NCRG Names Centers Of Excellence In Gambling Research At The University Of Chicago And Yale University

NCRG Center of Excellence in Gambling Research at the University of Chicago

The NCRG is excited toofficially announcethe next NCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Research! The University of Chicago and Yale University were each awarded a three-year NCRG Centers of Excellence grant in the amount of $402,500 to employ a long-term, institutional approach to conducting innovative and multidisciplinary research and education programs about gambling disorders.

NCRG Center of Excellence in Gambling Research at Yale University

The NCRG established the Center of Excellence in Gambling Research grant in 2009 to encourage innovative, multidisciplinary investigations of gambling disorders. These three-year grants are intended to provide funding for a stable, long-term institutional focus on a complex set of gambling-related problems. The NCRG Centers of Excellence were awarded on a competitive basis under the leadership of the NCRG Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

NCRG Center of Excellence at the University of Chicago

The NCRG Center of Excellence at the University of Chicago will be led by Jon E. Grant, J.D., M.D., M.P.H., professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Dr. Grant and his colleagues will expand on previous studies he led at the NCRG Center of Excellence at the University of Minnesota. This research is helping to determine if scientists can identify young adults who may be at risk for developing a gambling disorder through Dr. Grant’s proposed susceptibility model of impulsivity. This understanding will aid in the development and implementation of effective prevention, intervention and treatment programs for this disorder, especially pertaining to ethnically diverse populations. Dr. Grant will conduct this work in conjunction with colleagues from the University of Minnesota.

NCRG Center of Excellence at Yale University

Marc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, child study and neurobiology at Yale University School of Medicine, will continue to lead the NCRG Center of Excellence at Yale University through its second three-year round of NCRG funding. Dr. Potenza and his colleagues will continue their multidisciplinary approach to study the motivational and emotional factors that influence the development of gambling disorders in men and women, including the role of stress in gambling urges and cravings. With neuroimaging technology, this research team also will test medications to understand its role in the brain and potential effectiveness as a medication for gambling disorders.

Throughout the year, we’ll post updates on the findings from these NCRG Centers of Excellence.

Are you interested in applying for a NCRG grant? Earlier this year, theNCRG announcedit is allocating nearly $1 million to study gambling disorders in 2013. Visit theNCRG Research Centerfor more information. Also, connect with the NCRG onFacebookandTwitterfor updates and announcements about our research program.

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NCRG Visits Chicago For 2013 Annual Education Summit

Credit: www.cityofchicago.org

This week, the NCRG will be visiting Chicago for the 2013 Annual Education Summit! Each year, the NCRG conducts an Annual Education Summit in a different city to share information about the latest research on gambling disorders and make key stakeholders aware of the science-based programs and resources the NCRG has to offer. During the Annual Education Summit, the NCRG reaches out to a variety of stakeholders in gaming jurisdictions, including the casino industry, public policymakers, treatment providers, mental health professionals, regulators, scientists, university administrators and the general public.

The NCRG recognizes the importance of investing in the research and public health community by funding groundbreaking studies and advancing public education about gambling disorders and responsible gaming.

Chicago is an ideal place to make this investment. While in Chicago, the NCRG will connect with a large number of key stakeholders, share the latest research and trends related to this issue, and inform them of the NCRG’s science-based programs and resources.

For this year’s Annual Education Summit, the NCRG will be holding two events:

  • In conjunction with the University of Chicago, the NCRG will host a symposium, titled “Investing in Research, Responsible Gaming and the Community,” on March 14 from noon – 2 p.m. During the event, we will officially announce the NCRG Center of Excellence in Gambling Research to the University of Chicago and Yale University. The NCRG will also celebrate local and national partnerships that are making a significant impact on the public health for the state of Illinois. This event will be led by NCRG ChairmanAlan Feldman, and will feature presentations fromDr. Jon Grant,Dr. Ken WintersandMargo Bristow from the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling. This event is open to the public. If you are in the Chicago area and are interested in attending the symposium, contact Amy Kugler atakugler@ncrg.org.
  • The NCRG will also host an invite-only workshop for new investigators to learn about effective grant writing, the NCRG’s grant categories, National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunities and strategies and tips for publishing research. The workshop will be held March 15 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the University of Chicago and will feature presentations from Dr. Ken Winters,Dr. Tammy Chung, Dr. Jon Grant andChristine Reilly.

