NCRG’S 12th Annual Conference To Focus On The Impact Of Technology On Treatment, Research And Responsible Gaming

Sessions to Feature New Research and Best Practices by Leading Experts; Conference to Coincide with Global Gaming Expo

Jul 12, 2011

WASHINGTON–For its12thannual Conference on Gambling and Addiction, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) will explore the various ways technology can transform how we research, understand and promote recovery from gambling disorders and other addictions. The event is scheduled for Oct. 2-4, 2011 at The Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev.

The 2011 conference –’Risk or Reward? The Impact of Technology on Treatment, Research and Responsible Gaming’ – will bring together the world’s leading addiction scientists, clinicians and academicians with health care professionals, gaming industry representatives, government officials and regulators to discuss the most pressing issues in the field of gambling disorders and responsible gaming. The conference will be presented by the NCRG in partnership with the NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research at the University of Minnesota and Yale University, and in conjunction with the Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

‘For more than a decade, the NCRG Conference has provided a unique forum where the various stakeholders in the field of gambling disorders from around the world come together to discuss the latest research, share best practices and explore real-world applications for new scientific findings,’ said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. ‘This year’s conference will include sessions that examine how technological developments provide new ways to understand addiction, identify treatment methods, promote recovery and develop effective educational programs.’

Sessions at the 2011 conference will examine a variety of compelling issues and topics, including research on Internet gambling, Web-based interventions for gambling disorders, the impact of slot machines on problematic gambling behavior, how gaming companies can use new technology to promote responsible gaming programs, and much more.

The NCRG also will host three pre-conference workshops Sunday, Oct. 2. Two of the workshops are intended for treatment providers in clinical practice and require an additional fee. They will explore impulse control problems and motivational interviewing for treatment of gambling problems. The third workshop is complimentary and will provide advice for investigators on how to develop competitive grant proposals. Separate registration is required for all workshops.

NCRG Conference attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 13 continuing education hours approved by heath care certifying agencies, including NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals; the California Foundation for the Advancement of Addiction Professionals (CFAAP); the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); the National Association of Social Workers (NASW); the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders; the Employee Assistance Certification Commission (EACC); and the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers. Additionally, the NCRG is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

The 12thannual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will continue its partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the premier gaming industry trade show and conference event, to make essential information about gambling disorders available to a wider audience. This is the first year that the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction and G2E will co-locate, making it easier for attendees of both events to learn the best practices in responsible gaming. ‘NCRG at G2E’ sessions are part of G2E’s corporate social responsibility conference track and this year will highlight elements of effective responsible gaming strategies, including sessions on how to use the Internet to promote responsible gaming and an examination of responsible gaming programs around the world.

As part of the 2011 conference, the NCRG will present its annual Scientific Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the study of gambling-related disorders. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 1, 2011.

For more information about the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction, or to register, visit the NCRG’s conference website (www.ncrg.org/conference). 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.

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NCRG Announces New Additions To Its Scientific Advisory Board

Leading Experts in the Research on Addictions and Community Health Selected to Guide the NCRG’s Funding Process

Sep 15, 2011

WASHINGTON –The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) announced today it has added Mark S. Gold, M.D., and David Takeuchi, Ph.D., to the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board. These two distinguished researchers and professors will help to enhance the Scientific Advisory Board’s ability to ensure that the NCRG follows rigorous standards in awarding grants, monitor the work of the NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research and advise the NCRG on funding initiatives and educational activities. The NCRG is the the only national organization devoted to funding peer-reviewed research on gambling disorders and creating public education initiatives to help increase the understanding of pathological and youth gambling and find effective treatment methods of gambling disorders and youth gambling.

“I am very pleased to welcome Drs. Gold and Takeuchi to the NCRG’s Scientific Advisory Board,” said Linda B. Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair of the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board and chair of the department of epidemiology at the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine. “Their expertise in addiction and the role of psychiatry in community health settings will bring great insight to the board and an added depth to the research that the NCRG funds.”

Dr. Gold is the Donald Dizney Eminent Scholar, distinguished professor and chair of psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Prior to assuming the position as chair, he was also a professor in the departments of psychiatry, community health and family medicine, neuroscience and anesthesiology. He is also a member of the McKnight Brain Institute. Dr. Gold is a teacher of the year, researcher and inventor who has worked for nearly 40 years to develop models for understanding the effects of tobacco, cocaine and other drugs on the brain and behavior. His translational research models have led to new treatment approaches for those with addictions.

