Responsible Gaming Quarterly - Summer 2012

What steps does a person take torecover from a gambling addiction?

How does a recovery-oriented system ofcare integrate treatment for people withgambling problems? Can online gamingoperators help prevent problem gamblingthrough science-based responsible gamingprograms? What is the best way toevaluate the effectiveness of responsiblegaming strategies and treatment services?

These questions and others areredefining the way that clinicians, publichealth officials, gaming industry leaders,regulators and researchers approachgambling disorders and responsiblegaming programs. Titled “Exploring New Trends in Recovery, Research andResponsible Gaming,” the 13th annualNCRG Conference on Gambling andAddiction will discuss these emerging

issues from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 at the SandsExpo and Convention Center in LasVegas. The conference will bring togetherleading experts on addiction, gamblingdisorders, online gambling, minorityhealth issues and responsible gaming.

Gaming regulators and industryprofessionals will have the opportunity tolearn about the health risks of pathologicalgambling and prospects for responsiblegaming programs on Internet gamblingsites, one of this growing sector’s mostpressing issues. Simo Dragicevic, CEO of Bet Buddy, will report on publishedresearch that analyzed actual Internetgambling transactions to discern patternsof excessive gambling. Dragicevic will bejoined by Mark Lipparelli, chairman ofthe Nevada Gaming Control Board,

SUMMER 2012 / VOL. 9 / NO. 1

A Joint Publication of the American Gaming Association and the National Center for Responsible Gaming

www.ncrg.org

6 NCRG Travels to Florida

Responsible GamingEducation Week

Singapore’s Online Toolsfor Problem Gamblers

10 Iowa Gambling TreatmentProgram

QuarterlyR E S P O N S I B L E G A M I N G

New Education Seriesfor Clinicians

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Treatment Goes Mobile17

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Colorado Youth EducatingPeers about Gambling

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NCRG Updates4

14 Teaching Kids to “Know the Odds”

NCRG’S 13th Annual Conference on Gamblingand Addiction Will Explore New Trends in Recovery, Research and Responsible Gaming

Research Update: SocialNetworks and Gambling

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www.americangaming.org

Mitch Garber, CEO of CaesarsInteractive Entertainment, and CliveHawkswood, chief executive of theRemote Gambling Association, for apanel discussion on the possibilitiesof implementing effectiveresponsible gaming strategies forInternet gambling operators. Othersessions tailored to industryrepresentatives will examine how toevaluate government and corporatesupport of services for problemgamblers and analyze the researchbase for pre-commitment as aresponsible gaming strategy.

Clinicians and public health specialists will be ableto earn up to 14 continuing education hours byattending the conference sessions. Leaders in themovement for recovery-oriented systems of care, such asDr. H. Westley Clark from the Substance Abuse andMental Health Services Administration in the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services and Dr.Alexandre Laudet from the National Development andResearch Institutes will examine new definitions of

recovery that go beyond abstinencefrom gambling. Dr. ThomasMcLellan, CEO of the TreatmentResearch Institute and formerscience advisor and deputy directorof the White House Office ofNational Drug Control Policy, willdiscuss the challenges ofimplementing screening and briefinterventions with clients withaddictions. By discussing thescience of recovery-orientedsystems of care, attendees will beable to find new ways to join

together as a community to address gambling disorders. For more than a decade, the NCRG Conference

has provided a unique forum where stakeholders in thefield of gambling disorders and responsible gamingcome together to discuss the latest research and discussways to apply those scientific findings to their daily lives.Registration is now open for the NCRG Conference.Visit www.ncrg.org/conference for more details about the event, online registration and hotelaccommodations.

2RESPONSIBLE GAMING QUARTERLY / VOL. 9 / NO. 1

NCRG Conference Continued from page 1

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 13th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling andAddiction. To learn more, please contact Amy Martin at 202-552-2689 or [email protected].


Earlier this year, the AmericanGaming Association (AGA)

launched the “All In” campaign tohighlight the gaming industry’soutstanding corporate socialresponsibility efforts in the areas ofgiving and volunteering,responsible gaming, diversity andenvironmental sustainability. Thefocus of the responsible gamingportion of the campaign will be theAGA’s 15th annual ResponsibleGaming Education Week (RGEW),which will be held July 30 – Aug. 3.

“Responsible gaming is not just acasino issue; it is a community issue— and a crucial part of gamingcompanies’ efforts to be goodcommunity partners and corporatecitizens,” said Frank Fahrenkopf,president and CEO of the AGA. “This year’s themewill ask employees to think about their relationshipwith this important issue and how they can beresponsible gaming resources within theircommunities.”

In conjunction with RGEW and the “All In”campaign, the AGA will host a contest for industryemployees through which they can creativelycommunicate what responsible gaming means to them.There will be three contest categories – essay, posterand video message — and casino properties and gamingcompanies are encouraged to have their employeescreate an entry as part of their RGEW activities.Following RGEW, companies will be asked to sendemployee submissions to the AGA, and the winningentries will be posted in a multi-media section of theAGA website devoted to the “All In” campaign.

