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.”
