23rd Annual ICRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction

Oct. 9-10, 2022

The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas

 

Presented by the International Center for Responsible Gaming in conjunction with Global Gaming Expo

 

SUNDAY, OCT. 9, 2022

 

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.          Registration

 

10 a.m. - NOON

Pre-Con Workshop for Treatment Providers (2 CE Hours)

Finding Your Best Self: A New Trauma/Addiction Model for Self-help, Family, Peers and Professionals

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, Treatment Innovations and University of Massachusetts Medical School

In this workshop, Dr. Najavits, the developer of Seeking Safety, will describe her newest model, Finding Your Best Self. It is designed for trauma and/or addiction (including problem gambling) and can be used as self-help; or delivered by family or friends, 12-step sponsors, peers or professionals. It can be done in group or individual format and offers extensive exercises and insights from people in recovery. Examples of topics are: How do people change? The language of trauma and addiction; Social pain; Why trauma and addiction go together; Forgiving yourself; The culture of silence; and How to survive a relapse.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Describe current understanding of trauma, addiction, and their combination 

• Identify how to use the book topics in counselor-led format

• Describe how to engage clients in book topics based on their clinical needs

• Address the importance of adaptation with respect to the culture

• List key principles of the model 

• Identify how topics relate to phase-based treatment for trauma and/or addiction

• Provide resources for trauma and addiction

1 p.m. Welcome

Alan Feldman, ICRG and University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Arthur Paikowsky, ICRG

1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

Addressing Health Disparities and Building Equity: Revolutionizing a Path Forward

Victor Ortiz, National Speaker, Massachusetts

Problem gambling is governed by a complex set of interrelating factors, causes and determinants ranging from biology and family history to social norms and existing statutes. Research indicates that gambling is interrelated with various health issues and disproportionately impacts individuals with mental health disorders, substance misuse disorders and communities of color. Historically, community-level experiences of gambling and communities of color are often not the focus of problem gambling/responsible gambling services and efforts. Preliminary research indicates that ethnic and racial minorities have higher rates of gambling problems than the adult general population. This presentation will define and explore health disparities and its relationship to problem gambling/responsible gambling. Additionally, it will explore key factors that contribute and maintain health disparities in problem gambling research and practice. Lastly, it will define and explore health equity strategies in order to mitigate harms associated with gambling. Participants will gain insight into the foundational elements of health disparities and strategies to promote equity within prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery supports. It will provide resources in planning and practice when working with priority population.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify key factors that contribute to health disparities and its relationship to problem gambling/responsible gambling

• Identify strategies in building and promoting health equity

• Identify resources

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

Gambling Helplines at a Crossroads

Cait DeBaun, American Gaming Association

Jaime Costello, National Council on Problem Gambling

Victor Ortiz, National Speaker, Massachusetts

Problem gambling helplines are vital for providing support and counseling to individuals and families affected by gambling disorder. Today, multiple helplines operate across the country providing referrals for individuals seeking help for a gambling problem. However, a national or multi-state advertisement may have to display more than a dozen different helplines and disclaimer language resulting in tougher to read fonts and diluted messaging. Multiple helpline numbers can cause consumer confusion as to the appropriate number to call. Another issue focuses on whether gambling helplines should be integrated with other addiction helplines in view of the high rate of co-occurring disorders among people with gambling disorder. The  panel will review the issues facing the helplines and consider solutions to these problems.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Critically analyze the current dilemma of gambling helplines

• Propose solutions to the current dilemma

• Explain the research on comorbidity that undergirds the idea of integrating gambling into helplines for other addictive disorders

3:30 p.m. Refreshment Break

4 - 5:15 p.m. Plenary Session (1.25 CE Hours)

Building Cultures of Recovery in Tribal Nations

Debi LaPlante, PhD, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, and Harvard Medical School

Cassie Anderson, Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations and Chippewa-Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy Indians