Dr. Takeuchi is the associate dean for research and a professor of sociology in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. He is well-known for his research on social inequalities and health, and his research focuses on investigating the social structural and cultural contexts that are associated with different outcomes, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. Dr. Takeuchi was recently awarded the University of Washington’s Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award for his exceptional work with graduate students.

“The work of the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board is vital to the life of the organization,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “Their knowledge of gambling disorders and addiction research, combined with their guidance in evaluating complex research designs, can truly help elevate the field of research on gambling disorders to a new level.”

For more information on how the NCRG funds research and the stringent firewalls in place to ensure the integrity of research projects,view the NCRG funding chart

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NCRG Launches Regional Educational Training Series For Mental Health, Addiction Treatment Providers

Workshops will give clinicians research updates, treatment strategies related to gambling disorders and addictions

Aug 29, 2011

The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced that it will host six regional workshops this year that will allow treatment providers to better understand the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and apply those findings to their clinica​l practice. Each training session will feature leading researchers and clinicians in the field of gambling disorders, and topics will range from screenings and assessments for pathological gambling to new manuals detailing behavioral treatment strategies. Most sessions are free of charge and will offer between 1.5 and two continuing education hours for attendees.

“A core mission of the NCRG is to encourage the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies – and the NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series does just that,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “We are pleased to be a resource for clinicians and to bring them face-to-face with researchers who can help translate their findings into practical real-world strategies for treatment providers and their clients.”

The 2011 NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop Series started with a July 26 session, titled “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Problem Gambling,” that was led by Dr. Lisa Najavits from the Boston University School of Medicine and co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling. Remaining sessions include:

Iowa City, Iowa –“Update on Gambling Disorders: Advanced Training on Predictors, Comorbidity and Course”

Date and Location:August 30, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST, University of Iowa North Hall, Room 103

Speaker:Dr. Donald Black, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Co-sponsor:Iowa Gambling Treatment Program, Iowa Department of Public Health

Cost:Free

San Diego, Calif. – “Screening and Assessment of Pathological Gambling”

Date and Location:September 20, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. PST, National Conference on Addictive Disorders

Speaker:Dr. Randy Stinchfield, University of Minnesota

Co-sponsor:NAADAC, The Association For Addiction Professionals

Cost:$550; This session is a part of the National Conference on Addictive Disorders. For registration information, please visit theNational Conference on Addictive Disorders website.

Las Vegas, Nev. – “Overcoming Impulse Control – A Guide for Therapists”

Date and Location:October 1, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. PST, The Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian

Speaker:Dr. Jon Grant, University of Minnesota

Co-sponsor:Nevada Council for Problem Gambling

Cost:Free

Las Vegas, Nev. – “Motivational Interviewing for Clients with Gambling Problems”

Date and Location:October 2, 10:00 a.m. – noon PST, The Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian

Speaker:Dr. David C. Hodgins, University of Calgary

Cost:This session is a pre-conference training for the 12th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction. For registration information, please visit theNCRG Conference registration website.

Detroit, Mich. – “Brief Motivational Interventions for Problem Gambling”

Date and Location:October 25, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST, The Virtual Center for Excellence at the Guidance Center, Southgate Campus

Speaker:Dr. Matthew Martens, University of Missouri, Columbia

Co-sponsors:Neighborhood Service Organization, Michigan Association for Problem Gambling and the Virtual Center for Excellence, Detroit – Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency

Cost:Free

The NCRG plans to host workshops in other cities in the years ahead. Those interested in hosting a workshop in their community should contact NCRG communications and outreach manager Amy Martin at amartin@ncrg.org or 202-552-2689. For more information on the NCRG’s educational initiatives, visithttp://www.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.

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NCRG Partners With Young Minds Inspired To Develop Curriculum Addressing Youth Gambling

Educational materials will reach more than 94,000 students and families to explain the facts about underage gambling

Sep 7, 2011

WASHINGTON –The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced it will launch its back to school initiative with Young Minds Inspired (YMI) to create a new educational program titled “Know the Odds.” This resource will be used to encourage teachers and parents to help students understand the warning signs of problem gambling and the facts about underage gambling. The program was developed based on the NCRG’s brochure “Talking with Children about Gambling” and was distributed to middle and high school students in 418 schools as they began the school year.