Additionally, RGEW will mark the debut of ascience-based guidebook for human resources (HR) andemployee assistance (EA) professionals developed bythe AGA and the National Center for ResponsibleGaming (NCRG). This resource will help HR and EAprofessionals learn about gambling disorders and howto encourage responsible decisions when gambling. Italso gives them the best tools to refer to employees who

may need help. The new publication will be availableon both organizations’ websites and will be distributednot only to casinos and gaming companies, but tonational networks of HR and EA professionals.

During RGEW, the NCRG also will highlight theresources available that educate about gamblingdisorders and responsible gaming. EMERGE, whichstands for Executive, Management and Employee ResponsibleGaming Education, is a groundbreaking science-basedtraining program that allows gaming employees accessto training sessions 24/7. Researchers at HarvardMedical School developed the program, and theNCRG can customize it to fit each gaming operator’straining needs. Additionally, the NCRG will feature theresources available through the Partnership for Excellencein Education and Responsible Gaming (PEER) program.For more information, you can visit the NCRG’swebsite at www.ncrg.org/peerprogram.

To follow all of the activities for this year’s RGEW,participants are encouraged to connect with the AGAon Facebook (www.facebook.com/AmericanGaming)and on Twitter (@AGAUpdate) as well as the NCRG(www.facebook.com/theNCRG; @theNCRG).

The AGA and NCRG are “All In” for Responsible Gaming

NCRG Update: Expanding Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach Efforts

In 2011, the National Center for Responsible Gaming(NCRG) celebrated its 15th anniversary of funding

high impact research on gambling disorders andresponsible gaming and developing groundbreakingprograms designed to help the public better understandpathological and youth gambling. With a strong list ofachievements since 1996, the organization is poised toaccomplish even more in the future and has been veryactive in the first half of 2012.

Additions to the NCRG Board of DirectorsIn January, Alan Feldman, senior vice president of

public affairs for MGM Resorts International, assumedchairmanship of the NCRG. Having served on theNCRG’s board of directors since 2000, Feldman hastaken a leadership role on a wide array of gamingindustry issues, with a particular focus on responsiblegaming. Feldman replaced Glenn Christenson,managing director of Velstand Investments, LLC, whohas served as chairman for three years and will remainon the board.

“Alan has long been a strong voice in the gamingindustry on issue of responsible gaming and findingeffective methods for addressing gambling disorders,”said Christenson. “He has an unwavering commitmentto the NCRG, and I am delighted to remain on theNCRG board to support Alan’s leadership in this nextphase for the organization.”

Additionally, the NCRG board elected MarkVander Linden, executive officer of the Office ofGambling Treatment and Prevention at the IowaDepartment of Public Health, and Andrew Zarnett,managing director of Deutsche Bank Securities. These gentlemen bring substantial experience in the economics and public health sectors to theNCRG board.

AGEM-AGA Golf Tournament Reaches the“Drive for $1 Million”

On May 1, approximately 130 golfers gathered atCascata in Boulder City, Nev., at the 14th annualAGEM-AGA Golf Classic presented by JCM Global.During its first 13 years, AGEM-AGA Golf Classicraised nearly $950,000 for the NCRG, demonstratingthe industry’s dedication to funding the highest qualityresearch on gambling disorders and responsible gaming.This year’s tournament raised a record yearly amount of$133,000 and reached the $1 million goal through the“Drive for $1 Million” campaign. AGA President andCEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. and former NCRGChairman Glenn Christenson were on hand to thankthe sponsors and golfers. Christenson also explained thesignificant impact that the funds raised by thetournament have had on the field of gambling disordersresearch and resources provided by the NCRG.

JCM Global President Aki Isoi (left) and Hikam America, Inc.President Shigeo Hayashi enjoyed a day of golf at the AGEM-AGA Golf Classic.

Continued on page 5



NCRG: On the Road and In the NewsThe NCRG has been collaborating with new

partners and expanding ongoing initiatives to bringmore resources and education opportunities to thepublic than ever before. In conjunction with theNCAA tournament, the NCRG distributed amultimedia news release about CollegeGambling.orgto encourage students, parents and college officials tolearn more about gambling and gambling-relatedharms on campus. The NCRG also was invited topresent to an audience of 50 student affairs andathletics staff members at the NCAA MissouriGambling Summit in February. Dr. Matthew Martens,an associate professor at the University of Missouri -Columbia, and Amy Martin, communications andoutreach manager for the NCRG, presented on thelatest research and resources that addresses the issue ofcollege gambling, including CollegeGambling.org.

Additionally, members of the NCRG staffpresented at many regional and national conferencesthroughout the summer months. Martin presented atboth the Midwest Conference on Problem Gamblingand Substance Abuse in Kansas City, Mo., and theNational Council on Problem Gambling in Milwaukee,Wisc.; Nathan Smith, program officer for the NCRG,exhibited at the American Society of AddictionMedicine in Atlanta, Ga. Finally, Christine Reilly,

senior research director for the NCRG, attended theCollege on Problems of Drug Dependence conferencein Palm Springs, Calif., in June.

