NCRG’S 11th Annual Conference To Focus On Redefining Diagnosis, Treatment, Research And Responsible Gaming For The 21st Century

Presentations to Feature New Research and Best Practices by Leading Experts; Conference to Coincide with Global Gaming Expo

May 4, 2010

WASHINGTON—For its 11thannual Conference on Gambling and Addiction, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced it will take a close look at how new research is redefining how we diagnose, treat, study and prevent gambling disorders, and the implications these changes have for responsible gaming programs. The event is scheduled for Nov. 14-16, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The 2010 conference—themed “Redefining Diagnosis, Treatment Research and Responsible Gaming for the 21stCentury”—will bring together the world’s leading addiction scientists, clinicians and academics with health care professionals, gaming industry representatives, government officials and regulators to discuss the most pressing issues in the field of gambling disorders and responsible gaming. The conference will be presented by the NCRG and the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders in partnership with the NCRG Centers of Excellence at the University of Minnesota and Yale University.

“For a decade, the NCRG Conference has provided a unique forum where the various stakeholders in the field of gambling disorders come together to discuss the latest research, share best practices and explore real-world applications for new scientific findings,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “This year we will review recent developments in the diagnostic, treatment and research fields with an eye on how the progress made can be applied to developing the most effective prevention and responsible gaming initiatives.”

Sessions at the 2010 conference will examine a variety of compelling issues and topics including the proposed changes to the diagnosis of pathological gambling in theDSM-Vand their implications for treatment providers, researchers and policymakers. Other sessions will explore new approaches for studying and treating minority populations, using Motivational Interviewing for treatment of disordered gambling, the implications of new gambling technology, fresh ideas for implementing responsible gaming policies in new gaming jurisdictions and much more.

In addition, the NCRG Conference is introducing new breakout sessions this year, which will provide interactive small-group learning opportunities for conference attendees. Workshop sessions will look at public policies on responsible gambling; provide for a discussion of the adolescent brain and the implications for addiction; and review how colleges, communities and gaming operators are coming together to reduce problem gambling on campuses; among other topics.

The 11thannual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will continue its partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the premier gaming industry trade show and conference event, to make essential information about gambling disorders available to a wider audience. The final day of sessions for the NCRG Conference will be held at G2E 2010, scheduled for Nov. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. These “NCRG at G2E sessions” are part of G2E’s corporate social responsibility conference track and this year will highlight elements of effective responsible gaming strategies, the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs, responsible gaming in the remote gambling arena, and how a revised definition of pathological gambling could impact the gaming industry.

“The addictions field is on the cusp of historic change with the proposed changes to theDSM-V, and bringing together these various groups from the scientific, treatment, government and industry communities to share knowledge about important developments in the field is essential to ensuring we can effectively understand and address gambling-related harms,” said Christine Reilly, executive director of the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders. “By offering a comprehensive presentation of how these and other current issues are affecting the field through the insights of a wide range of experts, the NCRG Conference will provide attendees with essential information and resources to help them in their pursuits to address gambling disorders.”

As part of the 2010 conference, the NCRG will present its annual Scientific Achievement Awards, which recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the study of gambling-related disorders. An international request for nominations for these awards will be issued this summer.

More information about the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction is available on the NCRG’s website (www.ncrg.org). To stay up-to-date on year-round educational opportunities and the latest news and issues in the field, visit the Institute’s blog – Gambling Disorders 360° – and connect with the NCRG on Facebook.

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The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research that helps increase understanding of pathological and youth gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the NCRG is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. For more information, visitwww.ncrg.org. NCRG funds provide grants to researchers to increase understanding of pathological gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The funds are distributed through the Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders, an independent program of the NCRG. For more information, visitwww.gamblingdisorders.org.