NCRG Offers Nearly $1 Million In 2013 To Study Gambling Disorders

New Fellowship Opportunity Aims to Advance the Field by Cultivating Clinical Researchers

Jan 16, 2013

BEVERLY, MASS. – The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced it has allocated $950,000 in 2013 for grants in support of research on the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. The NCRG, the largest private source of funding in the U.S. for investigations of gambling disorders, has been awarding competitive research grants on gambling disorders and youth gambling since 1996. This year, the research grants will be awarded in four previously awarded categories: Travel Grants (up to $1,500 for one year); Seed Grants (up to $25,000 for one year); Early Stage Investigator Grants (up to $65,000 per year for two years) and Large Grants (up to $75,000 per year for two years).

Additionally, the NCRG will offer an Addiction Fellowship ($85,000 per year for two years) to support postdoctoral research training to help prepare qualified individuals for careers that will have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of gambling disorders. This marks the first year that the NCRG will offer this type of grant funding specifically tailored for M.D.s and clinical Ph.D.s.

“The NCRG is pleased to be in a position to offer such high levels of grant funding in 2013,” said Christine Reilly, senior research director of the NCRG. “This year, we are excited to offer the Addiction Fellowship, which is the first fellowship of its kind in this field and will further help to translate research to practice.”

The NCRG is committed to a multi-disciplinary approach and, therefore, welcomes applications from investigators in psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, sociology, economics, neuroeconomics, neuroscience and other relevant disciplines. The organization is especially interested in research investigations that develop and test psychosocial or pharmacological approaches for prevention, intervention, treatment and relapse prevention of gambling disorders. Funding is available in the following categories:

Travel Grants –The Travel Grants program supports the attendance of postdoctoral investigators presenting a poster or paper on gambling disorders research at a scientific meeting in either 2013 or 2014. Applicants may request up to $1,500 in direct costs per year, and the principal investigator may apply for one travel grant per cycle. Applications will be accepted throughout 2013.

Seed Grants –The Seed Grants program supports small research projects that can be completed in one year. Applicants may request up to $25,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs of 15 percent of total direct costs) for a period not to exceed 12 months. Applications will be accepted throughout 2013.

Early Stage Investigator Grants –The Early Stage Investigator Grants program is intended to help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available to address the research needs of the field of gambling disorders. Eligible applicants are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or within 10 years of completing medical residency. Applicants may request up to $65,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs of 15 percent of total direct costs) for a period not to exceed 24 months. Applications are due May 1.

Large Grants –The Large Grants program provides up to two years of support for discrete, specified, circumscribed research projects related to gambling disorders. Applicants may request up to $75,000 in direct costs per year (plus indirect costs of 15 percent of total direct costs) for a period not to exceed 24 months. Letters of intent are due March 1, and full applications from invited applicants are due June 3.

Addiction Fellowship –The NCRG will award research grants to eligible institutions for the support of two-year postdoctoral research training focused on gambling disorders. Training activities can be in basic biomedical or clinical sciences, behavioral or social sciences, health services research or in any other discipline relevant to the NCRG’s mission. Priority will be given to research training for M.D. clinicians, but consideration will be given to programs training Ph.D. clinicians. Applicants may request up to $85,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs of 15 percent of total direct costs) per year for two years. Applications are due June 3.

The grants program is conducted under the direction of the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board, composed of leading scientists with expertise in the addictions and related fields. The Scientific Advisory Board is committed to ensuring the most rigorous standards in the selection of projects funded by the NCRG. The Scientific Advisory Board and the peer-review panels follow the National Institutes of Health criteria for scientific merit and peer-review procedures.

The NCRG is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research on gambling disorders. To learn more about the NCRG grants program and the impact of the research funded by 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.

Download the 2013 NCRG grant-funding brochure here.

/by

NCRG Awards $870,000 In 2012 To Support Research On Gambling Disorders

Jan 9, 2013

BEVERLY, MASS.– How do people adapt to new gambling opportunities? How much of an influence do peers have on gambling behavior? Can medications used to treat other addictions be repurposed for the treatment of gambling disorders? The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) awarded more than $870,000 in 2012 to support 10 new research projects that will answer these questions and help to improve methods of diagnosis, intervention, treatment and prevention of gambling disorders.