The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations and the Division on Addiction have worked together for more than a decade as the Center for Indigenous Research Learning Collaboration & Excellence (CIRCLE). This session will cover CIRCLE’s tribal participatory research with seven tribal nations in the northwest. For eight years, CIRCLE has used qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify (1) risk and protective factors for addiction among tribal youth and (2) community strengths and needs for supporting the tribes’ youth in recovery from addiction. This work has led CIRCLE and its tribal partners to develop a new, culturally grounded, mental health first-response training program, xaʔtu̓s (Salish for First Face) for Mental Health. This session will include a discussion of CIRCLE research and First Face for Mental Health. It also will discuss future development activities for First Face for Mental Health, including research and capacity building.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Describe risk and protective factors for addictive behavior among tribal youth

• Discuss tribal communities’ strengths and needs for providing support to tribal youth in recovery from addiction

• Explain the core concepts and strategies included in First Face for Mental Health

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

Sports Wagering: What are the health risks?

Joshua Grubbs, PhD, Bowling Green State University

Christine Thurmond, DraftKings Inc.

Every new technology is met with fears about addiction and online sports wagering is no exception. This session will address the health risks of sports wagering—what we know and what we don’t know. Dr. Grubbs will report on new data from the ICRG-funded study on sports wagering in the US. Christine Thurmond will discuss how one online operator is meeting the challenge of implementing responsible gambling strategies for this new form of gambling.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

 

• Characterize the current scientific literature on sports wagering

• Comprehend new data about sports wagering in the US

• Critically appraise current responsible gambling programs of online gaming operators

6:30 - 8 p.m. Reception and Poster Session

MONDAY, OCT. 10, 2022

7 - 8 a.m.  Open AA/GA Meeting

7 - 8 a.m. Networking Breakfast for All Attendees

8 - 9:15 a.m. Plenary Session (1.25 CE Hours)

Brain Connections: Start Talking with Clients about Gambling and the Brain

Iris Balodis, PhD., McMaster University

Deirdre Querney, MSW, 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. 

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Learn about the Brain Connections tools and how these apply in various settings (clinical, RG, gambling establishments)

• Accurately answer commonly asked questions about gambling and the brain 

• Increase your confidence and competence in the area of gambling neurobiology 

9:30 - 10: 30 a.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

Ask Me Anything!  The Lived Experiences of a Gaming Regulator, a Responsible Gambling Professional, a Treatment Provider and a Gambling Researcher

Paul Pellizzari, Hard Rock International

Nathan Smith, PhD, Kindbridge Research Institute

Elizabeth Thielen, LPC, PCGC, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services

Peter Cohen, The Agenda Group

Curious about what gaming regulators do? Have you wondered about the role of responsible gambling (RG) professionals? Mystified by the work of researchers? Wondering how treatment providers do their jobs? This is your opportunity to ask a panel of professionals in RG, treatment, research, and regulation any question you like!

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Comprehend the roles that regulators, treatment providers, researchers and responsible gambling specialists play in their respective spheres to promote healthy gambling and prevent and treat gambling disorder

10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

Where Does the Money Go? An analysis of gaming taxes in the states and the impact on treatment and responsible gambling

David Forman, American Gaming Association

Nancy Murray, CAGS, LCDP, ICOGS, Rhode Island Lottery and National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services

Alan Feldman, UNLV International Gaming Institute

Kathy Scanlan, former director of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators 

Each year, the states receive funding from the gaming industry for services such as advancing responsible gambling efforts and treatment of gambling disorder. While many states are spending these funds for their intended purpose, others are not. On the other hand, some states have struggled to expend money for treatment because of the low rate of treatment-seeking among people with gambling disorder. What can be done to address these public health issues?