Next week, we’ll post a recap of our trip to Chicago. In the meantime, connect with us onFacebookandTwitter(#AES2013) for real-time updates about these events!

Where should the NCRG visit for the 2014 Annual Education Summit? Please leave your suggestions in the comments box below.

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NCRG’s Amy Kugler Discusses The Importance Of Responsible Gaming Partnerships

Amy Kugler, NCRG Communications and Outreach Manager

Over the past 17 years, the NCRG has seen the value of building long-lasting partnerships in order to best address gambling disorders and responsible gaming as a public health issue. From industry leaders to national public health organizations and government officials, collaboration among diverse groups is key to effectively increasing awareness and finding solutions that benefit the community as a whole.

Featured onGlobal Gaming Expo’s (G2E) blog today, NCRG Communications and Outreach Manager Amy Kugler takes a look at the NCRG’s emphasis on successful partnerships and the organization’s many initiatives for 2013.

Click hereto read Amy’s blog post, ‘Building Partnerships to Address Responsible Gaming.’

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The Toledo Pledge: Bringing Together Community Leaders And Organizers To Address Gambling Disorders

Photo © 2012 iStockphoto.com/ J-Elgaard

Last week, theNCRGandAGAreleased the winter 2013 edition ofResponsible Gaming Quarterly. While developing this edition of RGQ, we had the opportunity to learn more about a communitywide partnership effort in Toledo, Ohio, to increase awareness of gambling disorders.

From government and law enforcement to social services, community leaders came together in 2012 to take the steps necessary to increase community involvement and address the issue through education initiatives. This initiative is called The Toledo Pledge.

The Toledo Pledge states the following:

‘I will learn how to recognize the signs of a potential gambling problem, how to intervene with someone who has a problem, and what treatment options are available in our community. I will share this information with others and intervene when I recognize someone displaying the signs of problem gambling.’

Another version of the Toledo Pledge, which organizations can sign, has similar language. It also provides warning signs to help recognize problem gambling among employees or members, adding:

‘We will show compassion and patience to those with a gambling problem and commit to assisting them with steps toward a gambling-free life.’

To raise awareness about the Toledo Pledge and inform the community about gambling disorders, local stakeholders developed education initiatives that companies, service organizations, unions or places of worship could use to inform their employees or members. This, in turn, would encourage the employees and members to learn how to identify gambling disorders, know when to refer resources to individuals who might need help and to understand more about the treatment options available.

Organizers launched the program by publicizing it directly to the largest companies and organizations in the community. They also have created materials to distribute, including the brochure, “A Quick Guide to Safer Gambling: How Do You Play?” which offers guidance and encourages those concerned for themselves or someone they know to directly contact COMPASS, the Mental Health Board or the United Way. In addition to COMPASS, other organizations joining this effort include the Lucas County Commissioners and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County.

The partner organizations are currently working toward the second phase of educating about The Toledo Pledge. They are developing methods to encourage these stakeholders to follow through on the pledge agreement, in order to send a broader message to a wider group of companies and organizations. This effort includes person-to-person encouragement, offering speakers for public events, providing materials and developing media and online campaigns to promote awareness.

Click hereto learn more about The Toledo Pledge and to read the full article inResponsible Gaming Quarterly.

What are some other communitywide initiatives to increase awareness of gambling disorders?

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Download The Winter 2013 Edition Of Responsible Gaming Quarterly

RGQ Winter 2013

Yesterday, theNCRGandAGAreleased the winter 2013 edition ofResponsible Gaming Quarterlyyesterday. In its 10th year,Responsible Gaming Quarterlyis a free publication that provides a broad range of coverage on recent research results, regulatory efforts, studies and developments in the treatment field and best practices for community programs that encourage responsible gaming.