“We were extremely pleased with the innovation and rigor of the studies we funded in 2012 and are proud to increase our support by more than $325,000 over the previous year,” said Christine Reilly, senior research director of the NCRG. “Year after year, the NCRG’s research program continues to grow. Results from these projects will not only increase our understanding of pathological gambling, but allow us to translate research findings for effective treatment, prevention and public understanding.”

Recipients of these grants were selected in a rigorous review process led by the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board, which is composed of leading independent scientists with expertise in addictions and related fields. The Scientific Advisory Board and the peer-review panels follow the National Institutes of Health criteria for scientific merit and peer-review procedures.

The NCRG’s 2012 grants were awarded for the following research projects:

Seed Grants

  • “A Benchmark Study for Monitoring Exposure to New Gambling Opportunities” –Sarah Nelson, Ph.D., from the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, was awarded $28,750 to establish a baseline estimate of gambling behaviors and health within Massachusetts communities. With the recent legislation expanding gaming opportunities within the Commonwealth, the results from this online survey can be used as the benchmark for a future long-term longitudinal investigation of the effect of gambling expansion on public health.
  • “Sequential Decision Making and Illusionary Pattern Detection in Gamblers”– Andreas Wilke, Ph.D., from Clarkson University, was awarded $28,675 to use two novel computerized decision-making models to investigate gamblers’ perceptions when they decide to continue or stop betting on sequential events. Understanding how these patterns relate to gambling decisions may reveal important aspects of gambling behavior that could lead to new screening tools.
  • “Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Problem Gambling”– Katie Witkiewitz, Ph.D., from the University of New Mexico, was awarded $28,129 to evaluate if mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), a successful aftercare treatment for other psychological and substance use disorders, could be effective in the treatment of gambling disorders. Researchers hypothesize that individuals in treatment for gambling disorders who also receive MBRP will have significantly better gambling and substance use outcomes following treatment.

Early Stage Investigator Grants

  • “Stress Reactivity and Risk-taking Behavior in Pathological Gambling”– Iris Balodis, Ph.D., from Yale University School of Medicine, was awarded $64,797 to describe the connection between the sympathetic nervous system’s responses when an individual is either stressed or demonstrating risk-taking behaviors. Dr. Balodis and her team will examine how reactions to stress can predict measures of behavioral control and its implication in understanding addictive behaviors and responses.
  • “Expanding the Study of Actual Internet Gambling Behavior: Exposure and Adaptation within a Newly Opened Market”– Heather Gray, Ph.D., from the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, was awarded $141,362 to conduct an analysis of actual Internet gambling behavior in Iceland. This work is in partnership with Reykjavik University and the University of Iceland to study gamblers and gambling behavior, “high risk” gamblers and how people adapt to new gambling opportunities.
  • “The Peer Group Regulates Motivational Pathways to Gambling in Youth: Implications for Early Intervention”– Jennifer L Tackett, Ph.D., from the University of Houston, was awarded $64,880 to examine the ways in which youth use motivations to seek rewards and avoid punishments in order to explain pathways toward problematic gambling behavior. The study will also examine the influence of peers on gambling behavior.

