Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming- February 11, 2025- The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) has relocated from the Boston suburbs to Las Vegas in the midst of overseeing 42 studies and managing a record $3.84 million in contributions.

Since its launch in 1996, the ICRG has helped individuals and families affected by gambling disorders. Its mission is to prevent the onset of gambling problems through high-quality scientific research and evidence-based educational programming. The organization works to impact public policy, strengthen responsible-gambling efforts, and improve the health and well-being of the communities affected by the industry, according to ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky.

The American Gaming Association started the ICRG when no research on gambling harm was underway done in an effort to deal with it effectively. Since the AGA is an advocacy organization for the gaming industry, however, the ICRG needed to be separate from it to meet its objective.

“We’re trying to understand how one person can bring $100 into a casino and have a great time, while the other person ends up in a really dark space,” Paikowskys said. “It’s an addictive behavior. Some 1% to 2% of people who gamble have a diagnosable gambling disorder and statistically, another 5% to 7% are considered problem gamblers. It’s impossible to believe nobody is going to be negatively affected, but let’s mitigate the harm the best that we can. The best way to do that is to understand things better and to give people who are making decisions that impact the industry, legislators, and regulators information so that they can make informed decisions.”

Read more here.

Las Vegas, NV- February 10, 2025- The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) seeks a new President. The ICRG is the preeminent organization doing research to prevent harm to those who gamble. As the gaming industry grows and evolves throughout the world, the powerful research of ICRG is driving change and leading the field forward. Since 1996, we have provided independent, peer-reviewed research that helps increase the understanding of gambling harms and finds effective methods of mitigation. Our work impacts public policy, strengthening responsible gaming and improving the health and well-being of people and communities affected by the continued growth of the industry. Currently, 42 studies are underway.

The President is the chief executive officer of ICRG and is responsible for a budget of over $3.8 million dollars. Funds are primarily secured through grants from industry funders along with sponsorships of our annual conference and golf tournament. 2024 was our most successful fundraising year in history. The President serves at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board and a board comprised of 20 industry leaders, academics, and tribal members.

The President is responsible for producing monthly financials along with an annual audit to assure the ongoing financial viability of the organization. ICRG currently employs four other staff—three full-time and one part-time—all of whom report directly to the President.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of professional or volunteer fundraising experience as well as an equal number of years in the field of not-for-profit management. Further, connections in the gambling industry are an asset, as well as experience in a research-oriented environment.

If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to Arthur Paikowsky at apaikowsky@icrg.org.

Las Vegas, NV- January 23, 2025 – The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) is excited to announce its relocation to a new headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. This move reflects ICRG’s commitment to being at the heart of the gaming industry and fostering greater collaboration with stakeholders across the field. Effective immediately, our new contact information is: International Center for Responsible Gaming 101 Convention Center Drive, Suite 600 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: 978-338-6610 Fax: 978-552-8452 Email: info@icrg.org As we begin the new year, we look forward to continuing our mission to advance research and education on gambling disorder and responsible gambling. Our new location will be a hub for collaboration, innovation, and progress within the gaming and research communities. For media inquiries, please contact us at nmancini@icrg.org or call 978-338-6610.

Las Vegas, NC – September 25, 2024 – The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) is pleased to announce that Dr. Rory A. Pfund has been selected for the 2024 ICRG Scientific Achievement Award. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Pfund’s outstanding contributions to gambling studies and his significant impact on advancing research in gambling disorder and responsible gambling.

Dr. Pfund, who received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Memphis in 2020, is a Research Assistant Professor at The University of Memphis and the Clinic and Research Director at the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education & Research. Despite being an early-stage researcher, Dr. Pfund has already authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, many of which focus on the treatment and prevention of gambling disorder. His work has set new standards in the field by applying cutting-edge meta-analytic methodologies to evaluate the efficacy of psychological treatments for gambling harm.

One of Dr. Pfund’s most notable achievements is developing an open-access meta-analytic database for the larger Metapsy project. This database includes comprehensive data on psychological treatments for mental health conditions worldwide, with gambling disorder as the first and only addiction disorder currently represented. His work has not only elevated the research on gambling disorder but has also positioned it as a model for understanding other mental health and addictive disorders.

Dr. Pfund’s research has been instrumental in achieving the official recognition of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for gambling disorder as an empirically supported treatment by the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Psychology. This recognition is a significant milestone, as gambling disorder had not been included on the SCP’s treatment list since its designation as an addiction in 2013.

In addition to his research, Dr. Pfund is leading a new three-year study funded by the ICRG to develop an innovative web-based intervention to prevent gambling problems among college students in Tennessee. This intervention is poised to significantly reduce gambling-related harm in the student population.

“We are honored to present Dr. Rory Pfund with the 2024 Scientific Achievement Award,” said Art Arthur Paikowsky, President at ICRG. “His groundbreaking research has not only contributed to our understanding of gambling disorder but has also laid the foundation for future advancements in the treatment and prevention of addiction. We look forward to seeing how his work will continue to shape the field.”

The award will be presented at the upcoming ICRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 6, 2024. For more information about the conference and the award, please visit https://www.icrg.org/event/25th-icrg-conference-on-gambling-and-addiction/

Sign in to this webinar, recorded on June 20, 2024, to watch Dr. Bonnie Lee, PhD, RMFT-S, RSW, professor in the Addictions Counseling Program and a research affiliate at the University of Lethbridge with over 25 years of counseling experience. Her research indicates that Congruence Couple Therapy can yield better outcomes than individual-based therapies for clients with gambling problems, highlighting the importance of identifying mechanisms of change in psychotherapeutic treatment models.

Click here to register and watch the webinar.

Art Paikowsky, President of the ICRG said the first edition of the ICE gaming expo in Barcelona will see the iconic event elevating “to another level.”

Barcelona will be the host city for Clarion Gaming’s ICE and iGB Affiliate conferences from 2025, bringing an end to a 12-year tenure at ExCeL London.

https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2024/04/24/71873-barcelona-will-raise-ice-expo-to-34another-level-34-predicts-safer-gambling-expert