This latest edition includes articles that highlight:

  • The release of the AGA’s revisedCode of Conduct for Responsible Gamingon its 10th anniversary.
  • The success of theNCRG Centers of Excellence in Gambling Researchin their first three years.
  • International responsible gaming initiatives, including the RG Check accreditation program in Canada.
  • Regional education activities designed to help youth lead the problem gambling education programs in Washington state.
  • One gaming company’s new responsible gaming initiative aimed at slot players.
  • A regional community partnership to increase awareness of gambling disorders.
  • And more!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature some of these articles onGambling Disorders 360o. In the meantime, clickhereto download the winter 2013 edition ofResponsible Gaming Quarterly.

Do you have suggestions for the next issue ofResponsible Gaming Quarterly? Tell us in the comments section below!

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder And Problem Gambling – Free NCRG Webinar On Feb. 8

Dr. Lisa Najavits, Boston University School of Medicine

Register todayfor one of the more popular training sessions that the NCRG has held for clinicians:Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Problem Gambling. This one-hour free webinar, led by Lisa Najavits, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and NCRG Scientific Advisory Board member, will be heldFriday, Feb. 8from2-3 p.m. ESTand participants will receive1 CEUfor their attendance.

As with all addictive behaviors, people who struggle with a gambling disorder tend to have other psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, addictive disorders and more. Clinicians must often be prepared to assess and treat co-occurring psychiatric conditions when treating for gambling disorders.

Dr. Najavits is a leading expert in research and clinical care for trauma, PTSD and substance abuse and developed her evidence-based treatment for PTSD and substance use disorders.

In this free, one-hour webinar, Dr. Najavits will:

  • Comprehensively discuss her research findings on the intersection of PTSD and gambling disorders
  • Explain the ‘Seeking Safety’ treatment approach. This model, which has been used with problem gamblers as well as substance use disorder clients, is a present-focused cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach offering psychoeducation and coping skills
  • Address additional questions about best practices for co-occurring disorders

To learn more, visit the NCRG’sUpcoming Webinars page. Spots are filling up fast, soregister today!

What other topics should the NCRG Webinar Series cover this year? Please leave your suggestions in the comments box below.

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Aga Releases Updated Code Of Conduct For Responsible Gaming

AGA Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming

To coincide with its 10thanniversary, the American Gaming Association (AGA)releasedan updated version of itsCode of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, which reflects the various ways the gaming entertainment industry has evolved during the past decade.

TheCodewas developed in 2003 and created a consistent, industrywide approach to responsible gaming, illustrating the impact the issue has on the industry’s daily operations. TheCodeis a pledge to employees, patrons and the public to promote responsible gaming in every aspect of the commercial casino industry, including employee training, customer education, the prevention of underage gambling, responsible alcohol service, and responsible marketing and advertising.

Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming

All AGA member companies adhere to the provisions of theCode, and it has become a model for responsible gaming programs in international jurisdictions and nonmember casinos across the country as well. Throughout the past decade, it has remained as a blueprint for responsible gaming best practices. Many of theCode’s revisions reflect that the Internet has allowed the gaming industry to connect and communicate with employees, patrons and the community in new ways compared to a decade ago.

The AGA also used the 10th anniversary of theCodeto help reacquaint the gaming industry employees and patrons and regulators with theCode’sprovisions. The AGA developed a toolkit of educational material that includes communications materials to explain the changes to theCode, while also explaining the role theCodeplays in daily operations. Also to commemorate the anniversary of theCode, the AGA has translated the newly updatedCodebrochure into Spanish and traditional Chinese.

For more information on theCodeof Conduct for Responsible Gaming, or to download a copy of the new brochure, visit theAGA’s website. Also, be sure to check out the next issue of the NCRG’sResponsible Gaming Quarterly(coming soon!) for a story on theCode.

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Have Grants, Will Travel – Apply For The NCRG’s Travel Grants For Investigators To Present Their Work At Scientific Conferences

Jody Bechtold presents her research during the NCRG's poster session and reception.