Large Grants

  • “Web-based Screening and Brief Intervention for Disordered Gambling Among Emerging Adults”– Mary Larimer, Ph.D., from the University of Washington, was awarded $172,500 to investigate the effectiveness of brief interventions as a treatment option for adults ages 18 to 25. Dr. Larimer will recruit participants through social media to assess their gambling behavior, and will customize and assess a screen and brief intervention and examine its effectiveness on gambling disorders among this population.
  • “Evaluating the Potential of Mixed-Function Serotonergic Compounds for Treatment of Gambling Disorders” –T. Celeste Napier, Ph.D., from Rush University Medical Center, was awarded $172,500 to expedite the discovery and development of effective pharmacological treatment strategies for pathological gambling. The project will use unique rat models to determine if medications used for other diseases can be repurposed for the treatment of gambling disorders. The medications they have selected to test are already known to be safe when used by humans; therefore, successful outcomes from the studies can be rapidly and safely deployed.
  • “Characterization of Pathological Gambling as an Addictive Disorder” –Jeremiah Weinstock, Ph.D., from Saint Louis University, was awarded $168,824 to clarify the current shift of the perception of pathological gambling from impulse control disorder to an addiction. The research team will examine the biological stress response of people with pathological gambling and compare it with those who either have no addictions or substance use disorder. Because research has shown that stress responses have been linked to alcohol use disorders, this project could further explain pathological gambling’s role as an addictive disorder.

Travel Grants

  • “Creating Change: A Past-Focused Model for PTSD and Addictions” –Joni Utley, Psy.D., from VA Boston Healthcare System and VA Bedford/ Boston University School of Medicine, was awarded $1,500 to present a paper at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies conference on a new past-focused behavioral therapy model developed for comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addictions, including pathological gambling

In 2012, the NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research at the University of Minnesota and Yale University also completed their first stage of multi-year funding. The NCRG will continue to fund the Centers of Excellence program, and the next round of funding will be announced in early 2013.

The NCRG is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research on gambling disorders. To learn more about the impact of the research funded by 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

Latest Edition Of NCRG Monograph Series Examines Gambling Disorders From A Clinical Perspective

Increasing the Odds Provides Research Summaries to Help Clinicians Recognize, Understand and Treat Gambling Disorders

Nov 19, 2012

WASHINGTON – Health care providers who specialize in addiction face a host of challenges in their clinical practice, including growing pressure from insurers and the government to use evidence-based treatment practices. Because some clinicians may not screen for gambling disorders in their patient assessments, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today released the seventh volume ofIncreasing the Odds: A Series Dedicated to Understanding Gambling Disorders, an essential training guide necessary for any clinician to recognize, understand and treat gambling disorders. The NCRG’s monograph series provides easy-to-understand summaries of seminal peer-reviewed research on gambling disorders, as well as implications for future research and prevention efforts.

“The on-going national focus on both quality and efficiency of care demands that clinicians utilize quality, evidence-based information on clinical issues in their treatment protocols.” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. “This edition ofIncreasing the Oddswas designed to be a comprehensive toolkit for any clinician, whether they see clients with addictions or not, to use in their daily practice to better understand and treat gambling disorders.”

Titled “What Clinicians Need to Know about Gambling Disorders,” this publication covers the entire scope of the issue and gives the resources to apply the research findings in clinical settings. It includes in-depth research summaries from:

  • Nathan Smith, NCRG, on psychosocial and neurobiological factors in the development of gambling disorders
  • Ken C. Winters, Ph.D., and Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., L.P., University of Minnesota Medical School, on the latest findings on youth gambling
  • Dr. Stinchfield on the available instruments for identifying and diagnosing a gambling disorder
  • Jon E. Grant, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., University of Chicago, and Brian Odlaug, M.P.H., University of Chicago and University of Copenhagen on the latest treatment outcomes using psychosocial interventions
  • Marc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D., on the emerging research on drug treatments for gambling disorders.

An additional online component of thisIncreasing the Oddsedition is the inclusion of the many brief screens and assessment instruments for gambling disorders available on the NCRG’s website.

To download a free copy ofIncreasing the Oddsand view the assessment instruments, visit the NCRG website,www.ncrg.org/resources/publications/monographs. The first six volumes of the series, which address topics such as gambling and the brain, youth and gambling, the various aspects of gambling addiction recovery, gambling and public health and self-exclusion programs, are also available on the website. To request a hard copy of the seventh volume ofIncreasing the Odds, contact Amy Kugler at 202-552-2689 orakugler@ncrg.org.