“Know the Odds” arrived in schools on September 6 in three communities: Las Vegas, N.V., 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 included to help parents understand how to address underage gambling with their children. All materials are free of charge for the schools.

“The NCRG is excited about this partnership and the potential it holds to getting youth gambling information in the hands of parents, teachers and students,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “With an estimated 70 percent of Americans aged 14 to 19 years gambling in 2009, these issues need to be highlighted by educators and addressed by families to assist their children.”

“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 on the NCRG website. To request copies of the brochure, please contact Amy Martin at 202-552-2689 oramartin@ncrg.org.

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$1 Million In Research Grants Awarded To Study Gambling Disorders

Survey of College Gambling Habits One of Eight New Projects Taking Diverse Approaches to Scientific Exploration of the Issue

Sep 6, 2006

Washington, D.C. – Can animal behavior teach us about pathological gambling? What are the gambling patterns of college students? And how does brain function differ between at-risk and non-problem gamblers? Scientists may begin to develop the answers to these questions and more thanks to $1 million in new research grants announced today by the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders. The grants, awarded on behalf of the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG), bring the organization’s total dollar amount awarded since 1996 to nearly $15 million.

Recipients of the eight new grants were selected by the Institute’s peer review panel, a group of distinguished researchers in the field of addictions appointed annually by the Institute to select the research grant awards. The panel reviewed 40 grant proposals submitted in response to three requests for applications. Of the eight grants awarded, three projects focus on neuroscience, three are incentive projects providing seed money to new investigators entering the field of pathological gambling research, and two are translational projects, supporting research that can be applied to prevention and intervention strategies.

“Supporting high quality scientific research is crucial to understanding the drivers behind not only gambling disorders, but all addictive disorders,” said Phil Satre, chairman of the NCRG and former chairman and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. “And with every grant awarded by the NCRG and the Institute, we are one step closer to improved methods of diagnosis, intervention, treatment and addiction prevention.”

The following studies were awarded funding in their respective categories:

Neuroscience Research on Gambling Disorders
• Donald W. Black, M.D. from the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa received a $172,500 grant to study how disordered gamblers differ from non-problem gamblers in executive function, attention, and impulsivity and how these deficits influence poor decision-making and the development of gambling disorders.

• Brett A. Clementz, Ph.D. from the University of Georgia was awarded $167,088 to compare the brain activity of healthy gamblers and disordered gamblers while engaging in behavioral tasks of decision-making.

• Jacob Linnet, Ph.D. from the Arhaus University Hospital in Denmark was awarded $149,185 to investigate the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in pathological gambling and its relationship with the distorted thinking characteristic of gamblers who continue to place wagers despite mounting losses and adverse consequences to their personal lives.

Grants for Translational Research on Gambling and Gambling Disorders
• Edward Gottheil, M.D., Ph.D. from the University of Washington was awarded $172,500 to explore whether the cues and motivations of disordered gamblers are always the same or if they vary between different types of gambling. The study will also consider the relationship between gambling and alcohol use.

• Anne Helen Skinstad, Ph.D from the University of Iowa and the Prairielands Addiction Technology Transfer Center was awarded $168,941 to conduct a national survey of gambling treatment professionals and develop a strategy for creating an evidence-based curriculum for delivery to gambling treatment professionals.

Incentive Grants for New Investigators
• Catharine A. Winstanley, Ph.D. from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center was awarded $57,500 to investigate the viability of an animal model of gambling behavior that will provide insights into the neural and neurochemical basis of gambling disorders.

• Shelly B. Flagel, Ph.D. from the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute at the University of Michigan received $56,197 to experiment with an animal model for pathological gambling that addresses both the impulsivity and risk-taking dimensions of the disorder by studying rats selectively bred on the basis of a novelty-seeking trait.

• Anna E. Goudrian, Ph.D. from the University of Missouri was awarded $57,436 to examine changes over time in gambling patterns, as well as the incidence of at-risk gambling and gambling problems, in a four-year longitudinal study of 2,400 college students.
According to Christine Reilly, executive director of the Institute, the goal for these new projects is to continue building the knowledge base about gambling disorders. “We are especially excited about the two animal studies which have the potential to change the way research is done. This is truly uncharted territory for the field of gambling studies,” Reilly said.