One goal of the NCRG’s research program is to help investigators share their research findings with the larger addiction and mental health research communities. Because new research on gambling disorders is not usually represented at the premiere scientific meetings, the NCRG’s grants program established aTravel Grantscategory to support the participation of young gambling investigators in conferences such as the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, the American Psychological Association, the Society for Neuroscience and other meetings.

Those interested in applying for an NCRG Travel Grant may request up to $1,500 for travel in 2013 or 2014 to present their work to attend a scientific meeting. Eligible meetings include conferences that employ rigorous peer-review in the selection of posters and presentations.

Eligible applicants must be within 10 years of their doctorate (Ph.D.) or medical residence. The applicant must be the first author of the paper or poster that will be presented at the meeting. Funds can be used to support economy air transportation, lodging, ground transportation, meals and early-bird registration fees.

Upcoming Deadlines for Submissions:

  • The College on Problems of Drug Dependenceis accepting a limited number of abstracts for presentation as a five-minute talk in a session devoted to important late-breaking findings (i.e., after December 3, 2012) at the annual meeting scheduled for June 15-20, 2013, in San Diego.
  • The Association for Psychological Scienceis accepting submissions for its annual conference in Washington, D.C., on May 23-26, 2013, until January 31, 2013.
  • Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction, a joint conference of Divisions 28 and 50 at the American Psychological Association, will accept submission of poster abstracts until February 1, 2013. The conference will be held in Atlanta, May 3-4, 2013.

These are just a few of the conferences for which a Travel Grant can be used. If you are interested in applying for a Travel Grant, or would like to learn more about the NCRG’s grants program, clickhere.

What meetings will you attend this year?

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NCRG Offers Nearly $1 Million In 2013 To Study Gambling Disorders And Adds New Fellowship Opportunity

For 2013, theNCRG is excited to allocate $950,000 for funding new researchfor its competitive project grants program. This year, the research grants will be awarded in four previously-awarded categories.

  • TravelGrants(up to $1,500 for one year) support postdoctoral researchers presenting a poster or paper on gambling disorders research at a scientific meeting in 2013 or 2014.
  • Seed Grants(up to $25,000 for one year) provide funding for small research projects that can be completed in one year.
  • Early Stage Investigator Grants(up to $65,000 per year for two years) are 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.
  • Large Grants(up to $75,000 per year for two years) provide up to two years of support for discrete, specified, circumscribed research projects related to gambling disorders.

Additionally, the NCRG will offer anAddiction 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 Ph.Ds.

To apply, interested applicants can visit theNCRG’s online Research Centerfor the 2013 research grantsbrochure, applications and instructions. Below are the deadlines for each grant category:

GrantLetter of Intent
DeadlineApplication
DeadlineNotificationTravel GrantsN/AOngoingWithin 1 monthSeed GrantsN/AOngoingWithin 1 monthEarly Stage Investigator GrantsN/AMay 1, 2013Within 3 monthsLarge GrantsMarch 1, 2013June 3, 2013Within 3 monthsAddiction FellowshipN/AJune 3, 2013Within 3 months

Because the NCRG’s grants program is committed to a multi-disciplinary approach, grant proposals can come from investigators in various areas: psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, sociology, economics, neuroeconomics, neuroscience and other relevant disciplines. The NCRG is especially interested in research investigations that develop and test psychosocial or pharmacological approaches for prevention, intervention, treatment and relapse prevention of gambling disorders.

Have a comment or question about NCRG funding for research on gambling disorders and responsible gaming? Please leave a comment below!

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NCRG Awards $870,000 For Gambling Disorder Research In 2012

Earlier this week, the NCRGannouncedit awarded more than $870,000 in 2012 to support 10 new research projects that will help to improve methods of diagnosis, intervention, treatment and prevention of gambling disorders.

NCRG Senior Research Director Christine Reilly

NCRG Senior Research Director Christine Reilly commented on the research program and studies funded:

“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. 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.”

Here’s a list of the research projects that received funding from the NCRG:

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.

Stay connected with the NCRG here, and onFacebookandTwitter, for upcoming announcements on the NCRG’s 2013 funding opportunities.

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