contactWayne Marlinatwayne.marlin@nclgs.org.
NCLGS is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets on a regular basis to discuss issues relating to gaming. Members of NCLGS serve as chairpersons or members of state legislative committees responsible for the regulation of gaming in their state legislative houses. NCLGS does not promote or oppose gaming but is primarily concerned with the regulation and economic and social impacts of the industry. The NCLGS Foundation is the educational and research arm of NCLGS. The 501(c)(3) non-profit is a source of non-partisan data on issues of gaming legislation and regulation.
Spectrum Gaming Group, which has performed advisory and consulting work for gaming operators, regulators and legislatures in 39 US states and territories and in 47 countries on six continents, serves as the Executive Director of NCLGS.
SOURCE Spectrum Gaming Group
Dean Hestermann and Anthony Cabot bring vast experience in responsible gaming and gaming law
Apr 10, 2019
BEVERLY, MASS. — The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced two significant additions to its governing Board of Directors: Dean Hestermann, director of issues management and strategic communications for Caesars Entertainment; and Anthony Cabot, Distinguished Fellow in Gaming Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Tony and Dean will be incredibly valuable members of the NCRG Board of Directors as we continue to advance our mission to help disordered gamblers through the highest quality scientific research about gambling disorder and responsible gaming. I’m looking forward to their leadership and guidance,” said NCRG board chair Alan Feldman.
In his current position, Hestermann provides strategic analysis and direction for Caesars Entertainment on a variety of public policy and corporate social responsibility issues, including responsible gaming. He has been with Caesars (and its predecessor companies) in various communications, government relations, and public affairs capacities since 1992. He is a former member of the board of directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling, and currently serves on the Institutional Review Board at the University of Memphis and the editorial boards of Harvard Medical School’s Worldwide Addiction Gambling Education Report (The WAGER) and Gaming Law Review.
Before joining the Boyd School of Law, Anthony Cabot practiced gaming law for 37 years and was a former chair of the gaming law practice and executive committee member at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP. While in private practice, Chambers Global as Leading Lawyers for Business, for Gaming Regulation selected Cabot as the highest tier (star) gaming attorney for ten consecutive years. Best Lawyers in America recognized him for Gaming Law from 2004 to 2017. In 2018, he was awarded the UNLV Academic Achievement Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Part-Time Faculty. His most recent publication is Sports Wagering in America, Policies, Economics and Regulation(2018).
Oct 10, 2017
On October 1, 2017, Las Vegas was besieged by the horrific and senseless acts committed by Stephen Paddock. The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) extends its deepest and sincerest condolences to all those affected by this heinous attack.
Many news stories have begun circulating regarding Stephen Paddock’s affinity for gambling, and many have begun questioning whether his gambling habits contributed to his violent behavior. Due to inadequate information, The NCRG, a research organization focused on Gambling Disorder, is unable to make any definitive statements on whether Stephen Paddock suffered from Gambling Disorder. Furthermore, The NCRG is not aware of any research that has examined the relationship between gambling and the level of violence that Stephen Paddock displayed.
Sep 25, 2017
WHAT:18TH ANNUAL NCRG CONFERENCE ON GAMBLING AND ADDICTION
WHEN:OCT. 1-2, 2017
WHERE:The Sands Expo and Convention Center– Level 1
WHY:The NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction is the premier conference on the latest research on gambling disorder and responsible gaming. It provides a unique forum where stakeholders from around the world examine real-world applications for new scientific findings. This year’s nationallyrenowned speakers are pursuing innovative approaches to help people with gambling disorder and to promote responsible gaming.
The program includes:
• Ten plenary and four breakout sessions led by experts in the fields of addiction, mental health, gaming regulation and the gaming industry
• Sessions will explore the use of mindfulness; screening for gambling disorder; new forms of wagering; resistance to treatment among disordered gamblers; warning messages on machines; and a town hall meeting on responsible gaming.
• A poster session will feature new research on gambling disorder and responsible gaming by students and researchers from the US, Canada, South America and Europe.
KEY SPEAKERS:
•Hedy Kober, PhD,expert on mindfulness, craving and addiction
•J. Carlos Rivera,a leader in the Native American Wellbriety movement
•Bo Bernahrd, PhD.,executive director of the UNLV International Institute on Gaming
•Jerome Wakefield, PhD,nationally known critic of the DSM-5
•Blaine Grayboyes,co-founder of GameCo, developer of video game gaming machines
•David Rosmarin, PhD,expert on spirituality in treatment of addiction
For additional information or for interview requests, visitwww.ncrg.org/conferenceor contact:
Christine Reilly, Senior Research Director
creilly@ncrg.org; Mobile: 617.359.9904
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The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding scientific research on gambling disorder and youth gambling, and supporting science-based education for the public and professionals. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the NCRG is the only national private funder of this line of research in the US. For more information, visit the NCRG website:www.ncrg.org.