The Institute for Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders was created in 2000 when the NCRG awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Harvard Medical School and transferred research grant making responsibilities to the Division on Addictions. Led by Dr. Howard Shaffer, associate professor of psychology in psychiatry at Harvard, the Institute’s internal research program has conducted some of the most seminal investigations in the field of pathological gambling research including the first reliable prevalence estimates, the first national study of college gambling and the first study of the health risks of casino employees.

In addition to the management of the NCRG’s grants program, the Institute also co-sponsors the annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction, which is a highlight of the NCRG’s education initiatives. This year’s conference will take place November 12-14 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For more information about education and research initiatives by the National Center for Responsible Gaming or the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders call Christine Reilly at 701-306-8604 or visitwww.ncrg.orgorwww.divisiononaddictions.org/institute.

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5th Annual Conference Web Log

Session summaries available

Dec 3, 2004

Session summaries available

December 3, 2004

– Selected session summaries from the conference will be available daily December 6 through December 8, 2004.
[DETAILS]

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5th Annual NCRG Conference To Examine Disordered Gambling, Potential Relationship Among All Addictions

Sessions Will Focus on Practical Applications of Latest Addictions Research; 3rd Annual Scientific Achievement Awards Will Honor Outstanding Contributions in Disordered Gambling Research

Oct 20, 2004

WASHINGTON—Health risks for casino employees, problem gambling issues among Native American communities, drug treatments for gambling and substance use disorders, and regulating gaming and its potential health consequences in a global economy are just some of the topics to be featured at the fifth annual National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) Conference on Gambling and Addiction, offering a comprehensive examination of international responsible gaming issues from the public policy, industry, legal and scientific perspectives.

Scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the 2004 conference, themed Gambling and Addiction: Shared Causes, Managing Consequences, will highlight recent research that challenges common perceptions about addiction. According to scientists, these new findings suggest that individual substance use and behavioral disorders might be distinctive expressions of the same underlying “syndrome.”

“The concept of an addiction syndrome has significant implications for academics and health care professionals, as well as representatives from the gaming industry and government,” said Dr. Howard Shaffer, director of Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions. “Looking at the shared causes of addictive behaviors prompts us to consider new ways of studying and treating pathological gambling and related addictive disorders, which could lead to more effective treatment strategies at the clinical level, as well as better informed responsible gaming activities in the gaming community.”

This year’s conference offers a unique opportunity for representatives from the gaming industry and government to engage in dialogue with the world’s leading scientific and clinical professionals. The conference will focus on new addiction research and the implications for managing the consequences of disordered gambling and other addictive disorders. As in 2003, the conference will feature two distinct conference tracks aimed at examining advances in research and treatment, as well as practical applications for members of the gaming industry, gaming regulators, attorneys and elected officials. The “Scientific and Clinical” track is co-sponsored by the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions.

“With the debut of the dual-conference-track program last year, we made significant progress in developing a comprehensive public health approach to disordered gambling,” said NCRG Chairman Dennis Eckart. “More than 300 professionals from around the world attended last year’s event, and we expect interest to be even higher this year. With the leading minds in science, government, gaming and other sectors coming together, I have no doubt the discussion and collaboration that takes place at this event will have a dramatic affect on how we manage disordered gambling at a variety of levels.”

This year’s “Scientific and Clinical” conference track will feature cutting-edge research on gambling and other addictive disorders. Discussion topics include the causes of addictive disorders; drug treatments for gambling and substance use disorders; treating co-occurring disorders; and addiction in the age of terrorism and stress. Featured speakers include Shaffer; Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Laval University; and Lisa Najavits, Ph.D., director of the Trauma Research Program in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program at McLean Hospital; among others.

A parallel group of sessions in a “Government and Industry” track will include topics ranging from understanding gambling and its potential health consequences to health risks for casino employees, problem gambling issues in tribal casinos, challenges of operationalizing the AGA Code of Conduct, regulating gaming and its potential health consequences in a global economy, and more. Featured speakers in this track include Timothy Hinkley, president and COO of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc; Peter Dean, chairman of the Gaming Board of Great Britain; and Nelson Westrin, vice chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission; among others.