Finally, all NCRG staff members were present asReilly testified before the Massachusetts GamingCommission during its fourth public forum on June 27.Reilly was among eight presenters discussing the latestresearch on gambling disorders and theirrecommendations for the commission. Other speakersincluded NCRG board members Kevin Mullally andMark Vander Linden, NCRG-funded researchers DebiLaPlante, Ph.D., and Sarah Nelson, Ph.D., fromHarvard Medical School, as well as Marlene Warner,executive director of the Massachusetts Council onCompulsive Gambling.

The NCRG brought education directly to users’computers through the two recent sessions of theNCRG Webinar Series, coordinated in conjunctionwith Global Gaming Expo. The first session, titled“Science vs. Myth: Research on Internet Gambling,”was held on March 6 and was led by Dr. Sarah Nelson,an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard MedicalSchool. The second webinar, which took place on June20, was led by Dr. Serena King, an assistant professorat Hamline University. This session discussed the latesttrends in genetics, environmental factors andpsychiatric disorders in the development of gamblingdisorders during the transition to young adulthood.

NCRG Update Continued from page 4

For the sixth year, the NationalCenter for Responsible Gaming

(NCRG) hit the road for the AnnualEducation Summit. This series ofevents is designed to educate avariety of stakeholders aboutresponsible gaming, the latestresearch findings about gamblingdisorders and the resources that theNCRG has to offer. This year’sSummit took place on April 30 –May 2 in Miami, Fla., where leading

researchers and representatives fromthe NCRG met with various partnersfrom the business, mental health,academic, clinical and commercialgaming industries, as well asmembers of the media.

The 2012 Annual EducationSummit started on April 30 with agathering of Miami-area mentalhealth community leaders for aroundtable discussion at theUniversity of Miami. Mental healthexperts learned how they can use themost up-to-date research findings intheir daily practice and howcollaborative efforts can effectivelyaddress gambling disorders in theircommunity. Alan Feldman, chairmanof the NCRG and senior vicepresident of public affairs for MGMResorts International, moderated thediscussion while Drs. Ken Winters ofthe University of Minnesota andCarlos Blanco from Columbia

University explained recent studiesthat have examined pathologicalgambling, especially among minoritypopulations. Dr. Winters is aprofessor of psychiatry at theUniversity of Minnesota and NCRGScientific Advisory Board member.Dr. Blanco is a professor of clinicalpsychiatry at Columbia UniversityCollege of Physicians and Surgeons.

A highlight of this year’s AnnualEducation Summit was a luncheonco-sponsored by the NCRG and theGreater Miami Chamber ofCommerce on May 1. More than 70business and civic leaders attendedthe presentation by Feldman and Dr. Winters that examined the manyways that both the commercial casinoindustry and the larger businesscommunity could collaborate toencourage the promotion ofresponsible gaming best practices

South Florida’s Leaders Learn More about the NCRG’sResearch and Resources

Continued on page 7

Dr. William Samek, past president of the Florida Psychological Association, talksabout the challenges clinicians face when treating clients with gambling disorders.


throughout the state. “It is onlythrough collaboration andcooperation that communities cantruly endorse a comprehensiveapproach to gambling disordersand responsible gaming,” Feldmansaid. Dr. Winters spoke about theimpact that NCRG-fundedresearch has made over the past 16 years, as well as the role that theNCRG has played in translatingthose research findings intoapplicable tools that are useful forall community members.

Following the luncheon,NCRG representatives met withUniversity of Miamiadministrators, student affairsprofessionals and researchers todiscuss gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses.Christine Reilly, senior researchdirector for the NCRG, discussed the NCRG’s latestresource to address this issue,CollegeGambling.org. To showhow attendees could use thisresource with their students andleadership on campus, Reillyexplained each section of thewebsite and described the waysthat the NCRG will continue todevelop CollegeGambling.org in

the future. The Annual Education Summit

wrapped up on May 2 with aworkshop for treatment providershosted in partnership with theFlorida Psychological Association.Dr. Winters led the session with hisoverview of screening andassessments for pathologicalgambling and the latest research onyouth gambling. Dr. Blancopresented his findings from thelandmark study that looked at ratesof gambling disorders amongHispanic Americans. This trainingalso kicked off the NCRG’s 2012Treatment Provider WorkshopSeries, which will travel to six citiesthis year for presentations fromsome of the field’s leadingresearchers and clinicians.

Between the various meetings,there were several opportunities forNCRG representatives to sit downwith members of the media anddiscuss the NCRG’saccomplishments, as well as futuregoals for the organization. Feldmanand Dr. Winters met with the SouthFlorida Sun-Sentinel, a meeting thatled to three articles that ran in boththe Sun-Sentinel and The MiamiHerald. Dr. Blanco also was

interviewed by Telemundo and RadioCaracol, national Spanish-languagetelevision and radio outlets, anddirected viewers and listeners tothe NCRG’s resources includingthe “Talking with Children aboutGambling” brochure in Spanish.

The NCRG conducted its firstroad tour in 2007, and has visitedCleveland, Ohio; Boston, Mass.;Denver and Central City/BlackHawk, Colo.; Chicago, Ill.; DesMoines, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; LasVegas, Nev.; and Philadelphia, Pa.

South Florida Continued from page 6

Feldman discusses the NCRG's latestresources to Florida's business and civic leaders.