For more information on 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

NCRG Board Of Directors And Scientific Advisory Board Collectively Add Five New Members

NCRG board additions enhance diversity of experience and leadership; New Scientific Advisory Board members provide expertise in Native American and youth populations

Nov 8, 2012

WASHINGTON –The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced that the board of directors elected Jonathan S. Halkyard, executive vice president and chief financial officer of NV Energy; Kathleen M. Scanlan, senior advisor of special projects for the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling; and Andrew S. Zarnett, managing director for Deutsche Bank, to join as members.

The NCRG Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) also added two members: Tammy Chung, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh; and Miriam Jorgensen, Ph.D., M.P.P., research director of the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy at the University of Arizona and research director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

NCRG Board of Directors

“I’m pleased that Jonathan, Kathleen and Andrew are joining the NCRG board, as I know that they will help us to further fulfill our mission to address gambling disorders and responsible gaming from all perspectives,” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. “Both Jonathan and Andrew bring a strategic economic perspective to understanding responsible gaming, and Kathy will help to guide our prevention and treatment educational initiatives for gambling disorders.”

Halkyard joined NV Energy in July 2012. Prior to joining NV Energy, Jonathan served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Caesars Entertainment. During his 13 years with Caesars, he held a number of key operations and finance positions including director of finance for Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, assistant general manager of Harrah’s and Harvey’s Lake Tahoe and assistant general manager of Harrah’s Las Vegas.

Scanlan has been with the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling since 1987, serving first as a program director and later becoming the organization’s executive director. There, she led the council to expand its programs and services, increase prevention efforts and grow online resources that reach minority populations. Since 2011, Scanlan’s role has been to oversee special initiatives of the council, most recently organizing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s public forum on prevention and education efforts to address gambling disorders in the state.

Zarnett currently serves as the co-head of high yield research and an analyst in the Gaming, Lodging and Leisure High Yield Debt division at Deutsche Bank.He also is a member of the executive committee of the Leverage Debt Group. Zarnett previously was a senior gaming equity analyst for the gaming, lodging and leisure division at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co.

The 11-member NCRG board of directors includes representatives from the gaming industry and the public health and regulatory communities. As the practical, hands-on management group of the organization, the board focuses on education and outreach program creation and implementation.

NCRG Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)

The SAB added Drs. Chung and Jorgenson to round out their membership of eight leading independent scientists with expertise in addiction and related topics.

“Drs. Chung and Jorgensen will be invaluable to the work of the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board thanks to their diverse research backgrounds,” said Linda Cottler, chair of the SAB and chair and dean’s professor of epidemiology in both the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. “One of the goals of the SAB is to expand research funding to better understand youth gambling and the impact of gaming on minority populations. Their leadership helps us do just that.”

Dr. Chung is a leading researcher in the field of substance abuse disorders, focusing on assessment, diagnosis and the course of these disorders in adolescent community and treatment samples. She is currently extending her research scope to include studies of brain functions to understand relapse and genetic factors among youth who are in treatment for addiction.

For the past 15 years, Dr. Jorgensen’s work has primarily focused on issues of governance and economic development in Indian Country, with a concentration on the ways individual Native nations’ social and cultural characteristics affect development. Her work extends from public health to gaming issues and has addressed the problems and concerns of First Nations in Canada.

The SAB plays a vital role by ensuring the NCRG follows rigorous standards in awarding grants for only the highest-quality research proposals. The board’s main responsibilities are to monitor the progress of the NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research and to evaluate the conduct of the project grants program, including the peer review process. Members also advise on the development of funding initiatives and educational activities.

For a complete list of members of the NCRG board of directors and Scientific Advisory Board, visitwww.ncrg.org.

/by

NCRG Honors Randy Stinchfield With 2012 Scientific Achievement Award

Dr. Stinchfield Recognized for Pioneering Contributions to the Field of Research on Gambling Disorders

Oct 1, 2012

WASHINGTON – The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) has announced that Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., L.P., associate director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research in the department of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School, is the recipient of the 2012 Scientific Achievement Award. The award will be presented at a luncheon today at The Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev., during the 13th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.

