MGM Resorts International, one of the leading global hospitality and entertainment companies, has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible gambling by renewing its grant to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). The ICRG is a non-profit organization that conducts and supports research and education on gambling disorder and responsible gambling.
MGM Resorts’ Grant to the ICRG
MGM Resorts has been a long-time supporter of the ICRG, having contributed more than $1.5 million to the organization since 2009. The latest grant of $250,000, announced on March 31, 2022, will help the ICRG to fund research projects and programs that aim to advance the understanding and prevention of gambling-related harms.
The grant will also support the ICRG’s annual conference, which brings together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and treatment providers to share and discuss the latest findings and best practices in the field of responsible gambling. The conference, which will be held in Las Vegas in June 2022, will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and poster sessions.
MGM Resorts’ grant to the ICRG is part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility strategy, which includes investing in community development, environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and employee engagement. The company also has a comprehensive responsible gambling program, called GameSense, which provides information and resources to help guests make informed and sensible decisions about their gambling behavior.
The ICRG’s Mission and Vision
The ICRG was founded in 1996 by the American Gaming Association, the trade association representing the U.S. casino industry, with the goal of creating a scientific foundation for responsible gambling policies and practices. The ICRG is an independent and impartial organization that operates with a strict firewall between its donors and its research activities.
The ICRG’s mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder through groundbreaking research and education that drives innovation and best practices in prevention, treatment, and responsible gambling. The ICRG’s vision is to create a world where gambling disorder is understood, prevented, and treated as a public health issue.
The ICRG funds research projects through a competitive and peer-reviewed process, involving experts from various disciplines and backgrounds. The ICRG also publishes the Journal of Gambling Studies, the leading academic journal in the field of gambling research, and hosts the largest online library of gambling-related publications.
The ICRG’s research and education initiatives cover a wide range of topics, such as the prevalence and risk factors of gambling disorder, the effectiveness and accessibility of treatment options, the impact of gambling disorder on families and communities, the role of technology and innovation in gambling behavior, and the development and evaluation of responsible gambling tools and strategies.
The Importance of Responsible Gambling Research
Responsible gambling research is essential for enhancing the knowledge and awareness of gambling disorder and its consequences, as well as for developing and implementing evidence-based solutions and interventions. Responsible gambling research can also inform and influence public policy and industry practices, as well as foster collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders.
According to the World Health Organization, gambling disorder is a clinically significant impairment in the ability to control one’s gambling behavior, leading to negative consequences for the individual, their family, and society. Gambling disorder affects an estimated 1.4% of the global adult population, and can be associated with other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide.
Responsible gambling research can help to identify the causes and correlates of gambling disorder, as well as the factors that protect or promote responsible gambling behavior. Responsible gambling research can also help to design and test effective prevention and intervention programs, such as screening and referral services, self-exclusion schemes, limit-setting tools, and harm-reduction strategies.
Responsible gambling research can also help to evaluate the social and economic impacts of gambling, such as the benefits and costs of gambling regulation, taxation, and legalization, as well as the effects of gambling on employment, tourism, crime, and public health. Responsible gambling research can also help to assess the ethical and social responsibility of the gambling industry, as well as the expectations and perceptions of the gambling consumers and the general public.
The Future of Responsible Gambling Research
Responsible gambling research is a dynamic and evolving field that faces new challenges and opportunities in the changing landscape of gambling. The emergence and proliferation of new forms and modes of gambling, such as online, mobile, and social gambling, as well as the introduction and adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and biometrics, pose new questions and implications for responsible gambling research.
Responsible gambling research also needs to adapt and respond to the changing needs and preferences of the gambling consumers, as well as the changing demographics and diversity of the gambling population. Responsible gambling research also needs to address the gaps and limitations in the current knowledge and evidence base, as well as the barriers and facilitators to the dissemination and implementation of research findings and recommendations.
Responsible gambling research also needs to foster and enhance the collaboration and communication among the various stakeholders and sectors involved in gambling, such as researchers, policymakers, regulators, industry operators, treatment providers, advocacy groups, and gambling consumers. Responsible gambling research also needs to engage and empower the gambling consumers and the public in the co-creation and co-evaluation of responsible gambling research and practice.
MGM Resorts’ grant to the ICRG is a testament to the company’s leadership and commitment to responsible gambling research and education. The grant will enable the ICRG to continue and expand its vital work in advancing the science and practice of responsible gambling, and ultimately, improving the lives and well-being of individuals and families affected by gambling disorder.