What is a “social networkanalysis” of gambling disorders

and responsible gaming? The phrasemight evoke images of MarkZuckerberg in a hooded sweatshirt,or the Oscar-winning film about thecreation of Facebook. In reality, asocial network analysis (SNA) is amethod that researchers use to studyhow social connections effectbehaviors, such as problem orpathological gambling.

“It's important to realize that thisresearch relates to the naturallyoccurring social networks that we allhave with people we actually know,and not in particular to socialtechnologies like Facebook orTwitter,” said Dr. Adam Goodie, anassociate professor at the Universityof Georgia and director of theGeorgia Decisions Lab.

Dr. Goodie and his teamrecently received a $172,000 grantfrom the NCRG to study how socialconnections may impact an

individual’s gamblingbehavior. How doresearchers in this field studysomething as intangible associal connections? “Thereare two basic approaches,”said Dr. Goodie. “In an‘egocentric’ type of study,each participant reports onhis or her own personalnetwork, and there is noassumption that any twoparticipants know each other.”

The other type is a“sociocentric” analysis, which studiesall members of an existing socialstructure and examines the manyrelationships and bonds thatinfluence the members’ perspectivesand behaviors. The team atUniversity of Georgia will take an“egocentric” approach to learningabout the lives and gamblingbehaviors of nearly 250 frequentgamblers and their 30 closest social

connections, aproject thatwill produceinformation onmore than 7,000 people.

Dr. Goodie’s team will evaluate agambler’s social networks on twomajor characteristics: “density” and“centrality.” Density is the degree towhich members of your networkknow other members. In this case,the more that people in a networkknow each other, the “denser” thenetwork. “Centrality” describes thedegree to which a person in a givennetwork has connections with othersin that same social circle, oftenbecoming a person of influence.(e.g., a spouse who knows almost allof your social contacts would havehigh centrality).

By using these metrics, theresearchers will measure how

Continued on page 9

The team at University of Georgia will take an“egocentric” approach to learning about thelives and gambling behaviors of nearly 250frequent gamblers and their 30 closest socialconnections, a project that will produceinformation on more than 7,000 people.

Research Update: The Social Network of Pathological Gambling

Photo © 2012 iStockphoto.com/william87

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court

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Pete

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Dr. Goodie, NCRG-funded researcher and director of theGeorgia Decisions Lab at the University of Georgia


problematic gambling behaviorimpacts the relationships of thosesurrounding the individual who hasbeen diagnosed with pathologicalgambling. For relatively simplerelationships between the gamblingbehavior of an individual and theirpeers, the social network analysismay show something completelydifferent than more complexrelationships, depending on howclose or “dense” the social networkof a pathological gambler is whencompared with non-gamblingsituations.

The researchers also will be lookingat how an individual’s problematicgambling behavior correlates withother potential disorders, such assubstance abuse. “We know thatproblem gamblers tend to have thesetraits themselves,” said Dr. Goodie“and we are exploring whether theirentire networks might possess thesetraits to a greater degree than non-problem gamblers.”

Once Dr. Goodie and his teamhave more insight into therelationships between socialnetworks and gambling behavior,

those findings will allow them to askadditional questions about how theseresearch findings translate to real-world relationships. Though theproposed research hopes to shedlight on how social factors contributeto gambling behavior, there is stillplenty of research to be done onindividual factors such as personalitytraits and brain chemistry. “As is sooften the case in the real world,finding that one factor has a causalrole usually doesn’t rule out thepossibility that other factors also playroles.” Dr. Goodie said.

Want the latest updates on new

research and resources related

to gambling disorders and

responsible gaming? Connect

with the AGA and the NCRG

on Facebook and Twitter!

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@AGAUpdate

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Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Social Network Continued from page 8


In the public health and recoveryarena, there has been a shift in

how mental health professionalsunderstand how to best help thosewho want treatment for gamblingdisorders. As a guiding principal ofthe Substance Abuse and MentalHealth Services Administration(SAMHSA) within the U.S.Department of Health and HumanServices, the principles of “recovery-oriented systems of care” areredefining treatment methods forbehavioral health agencies. Thanksto Mark Vander Linden, executiveofficer for the Iowa GamblingTreatment Program, and his team atthe Iowa Department of PublicHealth, this new definition ofrecovery is providing a newframework to help those withgambling disorders across the state.Their collective efforts serve as amodel for public health officialsabout how to collaborate with keystakeholders to make sure the needsof a community are met in terms ofproblem and pathological gamblingrecovery services.

According to Vander Linden, arecovery-oriented system of care is“not a brand new concept, but is arethinking of how to organizeservices that the state provides toproblem and pathologicalgamblers.” This approach totreatment is person-centered andself-directed, allowing the individualto rely on their strengths and buildon the resilience of their family,community and other supportsystems.

“In recovery-oriented systems ofcare, patients are encouraged to takeresponsibility for their own health,”said Vander Linden. “It also helpseliminate the obstacles that stand intheir way, some being very tangibleproblems.”

Research shows that only 12 –15 percent of those diagnosed withpathological gambling seek formaltreatment. Common barriers tofollowing through with treatmentinclude the inability to affordtreatment due to a lack of money orhealth insurance, a lack of access toresources and ambivalence aboutchanging problematic behavior.