“On behalf of the NCRG, we are delighted to recognize Dr. Stinchfield with this prestigious honor for his contributions to the field of research on gambling disorders,” said Linda Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H., chairwoman of the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board, and chair and dean’s professor of epidemiology in both the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. “He is regarded by his peers as a pioneer, and his research in youth gambling, the assessment of gambling disorders and the measurement of treatment outcomes has paved the way for future studies in this growing field.”

Dr. Stinchfield has conducted some of the earliest and most significant research on youth gambling, including the first youth gambling survey in the U.S. He is the co-author of one of the most widely used instruments for youth gambling assessment around the world, named the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA). In a related track, Dr. Stinchfield has analyzed gambling behavior based on Minnesota Student Survey data administered to nearly all ninth- and 12th-grade public school students in the Minnesota every three years since 1992, which is now the largest database of youth gambling information in existence.

Dr. Stinchfield is a leading researcher in investigating the accuracy of instruments intended to measure and diagnose gambling problems, including the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, the most commonly used assessment instruments for both epidemiological and clinical work. He has calibrated the classification accuracy of both the SOGS andDSM-IV, which has led to a greater understanding of reported prevalence rates using these instruments.

Additionally, he conducted one of the first gambling treatment outcome studies. Aware of the dearth of assessments tools to track the effectiveness of treatment, Dr. Stinchfield and his colleagues developed the Gambling Treatment Outcome Monitoring System (GAMTOMS), which has been used to evaluate gambling treatment in Minnesota and across the nation.

Beyond his research, Dr. Stinchfield contributes to the field by serving on the editorial boards of a number of peer-review journals and serves as a board member of Northstar Alliance for Problem Gambling.

“He is one of the blue chip pioneers in gambling research,” said Ken C. Winters, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at the University of Minnesota. “The significant and enduring legacy of Dr. Stinchfield’s work is that he has conducted early and foundational research in these multiple tracks, and much of this work has significantly advanced the field.”

Recipients of the Scientific Achievement Award are selected by an independent committee of distinguished leaders in the field of addictions and gambling research. Members of the 2012 committee include Tammy Chung, Ph.D., Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D., Silvia Martins, M.D., Ph.D., Craig Nagoshi, Ph.D. and Katherine Spilde, Ph.D., M.B.A.

Previous recipients of the NCRG’s Scientific Achievement Award include Alex Blaszczynski, Ph.D.; Renee Cunningham-Williams, Ph.D., M.P.E., L.C.S.W.; Robert Custer, M.D.; Jon E. Grant, J.D., M.D., M.P.H.; Rina Gupta, Ph.D.; David C. Hodgins, Ph.D.; Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D.; Nancy Petry, Ph.D.; Marc N. Potenza, M.D., Ph.D.; Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.A.S.; Wendy S. Slutske, Ph.D.; Ken C. Winters, Ph.D.; and Suck Won Kim, M.D.

For NCRG Conference updates, including on-site reporting about the sessions and audio posts from leading researchers and industry representatives, visit the NCRG’s blog – Gambling Disorders 360° – and connect with the NCRG on Facebook and Twitter.

To obtain additional information on the NCRG’s conference, visit www.ncrg.org. To obtain press credentials for events related to the conference, or to arrange interviews with conference participants or Dr. Stinchfield, please contact Amy Kugler at 202-552-2689 or akugler@ncrg.org. While the conference is in progress Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, please contact Amy Kugler on-site at 225-910-2804.

/by

2012 NCRG Conference To Explore New Trends In Recovery, Research And Responsible Gaming

Sep 20, 2012

LAS VEGAS – A redefinition of recovery, health care reform, a growing minority population, new treatment approaches and the growth of online gambling are all trends that directly impact the way we treat, prevent and study gambling disorders and address responsible gaming.

The 13th annual National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) Conference on Gambling and Addiction – “Exploring New Trends in Recovery, Research and Responsible Gaming” – will examine these topics by translating the most up-to-date research into practical applications for prevention, recovery, research and responsible gaming. The NCRG Conference will precede Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the gaming industry’s premier international trade show and conference event.

