23rd ICRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated to scientific research on gambling disorder and evidence-based educational programming. The ICRG’s mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder through the highest quality research and education. Nearly $40 million has been committed to the ICRG through contributions from the casino gaming industry, equipment manufacturers, vendors, related organizations, and individuals.

Treating Gambling Harms: Valuable Strategies for Engaging and Retaining Our Clients

February 27, 2:00 PM EST
Speaker: Dr. James Whelan, Professor, University of Memphis; Head, Gamblers Clinic, University of Memphis

The evidence supports that gambling-specific treatment can reduce the symptoms, gambling behavior and possible enhance well-being. At the same time, only 10-15% of individuals experiencing gambling harm seek treatment and 39% of treatment seekers discontinue treatment before a therapeutic does. This webinar will review this evidence and the evidence for addressing treatment hesitancy and dropout.

Research on Responsible Gambling: Where Are We Going?

March 14, 2:00 PM EDT
Speakers: Jeremiah Weinstock, PhD, Saint Louis University
Michael Wohl, PhD, Carleton University
Sarah Nelson, PhD, Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance
David Hodgins, PhD, University of Calgary

A panel of investigators with experience in responsible gambling research, will address what needs to be done for the field to advance. Topics include:

• Do we have a validated measure of “safe gambling”?
• What should operators know before allowing researchers to access their data?

The Power of Language in Addiction Treatment and Responsible Gambling

April 18, 2:00 PM EDT
Speakers: Rory Pfund, PhD, University of Memphis

Michael J. A. Wohl, PhD, Carleton University

Does stigmatizing language cause drop-out from addiction treatment? Does it keep gamblers from taking advantage of responsible gambling (RG) tools? The American Society of Addiction Medicine has led the way in proposing non- stigmatizing language for use by treatment professionals. Similarly, researchers working on Positive Play, a responsible gambling approach, have proposed changes in the language and concepts of RG. This session will provide treatment providers and responsible gambling professionals guidance on how to improve communication with clients and gamblers.

Responsible Gambling Information Centers: A Review of Key Scientific Research Findings, Discussion of Best Practices and the GameSense Program

May 18, 2:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Eric Louderback, PhD, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School

Open Science in Gambling Research

June 27, 2:00 PM EDT
Speakers: Debi LaPlante, PhD, Harvard Medical School
Brett Abarbanel, PhD, UNLV
David Mellor, PhD, Center for Open Science

Open Science (OS) is the movement to make scientific research, data and their dissemination available to any member of an inquiring society, from professionals to citizens. Open Science practices include pre-registration of research questions and hypotheses, and open access to materials and data. The goal of OS is to foster transparency and create a valid, reliable, and replicable scientific literature.

The panel will first discuss OS strategies and then explore how OS principles and practices can be integrated with existing guidelines for industry-funded research on gambling disorder to ensure that the research process is ethical, transparent, and unbiased.