Even though it fell later in the year than normal, the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Week was notable in many ways.
For the first time, RGEW was noted in Congress when U.S. Representative Dina Titus (D-Nevada) commended the industry’s responsible gaming efforts in the Congressional Record.
“I am proud to support the goals and ideals of Responsible Gaming Education Week which brings together the gaming industry, advocacy groups, regulators and other key stakeholders to promote transparency and gaming literacy,” wrote Titus. “The gaming industry goes to great lengths to make sure employees are trained in best practices for recognizing and dealing with problem gaming and patrons are aware of options for help if they need it.”
Many gaming companies stepped up to support efforts to understand problem gambling in different ways.
The AGA and MGM Resorts International announced $100,000 contributions as founding donors to the National Center for Responsible Gaming’s (NCRG) Fund to Support Research and Sports Wagering, in addition to substantial contributions from AGA members William Hill US, GVC Holdings PLC, IGT and Hard Rock and also NASCAR. The fund is a first-of-its-kind effort to expand research on responsible gaming in sports betting. In making the announcement, AGA President and CEO Bill Miller stressed the need to continue prioritizing responsible gaming as legal sports betting spreads:
“As the gaming industry’s offerings continue to grow and evolve, our commitment to responsible gaming remains steadfast,” said Miller. “The expansion of legal, regulated sports betting has made it increasingly important that responsible gaming is not only a signature priority in new gaming markets, but that we also continue to deepen our understanding of effective responsible gaming practices.”
The AGA also held two “Get to Know Gaming” events. The first at MGM National Harbor in Maryland focused on gaming’s impact on the state and included panelists such as Congressman Anthony Brown (D-MD) and former Prince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker III.
At the session, the AGA released a new report, “Casinos & Communities: Maryland,” offers a narrative look at the gaming industry’s economic and social contributions to communities in the Free State. The research couples key data on gaming’s economic impact—15,364 jobs supported and $713 million in wages generated annually—with testimonials from local business owners, nonprofits and elected officials about gaming’s positive impact in their communities.
“Maryland’s six casinos are driving tremendous opportunity for communities across the state,” said Bill Miller, president and chief executive officer of the AGA. “As a native Marylander, it is remarkable to see how fast this industry has grown and, at the same time, supported the communities where they operate.”
In Las Vegas, the focus was the nascent sports betting industry in the U.S. and featured a diverse group of panelists representing companies and organizations studying how sports betting will handle the problem gambling issue.
The host for the session was Elizabeth Cronan, senior director of. gaming policy, with the AGA. The moderator was Sandra Douglass Morgan, chairwoman, Nevada Gaming Control Board. Panelists included Dr. Russell Sanna, executive director, National Center for Responsible Gaming; Alan Feldman, distinguished fellow, UNLV International Gaming Institute and former public policy executive at MGM Resorts; Scott Warfield, managing director, Gaming, NASCAR; Tammi Barlow, head of responsible gaming, William Hill US; Paul Pellizzari, VP of global social responsibility, Hard Rock International; Jade Luchauer, corporate social responsibility manager, International Game Technology; and Virginia McDowell, independent non-executive director, GVC Holdings, and former president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos.
NASCAR’s Warfield says his organization is taking it slowly since they are new to wagering. “We want to provide our fans engagement opportunities, but we want them to do it responsibly,” he said.
Sanna of the NCRG said the impact of sports wagering on problem gambling is a “huge unknown” and thanked the companies for supporting the new study, but said he didn’t expect much of a increase in the historically stable levels.
“The prevalence rate of gambling disorder does not increase in relation to the gambling opportunities. It stays around that 1 to 1.5 percent,” he said. “When new gambling opportunity opens, you’ll see a little blip, and then it goes back down to that level.”
Sanna said results of the study that will commence in six months or so would be available to states considering legalizing sports wagering.
“Imagine you are a state legislator and have to approve sports betting without knowing what the impact will be,” Sanna said. “It’s important we guide the decision-making process with knowledge.”
UNLV’s Feldman pointed out that while research into problem gambling is relatively young, there is virtually no studies about responsible gaming. Because sports betting is proliferating so quickly, Feldman says the industry needs to be proactive.
“The industry broadly needs to be much more assertive, much more out in the open about responsible gaming to all consumers,” he said.
Feldman also warned against irresponsible comments from the media, particularly sports commentators.
“I can envision the time when one of those announcers will say ‘Bet the house on this team or that.’ Well, no one should be betting the house on anything, but the media needs to be conscious of their language when it comes to talking about sports betting.”
In addition to the contributions to the sports betting study, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers announced a donation of $200,000 to Nevada’s Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center, which works to reduce stigma around problem gambling and helps treat those who need it regardless of their ability to pay.
Executive Director Stephanie Goodman said, “We are so grateful for the incredibly generous donation that AGEM and GLI have pledged to our center. The unprecedented transformation of our clients during our six-week Intensive Outpatient Program developed by Dr. Rob Hunter, speaks volumes to the effectiveness of a program that combines group therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy and science. Because of this generous gift from our industry partners, AGEM and GLI, this money will have a direct impact on problem gamblers in our community. Problem gambling, officially termed as a Gambling Disorder in the DSM-5, is recognized as an addictive disorder, alongside alcohol and drug use disorder. PGC is working to educate our community in an effort to remove the stigma associated with this disease while at the same time, healing the clients who commit to our program.”