WHAT:“Exploring New Trends in Recovery, Research and Responsible Gaming,”sponsored by the NCRG, in partnership with the NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research at the University of Minnesota and Yale University. Conference sessions will examine the following questions:

  • What does it mean to be “recovered” from a gambling disorder?
  • What does a recovery-oriented system of care look like, and how is pathological gambling integrated into such systems?
  • How can delivery of treatment services be improved?
  • How do we encourage individuals with gambling problems to increase participation in treatment programs?
  • How do treatment providers report on their use of funds, and how does the government and private sector evaluate the impact of these services?
  • How has the recent growth of online gambling affected the gaming landscape and impacted problem gambling?

NCRG Conference attendees can earn up to 14 continuing education hours approved by national and state certifying agencies.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30 – Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

WHERE: The Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian Las Vegas

WHO:Participants include leaders in the research, treatment, public health and gaming industry sectors, such as a former deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and national experts in addiction recovery.

Featured speakers include:

  • Alan Feldman, chairman, NCRG; senior vice president of public affairs, MGM Resorts International
  • H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., CAS, FASAM, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D., Université Laval
  • Alexandre B. Laudet, Ph.D., National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
  • Mark A. Lipparelli, Nevada Gaming Control Board
  • A. Thomas McLellan, Ph.D., Treatment Research Institute
  • Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., University of Minnesota

For NCRG Conference updates, including on-site reporting about the sessions and audio interviews with leading researchers and industry representatives, visit the NCRG’s blog –Gambling Disorders 360°– and connect with the NCRG onFacebookandTwitter.

To register for the conference, receive a full schedule of conference events and schedule interviews, please contact Amy Kugler at 202-552-2689 orakugler@ncrg.org. While the conference is in progress Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, please contact Amy Kugler on-site at 225-910-2804. A conference schedule also is available on the NCRG’s website,www.ncrg.org.

/by

NCRG Expands Reach Of Curriculum To Address Youth Gambling

An estimated 445,000 students and families will receive the science-based educational material

Sep 13, 2012

WASHINGTON— As middle and high school students head back to the classroom, more than 1,875 teachers throughout the U.S. will receive the “Know the Odds” educational program, created through a partnership between the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) and Young Minds Inspired (YMI). In its second year, this educational program will be used to encourage teachers and parents to help students understand the warning signs of problem gambling and the facts about underage gambling. It also offers helpful guidelines for those who suspect their children might have a problem with gambling or other risky behaviors. The program was developed based on the NCRG’s brochure“Talking with Children about Gambling.”

“We are pleased to partner again with Young Minds Inspired to get this information in the hands of as many students, teachers and parents as possible,” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. “Educating young people early about gambling problems – and ensuring their parents are informed – is key to helping prevent the issue before it starts.”

“Know the Odds” arrived in schools on September 11 in the following communities: Philadelphia, Penn.; San Diego, Calif.; Chicago, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, N.V.; Miami, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Atlantic City, N.J.; and Biloxi, Miss. Training materials in the teacher’s kit include a program guide, classroom posters and handouts for students and parents that meet both national education standards and practical classroom needs. The NCRG’s brochure “Talking with Children about Gambling” will also be distributed to help parents understand how to address underage gambling with their children. All materials are free of charge for the schools.

“Talking with Children about Gambling” was developed in consultation with the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The publication provides a clear explanation of the warning signs for youth gambling and relevant approaches that parents can take to help their children and address the issue.

A downloadable copy of “Talking with Children about Gambling” is available in the Public Education and Outreach section on the NCRG website,www.ncrg.org. To request copies of the brochure, please contact Amy Kugler at 202-552-2689 orakugler@ncrg.org.

/by

Guidebook Series Aims To Increase Public Awareness Of Gambling Disorders

The NCRG’s first edition offers resources for human resources and employee assistance professionals about pathological gambling and responsible gaming

Jul 30, 2012

WASHINGTON –Human resources (HR) and employee assistance (EA) professionals are often trained to help employees with addiction and other mental health issues, but are not always equipped with the knowledge and resources when it comes to pathological gambling. To help address this issue, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today introduced the first edition of itsGambling and Healthseries, a suite of publications designed to educate specific audiences about gambling disorders and responsible gaming, as well as the resources available for those who may need help. The first volume, “Gambling and Health in the Workplace,’ is an educational resource to help HR and EA managers learn about gambling disorders, encourage responsible decisions when gambling and understand practical ways to assist and refer individuals with gambling problems.