Conference participants will be free to attend sessions from either track, allowing individuals to select the program elements most appropriate to their needs. Additionally, the conference will offer several plenary sessions open to everyone, featuring such topics as what genetics and brain scans tell us about gambling and substance use disorders, the history of luck in America, gambling and health in Indian Country, and more. The conference will culminate with a “Town Hall” meeting providing a forum for discussion among all attendees. Featured plenary speakers include T. Jackson Lears, Ph.D., the Board of Governors Professor of History at Rutgers University; Spero Manson, Ph.D., professor in psychiatry and head of the Division of American Indian and Alaska Native Programs at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Charles Wellford, chairman of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of Pathological Gambling; and The Hon. Lana Oleen, majority leader of the Kansas Senate.

As part of the 2004 conference, the NCRG will also hold its third annual Scientific Achievement Awards program to honor outstanding contributions to the study of gambling and gambling-related problems. Two recipients will be honored at the awards ceremony: The Young Investigator Award will recognize an individual for excellence in scientific contributions to the field of gambling during the first 10 years of his or her post-doctoral career; and the Senior Investigator Award will honor an investigator whose body of work has advanced the field of gambling-related research. The NCRG recently distributed an international request for nominations for these prestigious awards (visitwww.ncrg.orgfor more information). The deadline for nominations is Sept. 10, 2004.

The 5th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will be held Dec. 5-7 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Visitwww.ncrg.orgto register for the event and view the full conference program.

The NCRG, the only national organization devoted exclusively to public education about and funding of peer-reviewed research on disordered gambling, was established in 1996. The NCRG supports the finest peer-reviewed basic and applied research on gambling disorders; encourages the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic intervention and treatment strategies; and enhances public awareness of pathological and youth gambling. To date, the casino industry and related businesses have committed more than $12 million to this effort, and the NCRG has issued more than $8 million in support of groundbreaking research on gambling disorders. In 2000, the NCRG established the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders at Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions. For more information, visitwww.ncrg.org.

The Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders is a program of the Division on Addictions at Harvard Medical School. In accordance with the Harvard University name policy, the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders should not be referred to as the “Harvard Institute…” or the “Harvard Medical School Institute…” For more information about the use of the Harvard name,visithttp://www.hms.harvard.edu/fa/use_of_the_Harvard_name.html.

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7th Annual NCRG Conference On Gambling And Addiction Shifts Dates To Coincide With Global Gaming Expo

Conference to Explore Challenges of Translating Research into Best Practices

May 25, 2006

Washington, D.C. – The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced its 7th Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction is shifting its dates to November to coincide with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the world’s premiere gaming event and the industry’s largest source of news, products ideas and information about what’s driving the future of gaming. Taking place Nov. 12-14 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the conference will focus on the challenges involved in translating the science of gambling disorders into best practices for reducing gambling-related harms.

The goal of the date change is to increase exposure for the NCRG and the latest gambling research among G2E’s more than 26,000 attendees, as well as heighten interaction between operators and healthcare professionals, fostering a united commitment to work together to combat gambling related harms through research and education. G2E is scheduled for Nov. 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The NCRG is committed to creating science-based public education, training and program support for communities, treatment providers and the gaming industry. By aligning our event with G2E, we hope to foster a more lively exchange of ideas within the field of gambling research and, ultimately, expand the positive impact of this vital research within casino communities not only in the U.S., but around the world,” said Phil Satre, chairman of the NCRG and former chairman and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment.

This year’s conference, themed Lost in Translation? The Challenge of Turning Good Research into Best Practices, will call on members of the healthcare community, academia, the gaming industry and the public sector from around the globe to come together to focus on the myriad issues involved in translating good research into best practices, one of the key goals of the NCRG in the coming years. The event is co-sponsored by the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

“Everyone who has a stake in this industry wants to know if we are ready to take the knowledge we have gained through research, specifically over the past 10 years, and actually use it to create best practices that will help strengthen responsible gaming programs, clinical programs and methodologies, gaming regulations and public policy,” said Satre. “We think now is the time to address these challenges.”

Session topics will include discussions of cross-cultural issues in treating addiction, global approaches to responsible gaming, an analysis of the nation’s gambling helpline system, responsible gaming in cyberspace, new research on a potential genetic link for gambling disorders, a debate on the boundaries of responsible gaming, the risks of junk science to public policy and public health, and much more.