After a comprehensiveevaluation of their services in 2011,the Iowa Gambling TreatmentProgram determined thatimplementing a recovery-orientedsystem of care required them toincrease the tools and resources forclinicians and the general public.“We wanted to expand the view ofwhat ‘treatment’ looks like for theseindividuals,” said Vander Linden.

One way that Iowa isaccomplishing this goal is throughtheir recovery support servicesprogram, which includes a broadarray of community-based resources

designed to enhance the client’srecovery. For example, some whostruggle with pathological gamblingalso experience unmanageable debt.Iowa’s recovery support servicesmenu includes housing assistance soa patient can keep utilities runningat their residence and gas cards tohelp them travel to counselingappointments. The Iowa GamblingTreatment Program also offersElectronic Recovery SupportMessaging, which sends encouragingand informative emails to the personin recovery to help improve theirhealth, life quality and wellness.

Iowa’s shift to a recovery-oriented system of care required thecollaboration of key playersthroughout the state. In 2011, theIowa Department of Public Healthreleased a survey of adult Iowan’sgambling behaviors and attitudes.This report illustrated that the state’spublic health leaders needed toengage key stakeholders incooperative efforts, includingconvening these groups foreducation and prevention programs.

“The work doesn’t start and endwith the treatment providers whoare only focused on clients with agambling disorder. It also includes

Redefining Recovery from Gambling Disorders: The Iowa Gambling Treatment Program

Continued on page 11

“In recovery-oriented systems ofcare, patients are encouraged totake responsibility for their ownhealth.” Mark Vander Linden, executive officer for the Iowa GamblingTreatment Program


Singapore is one of the fastestgrowing gaming markets and

is poised to become the secondlargest gaming destination in theworld. Before the doors opened to the first casino, the country’sgovernment and operators putmany safeguards in place toprevent gambling disorders,including several types ofvoluntary exclusion lists and entryfees for individuals to pay beforeentering a casino. Oneorganization that is paving theway to educate Singaporeansabout pathological gambling andprovide resources for help is theNational Addictions ManagementService (NAMS), which has hadthe greatest success with onlineeducation efforts.

Founded in 2008, the missionof NAMS is to treat pathologicalgambling and other addictionsthrough inpatient and outpatient

services, counseling services andeducation groups focusing onincreasing awareness andeducation about gamblingdisorders.

In their first two years ofoperation, NAMS counselorsdiscovered that gamblingaddiction remained the third-mostcommon diagnosis in theirtreatment facilities, after drug(most common) and alcoholaddiction. From April 2010 toMarch 2011, NAMS treated 398patients for gambling disorders.Of these, 259 were new patients.This number represents about 21 percent of all new addictioncases seen by NAMS.

In response to these treatmentrates, NAMS has rolled out twonew initiatives to provideassistance, resources and supportto both problem gamblers andtheir families.

International Focus: Singapore Public Health Officials Launch OnlineInitiatives for Pathological Gamblers

treatment providers who havepatients with substance use disorders,Department of Justice personnel andother community mental and publichealth organizations who see thisissue played out among their clients,”Vander Linden said.

The 2011 report also emphasizedthe need to highlight resources forthose who want to learn how togamble responsibly. The IowaGambling Treatment Program’swebsite, www.1800betsoff.org, housesinformation about tips for responsiblegaming and includes a budgetcalculator to understand how much aperson can potentially lose whengambling, based on the odds of aparticular game. Website visitors alsocan find a guideline of what to expectif someone should call the 1-800-BETS-OFF helpline. In addition to its website, the Iowa GamblingTreatment Program created aYouTube channel with short videosexplaining the many resources itoffers.

For more information, visit theIowa Gambling Treatment Program’swebsite or YouTube channel atwww.youtube.com/1800betsoffiowa.Mark Vander Linden also will presentat the 13th annual NCRGConference on Gambling andAddiction about the IowaDepartment of Public Health’s effortsto implement recovery-orientedsystems of care. For more informationon that event, please visitwww.ncrg.org/conference.


Photo © 2012 iStockphoto.com/justhavealook

Iowa GamblingTreatment Continued from page 10

The first initiative is an online, interactiveself-help workbook designed for problemgamblers who are experiencing minor to mildproblems and are reluctant to seek formaltreatment. It serves as an initial, accessible wayfor individuals to gain greater insight into theirgambling behavior and is culturally sensitive tothe needs of the Singapore community.

Comprising five chapters, the workbookguides users to look at their triggers for gambling,provides information that challenges many of thecommon beliefs held by problem gamblers andhas information on how to develop strategies tosay “no” to gambling opportunities and limitaccess to money. The chapters delineate what agambling disorder is, how to recognize problemgambling and actionable steps individuals can take tomanage their addiction.

“Through this workbook, we hope to marry thebenefits of the Internet — the accessibility and flexibilityit offers — with the non-threatening concept of a self-guided intervention,” said Lawrence Tan, a NAMSpsychologist and a member of the workbook’sdevelopment team. However, he also cautioned that“[self-guided interventions] are meant only as atreatment adjunct, and as a first step to raise thegambler’s awareness of his/her own gambling behaviorso that he/she can consider seeking professional help.Online self-guided interventions are not meant toreplace traditional modes of treatment.”