‘Helping employees with addiction is an important part of health promotion in the workplace, and many EA professionals and HR managers are not as familiar with gambling disorders as they are with alcohol and drug problems,’ said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. ‘This guide is designed with those professionals in mind as a way to bridge the gap between research and practice and equip them with the tools necessary to help them in their daily lives.”

The guide provides the latest research on gambling disorders, frequently asked questions that HR and EA professionals might face in the workplace, characteristics of pathological gambling that they may see in an employee’s behavior and ways to help educate employees about responsible gaming. Additionally, there is a one-page flyer for employees that outlines facts about the issue and resources to learn more about gambling addiction. The guide and one-pager are available as free downloads atwww.ncrg.org/gamblingandhealth.

‘Gambling and Health in the Workplace’ was developed under the guidance of an advisory committee of leaders in the HR and EA fields, drawing experience from government, the commercial gaming industry and mental health clinicians. It is being released in conjunction with Responsible Gaming Education Week, an annual program coordinated by the American Gaming Association and the National Center for Responsible Gaming designed to provide gaming companies and affiliated national organizations with an opportunity to expand on work they do every day to educate employees and patrons about gambling disorders and how to gamble responsibly.

For more information or to download a free copy of the guidebook, visitwww.ncrg.org/gamblingandhealth.

/by

NCRG Visits Miami For 2012 Annual Education Summit

Research Experts and NCRG Leadership to Meet with Key Stakeholders Provide the Latest Research on Gambling Disorders and Best Practices for Responsible Gaming Programs

Apr 30, 2012

MIAMI– Promoting responsible gaming practices and the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for gambling disorders are important initiatives that all community members – legislators, regulators, researchers, treatment professionals, industry representatives and informed citizens – can help support.

To address these issues, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today kicked off its 2012 Annual Education Summit in Miami, Fla., where representatives from the organization are meeting with a variety of stakeholders to share information about the latest research on gambling disorders, inform them of science-based programs and resources the NCRG has to offer and provide suggestions for building partnerships to address gambling disorders and encourage responsible gaming.

‘In a state with an already active gambling population, educating the public about responsible gaming is critical,’ said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. ‘The NCRG’s Annual Education Summit provides an opportunity to gather those with a shared interest and explain the NCRG’s work to advance research, education and awareness of gambling disorders and responsible gaming and how these issues impact Florida and the nation.’

The 2012 Annual Education Summit events include:

Mental Health Community Leaders Meeting

Monday, April 30, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Univeristy of Miami, Newman Alumni Center

The NCRG and the Florida Council on Community Mental Health will co-host a roundtable discussion of how mental health experts can use research findings in their daily practice and how collaborative efforts can effectively address gambling disorders in their community. Speakers will include Mr. Feldman; Carlos Blanco, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and director of the Gambling Disorders Clinic at Columbia University Medical Center; Ken Winters, Ph.D., member of the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board and professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse and Research at the University of Minnesota; and Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG.

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Tuesday, May 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 1601 Biscayne Bay Blvd., Ray Goode Rider Conference Room

In partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the NCRG will co-host a luncheon presentation to discuss how the greater community can collaborate to address gambling disorders and responsible gaming across the state of Florida. Keynote speakers Mr. Feldman and Dr. Winters will discuss the latest advancements in the field of gambling research, resources offered by the NCRG and the importance of corporate social responsibility.

College Gambling Roundtable

Tuesday, May 1, 3:30 – 5 p.m. – University of Miami, Newman Alumni Center

Representatives from Miami-area colleges and universities will gather at the NCRG’s roundtable discussion to share resources and best practices on how to address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. Dr. Winters and Ms. Reilly will provide an overview of the NCRG’s newest resource, CollegeGambling.org, and facilitate a discussion to find ways that the NCRG and participating colleges and universities can collaborate and strengthen education programs about college gambling.

