What Science Can Do For You
The Impact of NCRG on the Field of Gambling StudiesKevin P. Mullally, Member
NCRG Board of Directors
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National Center for Responsible GamingEstablished as a nonprofit in 1996 to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders by:
Supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological and youth gambling
Encouraging practical applications of research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies
Advancing public education about gambling disorders and responsible gaming
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A Decade of Accomplishment
Unprecedented private funding ($15 million) for research
Transformed the field of through groundbreaking research
Establishment of first university-based center dedicated exclusively to gambling studies
Dramatic expansion of education and public awareness programs
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Gambling Research Pre-NCRG
No money for research
Conceptual chaos: Problem gambler, pathological gambler, compulsive gambler, etc.
Diagnostic code not based on empirical research but on clinicians’ observations
Many studies methodologically flawed
Pathological gambling viewed in isolation from other disorders
Junk science filled the void
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Junk Science
Driven by political or personal agendas
Uses evidence that supports position; ignores contrary findings
Lack of concern for rigorous, scientific methods
“Ends-justify-the-means” approach
Resistance to criticism
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Dangers of Junk Science
Public confusion, ultimately cynicism
Misallocation of public health resources
Tarnishes field in eyes of reputable scientists
Stunts efforts to find effective prevention and treatment
Fails to help; may harm people who need help
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Forefront of a New Era
NCRG committed to reversing this trend
First serious funding source in the area of disordered gambling research and responsible gaming outreach and education
Raised the bar for conducting rigorous scientific study
Generous support from industry helped launch the NCRG
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Original NCRG Funders
Boyd Gaming Corporation
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
International Game Technology (IGT)
Mandalay Resort Group
MGM MIRAGE
Grand Casinos
Station Casinos
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Unprecedented Support More than $15 million committed to the NCRG through contributions from commercial casinos and related companies for research on gambling disorders since 1996.
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NCRG Contributors Since 1996 Alliance Gaming Corporation Argosy Gaming Company Aztar Corporation Bank of America Boyd Gaming Corporation William Boyd Roland Burris Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc. Caesars World, Inc. Andre Carrier Casino Data Systems Glenn Christensen Coast Resorts, Inc. Community Foundation of Western
Nevada Empress Riverboat Casinos, Inc. Foxwoods Resort Casino Grand Casinos, Inc. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las
Vegas
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Harveys Casino Resorts Hilton Hotels Corporation Hollywood Casino Corporation Horseshoe Gaming, Inc. Hotel Employees and Restaurant
Employees International Union International Game Technology Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. JCM American Corporation David Korn The Lincy Foundation Mandalay Resort Group MGM MIRAGE Mikohn Gaming Corporation Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Mission Industries
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Mohegan Sun The Palms Casino Resort Park Place Entertainment Corporation Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Pioneer Behavioral Health Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino The Riviera Hotel & Casino Stan Roth Sandia Casino Sky City Casino, Pueblo of Acoma Showboat, Inc. Shuffle Master Gaming Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada Station Casinos, Inc. WMS Industries, Inc. Tim Wilmott
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Integrity of Research
Solicit proposals from leading research institutions
Use criteria of the National Institutes of Health to determine scientific merit
Created firewalls to protect integrity of research
•Independent peer reviewers make funding decisions
•Findings not available to NCRG until published
•Establishment of research center to carry out grant-making
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In 2000, the NCRG established the first U.S. research center focused on gambling disorders at Harvard Medical School.
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Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders
The NCRG awarded multi-million dollar grant to Harvard’s Division on Addictions to establish the Institute
Modeled after the National Institutes of Health
Funds both internal core gambling research and competitively funded external research
• Awards one-third of its funds to other institutions for research
• Supports gambling research by Dr. Howard Shaffer’s research team
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Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders
The BASIS provides research reports and other resources for nearly half a million unique visitors annually (www.basisonline.org).
