What Science Can Do For You The Impact of NCRG on the Field of Gambling Studies

1. What Science Can Do For You The Impact of NCRG on the Field of Gambling Studies Kevin P. Mullally, Member NCRG Board of Directors

2. National Center for Responsible Gaming Established 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 andresponsible gaming NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 2

3. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 3

4. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 4

5. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 5

6. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 6

7. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 7

8. Original NCRG Funders • Boyd Gaming Corporation • Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. • International Game Technology (IGT) • Mandalay Resort Group • MGM MIRAGE • Grand Casinos • Station Casinos NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 8

9. 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. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 9

10. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 10

11. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 11

12. In 2000, the NCRG established the first U.S. research center focused on gambling disorders at Harvard Medical School. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 12

13. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 13

14. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 14

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16. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 16

17. Impact of NCRG • Publication in a peer-reviewed journal provides independent confirmation of scientific merit NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 17

18. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 18

19. 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 Research Topics NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 19

20. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 20

21. Impact of NCRG In 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.” NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 21

22. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 22

23. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 23

24. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 24

25. EMERGE • EMERGE 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 25

26. Commitment to Education NCRG Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction • 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 26

27. NCRG Annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction Responsible Gaming, Regulation, and Recovery: Testing Conventional Wisdom Nov. 11-13, 2007 Paris Las Vegas Register online at www.ncrg.org NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 27

28. New Monograph Series INCREASING THE ODDS A Series Dedicated to Understanding Gambling Disorders Volume 1: Youth and College Gambling • 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 28

29. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 29

30. 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 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 30

31. For More Information www.ncrg.org www.divisiononaddictions.org/institute Kevin P. Mullally General Counsel & Director of Government Affairs Gaming Laboratories International 7160 Amigo Street Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 236-9508 k.mullally@gaminglabs.com NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 31

32. THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING Advancing Research, Education and Awareness NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMING | 32