what science can do for you the impact of ncrg on the field of gambling studies

What Science Can Do For You

The Impact of NCRG on the Field of Gambling StudiesKevin P. Mullally, Member

NCRG Board of Directors

NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 2

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


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


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


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


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


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


Original NCRG Funders

Boyd Gaming Corporation

Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.

International Game Technology (IGT)

Mandalay Resort Group

MGM MIRAGE

Grand Casinos

Station Casinos

http://www.igt.com/


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.


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


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


In 2000, the NCRG established the first U.S. research center focused on gambling disorders at Harvard Medical School.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Harvard_shield-Medical.png


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


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


Impact of NCRG

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal provides independent confirmation of scientific merit

http://www.ajph.org/current.shtml

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/current.shtml


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


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


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


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.”


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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]


THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING

Advancing Research, Education and Awareness

what science can do for you the impact of ncrg on the field of gambling studies

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