As in previous years, the conference will feature two distinct tracks. The “Scientific and Clinical” track will examine advances in research and treatment, and the “Government and Industry” track will explore practical applications for members of the gaming industry, gaming regulators, attorneys and elected officials. Conference participants will be free to attend sessions from either track, allowing individuals to select the program elements most appropriate to their needs. Plenary sessions focused on broader issues raised by viewing gambling as a public health concern also will be offered to all conference goers.

As part of the 2006 conference, the NCRG also will hold its sixth annual Scientific Achievement Awards program, which honors outstanding contributions to the study of gambling and gambling-related problems. The NCRG will distribute an international request for nominations for these prestigious awards in the near future.

To obtain more information on the NCRG’s 7th Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction, including a full program outline, visitwww.ncrg.org. Additional details and registration information will be updated on the Web site in the coming weeks.

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The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. Founded in 1996 as a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization, the NCRG’s mission is to support peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological gambling and provide scientifically-based responsible gaming education and outreach programs to casino communities nationwide. For more information, visitwww.ncrg.org.

NCRG funds provide money to researchers from around the globe to increase understanding of pathological gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The funds are distributed through the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information, visitwww.divisiononaddictions.org/institute.

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8th Annual NCRG Conference To Examine Conventional Wisdom About Gambling Disorders And Recovery

World Renowned Researchers to Present Latest Findings; Conference to Coincide with Global Gaming Expo

May 16, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC:The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced that its 8th Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction will examine the “conventional wisdom” surrounding gambling disorders to separate fact from fiction in the search for concrete, research-based solutions to prevent and treat gambling-related disorders. The event, to be held Nov. 11-13 at the Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, will bring together renowned researchers, clinicians, regulators, policy-makers and industry representatives to discuss groundbreaking advancements related to gambling disorders and to help determine the best way to adapt these findings into practical, real-world applications.

The theme of the conference –Responsible Gaming, Regulation and Recovery: Testing Conventional Wisdom– reflects the growing need to scrutinize responsible gaming practices, public health policies, regulations, and strategies for recovery, which often are founded on conventional wisdom rather than scientific evidence, by examining the latest research results in this field.

“By testing conventional wisdom, we can make certain to use solid scientific evidence to support and develop the most effective prevention, treatment, and public education programs to address disordered gambling,” said Phil Satre, chairman of the NCRG and former chairman and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. “The NCRG always has been committed to supporting peer-reviewed, independent research about gambling disorders because research-based solutions ensure long-term, proven effectiveness. This conference brings together the members of all the groups who are affected by this issue.”

Co-sponsored by the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the NCRG conference will once again coincide with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the gaming industry’s largest international trade show and conference, to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center November 13-15.

NCRG conference sessions will feature panels of leading experts from academia, the health care sector, government, and the gaming industry. Sessions will explore topics including why people don’t always seek treatment, whether exposure to new gambling leads to gambling problems, the latest research on drug treatments for gambling disorders and risks for older adults who gamble. Other topics include public health policy, the use of traditional medicine to treat addiction in Native American communities, innovative approaches such as gambling court, the potential for warning messages on gaming machines, and the 50thanniversary of Gamblers Anonymous.

As in years past, the conference will feature two distinct tracks focusing on issues of particular interest to the scientific and clinical communities as well as practical applications for members of the gaming industry, gaming regulators, attorneys, and elected officials. Plenary sessions will focus on issues of broader concern such as the direction of public policy on gambling.

G2E also is strengthening its ties with this year’s NCRG event, as the final morning of the NCRG conference will bring attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center where “NCRG at G2E” sessions will be featured as part of G2E’s new corporate social responsibility track. NCRG-sponsored sessions will focus on responsible gaming and its impact on the casino floor; an insiders glance at EMERGE, a science-based employee training program; and new developments in gambling litigation. The sessions will be open to all G2E and NCRG conference attendees. Additionally, NCRG conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a special tour of the G2E trade show floor.

“The NCRG conference is the only gathering of its kind that brings together casino operators, researchers, and health care professionals in a setting where they can learn from each others’ experiences,” said Dr. Howard Shaffer, director of the Division on Addictions. “And, in the process, attendees will gain a keener awareness of the critical role research and responsible gaming education can play in preventing and addressing gambling disorders, not only on the casino floor, but in our communities as well.”

