ICRG Webinar Recordings

2022 Webinar Series

Brain Connections: Start Talking With Visitors About Gambling and the Brain

April 28, 2022 1:30 PM EDT
Speakers: Dr. Iris Balodis, PhD; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences; Associate Director, Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research; McMaster University
Deirdre Querney, MSW, Registered Social Worker, City of Hamilton’s Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Services

"I can’t stop gambling…every time I lose, I keep coming back…why?” “It’s not fun anymore, so why do I feel like I need to gamble?” “When the casinos were closed during the pandemic, why did I switch addictions?” “How do features of a slot machine affect my brain? “Why does my brother keep gambling even when he’s lost everything?”
As someone who works with people who gamble – either as a clinician, RG specialist, or operator, how do you respond when you are asked these questions?
This session will describe Brain Connections – tools you can use to educate the public about the brain and gambling. Brain Connections (www.brainconnections.ca) was developed as a partnership between problem gambling researchers and clinicians. This knowledge translation project features educational tools for the public that are designed to assist you in answering frequently asked questions about the brain, gambling and how problems might develop.

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Can Motivational Messages Engage Individuals At-risk for Gambling Disorder in an Online Assessment?

May 19, 2022 2:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Dr. Samuel C. Peter, Ph.D, Postdoctoral Psychology Fellow, Durham VA

Although the majority of individuals who gamble do not experience significant gambling-related harm, to varying degrees, a significant portion do. Understanding best practices for how to increase utilization of helping resources is an important step in developing effective harm-reduction strategies. This presentation will focus on translating the psychological science around motivation into practical strategies for how to increase the likelihood that individuals at risk for experiencing gambling-related will avail themselves of helping resources. Relevant prior research, a recently published ICRG-funded experiment, and implications for the future of gambling-harm prevention will be discussed.

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Exploring Responsible Gambling Options for Harm Minimization in the Field of Online Lottery

June 28, 2022 2:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Dr. Alex Price, Senior Researcher, Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices; Responsible Gaming Council

This session will cover the first phase of a research project exploring responsible gambling options for harm minimization in the field of online lottery. Through reviews of peer-reviewed literature and key lottery jurisdictions from around the world, a synthesis of evidence-informed options and industry adoption was produced. Dr. Price’s research was supported by a collaboration between the ICRG and the Hoosier Lottery.

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2021 Webinars Series

What’s in a Name? Evaluating the Public Stigma of Gambling Disorder

June 15, 2021 2:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Dr. Leanne Quigley, Assistant Professor, Yeshiva University

Public stigma of gambling disorder has negative effects on the mental health and functioning of affected individuals and impedes treatment-seeking. One factor thought to be implicated in stigma is the label used to describe the condition. The aims of Dr. Quigley’s research were to: (1) evaluate whether different labels for problematic gambling behavior influence public stigma; and (2) compare public stigma of gambling disorder to other health conditions.

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The Psychological Science of Forgiveness - What Is It and When Should It be Offered (To Others and the Self)?

May 19, 2021 2:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Dr. Michael J. A. Wohl, Professor and Graduate Chair, Carleton University

Who hasn't been hurt by the actions of others, or inflicted harm on the self? Perhaps a colleague sabotaged a project. Maybe you've had a traumatic experience perpetrated by a close other. Or you may be feeling intense guilt for engaging in addictive behavior. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger and bitterness that can beget more pain and suffering. Of course, an alternative is to forgive—to let go of your negative thoughts and feelings. In fact, we are often implored or even pressured to do so. We are told forgiveness isn’t only the “nice thing to do” but “the right thing to do”. During this conversation, we will discuss what forgiveness is from a psychological perspective. We will also gain a better understanding of when and why research suggests forgiveness of others and the self can be a real change agent, but also when it can undermine health and well-being.

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