Co-sponsors annual NCRG conference on Gambling and Addiction
Developed EMERGE (Executive, Management and Employee Responsible Gaming Education)
www.divisiononaddictions.org/institute
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Institutions Funded by the NCRG/Institute Boston University Medical School Centre for Addiction and Mental Health City of Hope Medical Center Harvard Medical School Johns Hopkins University Laval University Massachusetts General Hospital McGill University Minnesota Institute on Public Health Research Institute on Addictions University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of California-Davis University of Colorado University of Connecticut
University of Georgia University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana University of Illinois-Chicago University of Iowa University of Memphis University of Michigan University of Minnesota Medical School University of Missouri University of New Mexico University of South Alabama University of Washington VA Medical Center Cleveland Virginia Commonwealth University Washington University School of Medicine Yale University School of Medicine
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Impact of NCRG
Publication in a peer-reviewed journal provides independent confirmation of scientific merit
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NCRG-Funded Research Published in Leading Journals American Journal of Public Health Psychology of Addictive Behaviors Neuron American Journal of Psychiatry Neuroreport Addictive Behaviors Canadian Journal of Psychiatry Journal of American College
Health Annals of the American Academy
of Political and Social Science Harvard Review of Psychiatry
International Clinical Psychopharmacology
Biological Psychiatry Psychiatric Times Annual Review of Public Health Addiction Canadian Journal of Public Health Molecular Psychiatry Journal of the American Medical
Association Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology
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Research Topics The genetics of gambling addiction
Clinical trials of drugs, CBT and other treatment therapies
Youth and college-age gambling
Vulnerable populations including elderly and homeless
Screening, assessment and treatment outcome measures
Prevalence of disorder in general adult and subpopulations
Brain’s reward center
Role of memory and decision-making
Natural history of gambling disorders
Brief interventions and self-help tools
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Impact of NCRG
By bringing the issue to the forefront, NCRG paved the way for the federal government to invest in gambling research.
In 1998, National Institutes of Health began offering grants in the field
NCRG-funded grants have helped researchers leverage millions of federal dollars
Most of what is known about disordered gambling was published between 1999 and 2003
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Impact of NCRGIn 1999, The National Gambling Impact Study Commission noted:“Perhaps surprising to some, the largest source of funding for research on problem and pathological gambling is the commercial casino industry.”
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Key Research Findings
First reliable estimates of how many people have a pathological gambling disorder: Harvard’s estimate of approx. 1.1 percent of the adult population verified by independent studies and National Academy of Sciences
First significant evidence for a genetic component of gambling disorders
Support for cognitive therapy as a treatment strategy
First national study of gambling on college campuses found that gambling behaviors closer to adult rates than previously thought
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Key Research Findings
More sophisticated understanding of the brain’s reward system
New model for understanding addiction as a syndrome
First longitudinal study of casino employees found that gambling disorders more dynamic than previously assumed
First significant evidence for promise of naltrexone as treatment strategy
New model for measuring impact of new gaming venues on communities
New framework for understanding gambling as a public health issue
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Practical Applications for Research:
EMERGE (Executive, Management & Employee Responsible Gaming Education): A science-based employee education program designed to exceed the requirements of company and state regulations
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EMERGEEMERGE is the only employee education program:
Developed and led by Harvard Medical School faculty
Grounded in the latest scientific research on addiction and gambling disorders
Using a cutting-edge, interactive Web-based training platform
Providing a media-rich experience with video, audio and graphics
Approved by a third-party credentialing organization
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Held yearly in Las Vegas; currently in its eighth year
Focal point for the NCRG’s education initiatives
Draws hundreds of international participants from a broad range of sectors
Commitment to EducationNCRG Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction
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Responsible Gaming, Regulation, and Recovery: Testing Conventional Wisdom
Nov. 11-13, 2007Paris Las Vegas
Register online at www.ncrg.org
NCRG Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction
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Featured authors:• Howard Shaffer• Ken Winters• Randy Stinchfield• Rina Gupta• Richard LaBrie
Written for a lay audience To request a copy, visit www.ncrg.org
New Monograph Series
INCREASING THE ODDSA Series Dedicated to Understanding Gambling DisordersVolume 1: Youth and College Gambling
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Looking Ahead: Research Initiatives
Continue high quality, comprehensive research program
Translational research -- science-based responsible gaming
Vulnerable populations
Randomized clinical trials of treatment therapies
Cultivate a new generation of researchers
Your First Step to Change self-help tool
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Looking Ahead: Education Initiatives
Debut of EMERGE
Monograph Series
8th NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction Responsible Gaming, Regulation and Recovery: Testing Conventional Wisdom
Nov. 11-13, 2007
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For More Information
www.ncrg.org
www.divisiononaddictions.org/instituteKevin P. Mullally
General Counsel & Director of Government AffairsGaming Laboratories International
7160 Amigo StreetLas Vegas, NV 89119
(702) [email protected]
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THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING
Advancing Research, Education and Awareness