As part of the 2007 conference, the NCRG also will present its annual Scientific Achievement Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the study of gambling-related disorders. The NCRG will distribute an international request for nominations for these awards in the near future.

To obtain more information on the NCRG’s 8th Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction visitwww.ncrg.org.

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The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research that helps increase understanding of pathological and youth gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the NCRG’s mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders by supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological and youth gambling; encouraging the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies; and advancing public education about responsible gaming. The NCRG is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. For more information, visitwww.ncrg.org.

NCRG funds provide grants to researchers to increase understanding of pathological gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The funds are distributed through the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information, visitwww.divisiononaddictions.org/institute.

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9th Annual NCRG Conference To Explore New Ground In Treatment, Responsible Gaming And Public Policy

Leading Researchers to Present Latest Findings; Conference to Coincide With Global Gaming Expo

Apr 16, 2008

WASHINGTON– The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced its 9thAnnual Conference on Gambling and Addiction will examine how the latest research may transform the way gambling disorders are addressed. The event, to be held Nov.16-18 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and the Las Vegas Convention Center, brings together industry professionals, regulators, health care providers, policy-makers and renowned researchers to discuss how new research can advance diagnostic, treatment and prevention applications.

The theme of the conference –The Changing Landscape of Treatment, Responsible Gaming and Public Policy– reflects the current scientific and societal trends that are influencing gambling research and responsible gaming initiatives. The conference’s opening roundtable will feature a panel discussion on whether new research will lead to a revised clinical definition for pathological gambling in the American Psychiatric Association’sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which could have significant ramifications for a wide array of stakeholders.

“NCRG’s support of peer-reviewed, independent research about gambling disorders is making an impact at a critical time. We are facing a constantly changing landscape in which advancing technology, globalization and other trends are influencing how we address gambling-related harms,” said Phil Satre, chairman of the NCRG and former chairman and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. “This conference not only will give attendees the opportunity to catch up on the latest research, but will provide a forum for discussing the implications of new scientific findings.”

Co-sponsored by the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at the Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the conference program will provide attendees the opportunity to hear from leading experts from academia, government, the health care sector and the gaming industry about evolving research areas and how they can be translated into real-world applications. Plenary topics will include a look at how to develop effective intervention and responsible gaming strategies for Asian populations, gambling and the Internet, how to talk to children about gambling addiction and other risky behaviors, and how close the research field is to establishing pathological gambling treatment standards.

Breakout sessions at this year’s conference will examine government support for addressing gambling disorders, particularly how state and federal health agencies differ in their approaches, the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs and how people recover from gambling disorders.

Additional sessions will feature examples of practical applications of new research findings, the latest drug treatments for alcohol and gambling disorders, the use of new technology in assessment and counseling, and more.

The NCRG conference will once again coincide with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which will be held Nov.18-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. G2E is the gaming industry’s largest international trade show and conference. The final day of NCRG conference sessions will take place at the convention center as part of G2E’s corporate social responsibility conference track.

NCRG-sponsored sessions at G2E will explore a broad mix of topics including responsible gaming in Native American casinos, how human resources and employee assistance programs address problem gambling in the workplace, and how gambling impacts America’s cultural fabric. The sessions will be open to all G2E and NCRG conference attendees.

“With its focus on the upcoming edition of theDSM, this year’s NCRG conference will be a particularly exciting one not only for the research community but for anyone who has a stake in the issue of gambling disorders,” said Christine Reilly, executive director of the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders. “The possibility of a new clinical definition for pathological gambling could have major implications for the way we identify and treat gambling disorders, and how responsible gaming programs are developed. This conference provides the opportunity for all of those who have a stake in this issue to debate these developments.”

As part of the 2008 conference, the NCRG also will present its annual Scientific Achievement Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the study of gambling-related disorders. The NCRG will distribute an international request for nominations for these awards in the near future.

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The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research that helps increase understanding of pathological and youth gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the NCRG’s mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders by supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological and youth gambling; encouraging the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies; and advancing public education about responsible gaming. The NCRG is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. For more information, visitwww.ncrg.org.

NCRG funds provide grants to researchers to increase understanding of pathological gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The funds are distributed through the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information, visitwww.divisiononaddictions.org/institute.

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