The second initiative launched by NAMS is agroup psycho-education program entitled “Families inRecovery through Education & Empowerment”(FREE). Because gamblers themselves are oftenresistant to seeking help, the family becomes animportant avenue for intervention. To assist thesefamilies, NAMS started the FREE pilot outreachprogram, which covers how to recognize gamblingaddiction, the impact on families, the best practices forfamily members to help their loved ones, treatmentservices at NAMS, and other community resources.

“The FREE program makes information andsupport from addictions professionals easily accessibleto families of problematic gamblers not in treatment,”

said Wong Kim Eng, clinical director of NAMS andassociate professor for Singapore’s Institute of MentalHealth. “By offering this service, we want to reach outto these families so that they do not have to strugglealone.”

The FREE program has a history of being a helpfulresource for participants. “I have two uncles whosesuccessful careers and family lives went downhillbecause of their gambling problems,” said oneindividual, who wished to remain anonymous. “Theyalso borrowed heavily from friends and relatives,including my family. Clearly, they needed help butwere unwilling to seek it. Witnessing their problems, I attended FREE with two other close family members.I find that FREE empowers family members with theknowledge of how to identify problem gambling in itsvarious stages and equips them with a clear action planto arrest the development of the problem. FREE is alsoan avenue where affected family members can seekadvice, get their questions answered and find support.”

For more information, visit www.nams.sg.

“By offering this [FREE program] service,we want to reach out to these families sothat they do not have to struggle alone.”Wong Kim Eng, clinical director of NAMS and associate professor forSingapore’s Institute of Mental Health

International Focus Continued from page 11


Photo © 2012 iStockphoto.com/quavondo


This March, the Problem Gambling Council ofColorado (PGCC) and the Colorado Lottery

joined forces to help students showcase theircreativity and educate the community aboutgambling disorders and responsible gamingthrough the first “21 is a Must”scholarship contest. Highschool and college studentsfrom across the state wereinvited to create a postereducating youth about theage requirement for gamblingand the warning signs ofproblem gambling. Entrantscompeted for twoscholarships: the first-placewinner received a $2,000award and the runner-up wasawarded $1,000.

“The creativity, originality,content and style of the entriesexceeded our expectations, asdid the educational value of thesubmissions,” said Lois Rice,PGCC board member andexecutive director of theColorado Gaming Association.“The excellence of these entriesmade it extremely difficult toselect a winner.”

While only in its first year, 14students entered the contest, and thefirst-place scholarship went toHannah Byerly from Trinidad StateJunior College; Kelly Carter fromColorado State University receivedthe second place scholarship.Byerly’s entry included a studentwho was standing on the side of theroad, with a sign stating “Don’t Bet Your Future.” “Whenadolescents are making the choice to gamble underage,they are betting more than they think,” Byerly said.

The winning posters will be reproduced anddistributed in educational marketing materials

throughout Colorado during theAmerican Gaming Association’s(AGA) Responsible GamingEducation Week (RGEW) from July 30 – Aug. 3. This annual eventwas created by the AGA to promotethe industry’s ongoing efforts toeducate employees, patrons and thepublic about responsible gaming. It also provides gaming companiesand problem gambling associationsacross the country with anopportunity to expand theirexisting efforts to address the issuesof underage and problem gaming.

“We work diligently with ourpartners in the gamingcommunity to constantlyreinforce the age requirements

for participating ingaming activitiesand to educate thepublic aboutproblemgambling,” saidMatt Robbins,CommunityRelations Specialistfor the ColoradoLottery and PGCCBoard member. “The

poster contest is a great way to engage young people inthis effort, and we’re proud to be involved. Given thesuccess of this year’s program, we look forward to nextyear’s contest.”

“21 is a Must” – Colorado Youth Educate PeersAbout Responsible Gaming

“The creativity, originality, content and style ofthe entries exceeded our expectations, as didthe educational value of the submissions.” Lois Rice, PGCC board member and executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association


As middle and high school studentshead back to the classroom this

fall, the National Center forResponsible Gaming (NCRG), inpartnership with Young MindsInspired (YMI), will distribute theback-to-school initiative titled “Knowthe Odds.” Last fall, the NCRG andYMI developed this program basedon the NCRG’s brochure“Talking with Childrenabout Gambling.” Thematerial debuted inmore than 410 schools inLas Vegas, Nev., Biloxi,Miss., and Atlantic City,N.J. For 2012, theprogram will expand toinclude not only thosesame cities, but newmarkets, such asPhiladelphia, Pa., Chicago,Ill., St. Louis and KansasCity, Mo., Reno, Nev.,Miami, Fla., and San Diego,Calif.

“We’re excited aboutthis program and gratified tobe working with YoungMinds Inspired,” said NCRG Chairman Alan Feldman.This is an organization with a successful track record ofcreating educational programs to stimulate young adults.”

The “Know the Odds” school initiative aims toencourage teachers and parents to help studentsunderstand the warning signs of problem gambling andthe facts about underage gambling. A component of theprogram provides teachers with training materials thatinclude a program guide, classroom posters and handoutsfor students and parents that meet both nationaleducation standards and practical classroom needs. All materials are provided to schools free of charge.