Workshop for Treatment Providers

Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m. – noon – Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Building 3

To provide the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and effective methods to screen clients, the NCRG and the Florida Psychological Association will co-host a free workshop for Florida clinicians, counselors and social workers. Dr. Winters will provide an overview of gambling disorders in both you and adult populations and will discuss the screening and assessment strategies tailored to each group. Dr. Blanco will also give a brief update on the prevalence of and latest trends in gambling disorders among the Hispanic community.

The NCRG’s visit to Miami marks the sixth Annual Education Summit. Events have previously been held in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Mass.; Denver and Central City/Black Hawk, Colo.; Chicago, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Philadelphia, Pa.

To schedule interviews with participants, please contact Amy Martin at 202-552-2689 oramartin@ncrg.org. For more information about the NCRG and the Annual Education Summit, visit www.ncrg.org. To stay up-to-date on the events, visit the NCRG’s blog –Gambling Disorders 360°– and connect with the NCRG onFacebookandTwitter.

/by

Free Online Resource Educates Universities And Students About College Gambling During Ncaa Tournament

The NCRG’s CollegeGambling.org Offers Tools for Campus Officials, Parents & Students

Mar 13, 2012

WASHINGTON— It’s no secret that one of the most popular ways people enjoy the national college basketball tournament is by placing a friendly wager with a friend or co-worker. But, for some, wagering of any kind brings with it unintended negative consequences.

As the NCAA college basketball tournament approaches, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is launching a public awareness initiative to encourage college administrators, campus health professionals and students to learn more about college gambling and gambling-related harms. The campaign also helps to educate students who are of legal age about how to make responsible decisions about gambling.

The centerpiece of the campaign iswww.CollegeGambling.org, a science-based resource developed by the NCRG to help colleges and universities address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. The website brings together the latest research and best practices in responsible gaming and the field of addiction awareness and prevention. CollegeGambling.org provides free resources for university administrators, campus health professionals, students and parents to help address this issue in the way best suited to the needs of each campus. To view the NCRG’s multimedia release about CollegeGambling.org, which includes interviews and information about how the website can be used on campus, visithttp://www.multivu.com/mnr/54256-ncrg-resource-educates-universities-and-students-about-college-gambling.

“As we head into the peak of the college basketball season, it’s important to provide college students with resources to learn more about gambling problems on college campuses,” said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG. “The NCRG remains committed to helping schools educate students about the risks of gambling disorders and provide recovery-oriented measures for those who need help.”

Research finds that 75 percent of college students gambled during the past year (whether legally or illegally, on campus or off), and one in five of those students may have placed a bet on a sports game or other game of skill.

“While a majority of those old enough to legally gamble can do so responsibly, research estimates that 6 percent of U.S. college students have some form of gambling problem that can result in psychological difficulties, unmanageable debt and failing grades,” said Christine Reilly, senior research director of the NCRG. “For those who are not of legal age to gamble, there is no level of responsible gambling.”

CollegeGambling.org provides collateral materials about college gambling and responsible gaming, such as brochures, fact sheets, posters and toolkits. The website also houses customizable presentations that university counselors, peer educators and student leaders can use during their educational programming opportunities. The website materials are available as free downloads.

“Universities are expected to provide a variety of types of support for students, and institutions often look for outside resources to help address these issues,” said Karin Dittrick-Nathan, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at the University of Denver and member of the NCRG’s Task Force on College Gambling Policies. “One such resource is CollegeGambling.org – it offers a range of resources for campuses to easily integrate into their own educational programs and policies.”

The NCRG strongly encourages all colleges and universities to link to CollegeGambling.org from their institutions’ websites to help distribute the research and resources to all faculty, staff and students.

For more information, visitwww.CollegeGambling.org. To learn more about the NCRG, visitwww.ncrg.org. To view the multimedia release, visithttp://www.multivu.com/mnr/54256-ncrg-resource-educates-universities-and-students-about-college-gambling.

/by