The primary componentof the curriculum is the“Talking with Children aboutGambling” brochure, aresearch-based guide createdby the NCRG in consultationwith the Division onAddictions at CambridgeHealth Alliance, a teachingaffiliate of Harvard MedicalSchool. It was designed tohelp parents, and others whowork with youth, deterchildren from gambling andrecognize possible warningsigns of problem gamblingand other risky behaviors.

The NCRG decided topublish “Talking withChildren about Gambling”after a study of empirical

research revealed that adolescents are at ahigher risk for developing a gamblingdisorder than adults. Studies show thatchildren between the ages of 14 and 19 aretwo to seven times more likely to develop aproblem with gambling than adults. Anestimated 6 to 15 percent of youth have

gambling problems that are less severe, while only 2 to 3percent of adults fall into this category. Additionally, mostadults with a gambling problem started gambling at anearly age.

Because youth gambling is not always easily visible,the aim of the brochure and the school initiative is toalert parents of the potential risks of such activities andoffer helpful guidelines for those who may suspect theirchildren might have a problem with gambling or otherrisky behaviors.

The guidelines in the brochure and the “Know theOdds” materials are grounded in research findings thathelp parents understand why young people engage in

National Partnership Teaches Childrento “Know the Odds”



risky behaviors despite negative consequences, andwhat can be done to help them make better choices.Specifically, it advises parents on how to:• steer their children away from risky behaviors by

monitoring their activities without being controlling; • create an open environment for communication; • set clear rules; • help them develop healthy coping strategies for the

stresses of adolescence; and

• understand how their attitudes toward gambling andgambling behavior might influence their children.

The brochure also provides parents withinformation on where to find assistance if their childdoes indeed have a gambling problem. It is availablein both English and Spanish as a free download in thePublic Education and Outreach section ofwww.ncrg.org.

Akey part of the National Center for ResponsibleGaming’s (NCRG) mission is to translate the latest

research findings about pathological and youthgambling into practical real-world applications. Thisincludes the creation of the NCRG’s Treatment ProviderWorkshop Series, a set of regional training sessions forcounselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatristsand other mental health professionals. Launched in2011, the series provides clinicians the opportunity to

learn directly from research experts, giving them thelatest science-based information and best practices on awide range of topics relating to gambling disorders.With six workshops in 2011 and more on the way in thecoming year, this NCRG program is off to a great start.

The idea for this ongoing program sprang from the2010 NCRG Annual Education Summit in Cleveland,Ohio. Dr. Jon E. Grant, co-director of the ImpulseControl Disorders Clinic and principal investigator ofthe NCRG Center of Excellence in Gambling Researchat the University of Minnesota, led a training session forclinicians in a jurisdiction that had just legalized anexpansion of casinos into its area. In partnership withthe Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental HealthServices (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County, theNCRG organized a free workshop for mental healthprofessionals and offered continuing education credits.Approximately 100 participants attended, and its successopened the doors for the NCRG to continue this modelin other locations across the nation.

In 2011, the NCRG officially launched theTreatment Provider Workshop Series in Boston, Mass.,


Regional Workshop Series Brings Together Leading Research Experts and Clinicians

NCRG-funded researcher Dr. Matthew Martens of the Universityof Missouri - Columbia presents his research to clinicians at atreatment provider workshop in Detroit, Mich. in October 2011.

Know the Odds Continued from page 14

fittingly during that year’s Summit. Dr. Lisa Najavits, aprofessor of psychiatry at Boston University School ofMedicine and member of the NCRG ScientificAdvisory Board, conducted a session about a science-based treatment method for those with post-traumaticstress disorder and pathological gambling. This trainingwas held in partnership with the Massachusetts Councilon Compulsive Gambling. Other 2011 workshopsessions were held in Iowa City, Iowa, San Diego,Calif., Las Vegas, Nev. and Detroit, Mich.

“Each session of the NCRG’s Treatment ProviderWorkshop is important for making sure that cliniciansare exposed to the latest research and resources, as it’san important part of their continuing education,” said Christine Reilly, senior research director for theNCRG. “We are pleased to be able to bring theresearchers and clinicians face-to-face, since so many of the clinicians don’t specialize in treating gamblingdisorders. Because it is a free training, even the publicand gaming industry employees are encouraged toparticipate.”

The 2012 NCRG Treatment Provider WorkshopSeries is well underway, having already conducted twotrainings. The first was led by Dr. Ken Winters of theUniversity of Minnesota during the Annual EducationSummit in Miami, Fla. Dr. Winters gave an overview ofthe assessment tools most often used to diagnosegambling disorders. On May 18, Dr. Grant returned to

lead a session for Pittsburgh, Pa., clinicians titled“Helping Clients Overcome Impulse Control Disordersand Address Youth Gambling.”

Additional sessions in the 2012 training seriesinclude stops in Kansas City, Mo., with Dr. SerenaKing, an assistant professor at Hamline University, onJune 7; Las Vegas, Nev., with Dr. Najavits on Sept. 29;and additional trainings that are being scheduled inDenver, Colo., and Indianapolis, Ind. For moreinformation on future workshop sessions, visit theNCRG’s public education and outreach section atwww.ncrg.org.

The NCRG is currently planning sessions for 2013and looking for local partners to collaborate on theseworkshops. Anyone interested in partnering to providea training session should contact Amy Martin,communications and outreach manager for the NCRG,at [email protected] or 202-552-2689.

“Each session of the NCRG’s TreatmentProvider Workshop is important formaking sure that clinicians are exposedto the latest research and resources, asit’s an important part of their continuingeducation.” Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG

Treatment Provider Workshop Continued from page 15



Research has shown that between12 to 15 percent of people with

gambling problems will seektreatment1. How can the other 85 percent get help? This question is at the heart of a new set of onlineself-help tools developed by TheProblem Gambling Institute ofOntario (PGIO) at the Centre forAddiction and Mental Health. TheSelf-Help Gambling Tools, availableat www.ProblemGambling.ca, arebased on research by Dr. DavidHodgins, professor of psychology atthe University of Calgary2 and the2010 NCRG Scientific AchievementAward winner.

Dr. Hodgins has been studyingthe usefulness of self-help workbooksfor pathological gamblers for morethan 10 years. Like workbooks, thetools on the PGIO’s website weredesigned to provide access toinformation and resources at anytime from any location. This openaccess helps to avoid common barriers for seekingtreatment such as shame, time constraints, lack oftransportation and having to admit to others that onemight have a gambling problem.

The information on the PGIO’s website providesfour categories of self-help tools and resources. TheSelf Assessment portion explores an individual’sreasons for gambling excessively and potentialconsequences. The Making Your Decision sectiongives the participant the opportunity to outline theirthoughts of the costs of gambling and set goals to stopproblem gambling behavior. Reaching Your Goal

explains the practical applications of how to recoverfrom a gambling disorder and helps the person bygiving tips on how to minimize harm and deal withthe consequences. Finally, the Maintaining Your Goalsection examines the ongoing recovery from agambling disorder, including tips on repairingrelationships and avoiding relapse.

The website also provides information for familyand friends concerned about a loved one’s gamblingbehaviors, such as advice on taking care of finances,setting limits and encouraging someone to seektreatment.


Treatment Goes Mobile: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Launches a Self-help Websiteand Mobile App to Educate about Problem Gambling

1 Slutske, W. S. (2006). Natural recovery and treatment-seeking in pathological gambling: results of two U.S. national surveys.American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(2), 297–302. doi:163/2/297 [pii] 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.2.297

2 Hodgins, D. C., Currie, S., el-Guebaly, N., & Peden, N. (2004). Brief motivational treatment for problem gambling: A 24-monthfollow-up. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18(3), 293–6. doi:2004-19092-012 [pii] 10.1037/0893-164X.18.3.293

Treatment Goes Mobile Continued from page 17

In the coming months, PGIO will also release amobile app, titled “Monitor Your Gambling and Urges”(MYGU). This web tool allows a user to keep track ofwhen they feel the urge to gamble, whether or not theygambled, how they avoided (or didn’t avoid) gamblingand the feelings associated with these behaviors.MYGU can also use this data to create reports to helpan individual objectively see their responses over timeand understand if their urges are decreasing, increasingor staying the same.

“If you’re trying to resist gambling urges, you mightfind doing these activities is a great way to avoid thetemptation to gamble,” said Robert Murray, managerof the problem gambling project at the PGIO.“Therapists and other helping professionals can also usethese tools to complement their counseling sessions byencouraging their clients to access them from homebetween visits.”

This data can also be used by researchers interestedin studying gambling urges and behaviors. When anindividual registers for the service they have the optionto grant researchers access to their anonymousdemographic and behavioral data. This informationmay provide researchers with new insights into thefeelings associated with gambling disorders, which mayimprove the effectiveness of the self-help workbooksand inform research on this field.

Since the toolkit launched in April 2012, thewebsite has received more than 5,000 total visits andmore than 350 people have registered to use the onlinetools. Additionally, almost 50 percent of returning usershave visited the site more than 9 times, suggesting thatthey are finding the information and tools usefulenough to access repeatedly. “It allowed me to examinemyself and find ways to improve while developingskills,” said an anonymous user.

2012 Calendar of EventsJuly 13 – 1426th Annual National Conference

on Problem GamblingMilwaukee, Wisc.

Aug. 16 – 1716th Annual Responsible Gaming Association

of New Mexico ConferenceAlbuquerque, N.M.

July 30 - Aug. 3Responsible Gaming Education Week

Sept. 29NCRG Treatment Provider Workshop

for Nevada CliniciansLas Vegas, Nev.

Sept. 30 – Oct. 213th Annual NCRG Conference

on Gambling and AddictionLas Vegas, Nev.

Oct. 1 – 4Global Gaming ExpoLas Vegas, Nev.

If you know of events that should be included on the RGQ calendar, e-mail your suggestions to [email protected].

“If you’re trying to resist gambling urges, you might find doing theseactivities is a great way to avoid the temptation to gamble.” Robert Murray, manager of the problem gambling project at the PGIO

Documents

Responsible Gaming Quarterly - Summer 2012