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Critically analyze the current situation with state funding from a public health perspective

• Explain the research finding that most people with gambling disorder do not seek treatment

• Propose solutions to current problem

Noon – 1 p.m. Plenary Session (1 CE Hour)

The Power of Language in Addiction Treatment and Responsible Gambling

Rory Pfund, PhD, Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions, University of New Mexico

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.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify preferred terms for processes of gambling treatment 

• Discuss implications of these terms in clinical practice

• Understand the challenges gambling operators face in terms of attracting interest in responsible gambling tools

• Identify positive (versus negative) responsible gambling messages and understand their influence on players

• Demonstrate how positive messaging can improve responsible gambling programming

1 - 2 p.m. Awards Luncheon

Concurrent Special Interest Tracks

Note: All attendees are welcome to participate in either track.

2 - 3 p.m. Track for Clinicians, Researchers and Public Health Professionals (1 CE Hour)

Overcoming Barriers to Treatment for Gambling Disorder

Nathan Smith, PhD, Kindbridge Research Institute

James Whelan, PhD, University of Memphis

Fewer than 15 percent of people with a gambling disorder seek help. Clinicians and researchers have conjectured that it could be stigma, lack of insurance, lack of resources, ambivalence or lack of awareness that gambling addiction is treatable. Throw in Covid and an increasing shortage of mental health clinicians and you have the ingredients for a mental health care crisis. The panel, which has extensive experience in telehealth, will examine solutions to this problem.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify characteristics of what treatments work

• Identify the key barriers to effective treatment

• Analyze possible solutions to combat these treatment barriers 

2-  3 p.m. Track for Industry Professionals and Regulators (1 CE Hour)

Big Wins and their Relationship with Excessive Gambling

Matthew Tom, PhD,  Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance,  and Harvard Medical School

Big wins might have a psychological impact upon gamblers that increases their likelihood of excessive gambling. However, there has been very little empirical research examining this effect using actual gambling data. Dr. Tom will examine both the research and responsible gambling (RG) aspects of this issue by exploring the following questions:  (1) What SHOULD a big win mean to an RG-conscious gambler (psychologically, mathematically)? (2) How can we use gambling and playing data to study the big win effect? (3) Where does research into big wins go from here?

 

Learning Objectives

As a result of this sessions, attendees will be able to:

• Articulate different definitions of "big win" and recognize which definition a gambler or someone else might be utilizing,

• Recognize common fallacies and mistaken conclusions someone might have as a result of a big win, and

• Discuss some findings from recent studies into the big win effect.

3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Track for Clinicians, Researchers and Public Health Professionals (1 CE Hour)

Gambling Problems among US Military Veterans

Shane Kraus, PhD, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

US military veterans appear to have a higher rate of gambling problems than the civilian population. However, research on this population is scarce. Dr. Kraus will discuss his analysis of data from a large, nationally representative sample of US veterans. It represents one of the first longitudinal studies of gambling in this group.

 

 

3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Track for Industry Professionals and Regulators (1 CE Hour)

Responsible Gambling: Why the low uptake and what can be done about it?

Jade Luchauer, International Game Technology (IGT)

Michael Wohl, PhD, Carleton University

Rebecca Beardsley, Santa Ana Star Casino and Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico

Responsible gambling (RG) specialists—in online and land-based gambling venues alike—have observed that most customers do not take advantage of RG tools. What is behind this reluctance? The panel will describe their experience with low usage of RG tools and discuss possible remedies.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this sessions, attendees will be able to:

• Delineate the current situation with low usage of RG tools

• Identify research findings on this topic

• Propose solutions to this problem

4:15 p.m. Refreshment Break

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Track for Clinicians, Researchers and Public Health Professionals (1 CE Hour)

Links between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Gambling Problems

Joshua Grubbs, PhD, Bowling Green State University

Gambling disorder (GD) often co-occurs with other disorders, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, researchers and clinicians do not fully understand the relationship between GD and PTSD. Dr. Grubbs will discuss his research in this area and implications for treatment.

Track for Industry Professionals and Regulators (1 CE Hour)

Self-exclusion:  Reducing Harm, Facilitating Self-reflection, and Promoting Change

David Hodgins, PhD, University of Calgary

Dr. Hodgins will review the evidence base on the impact of voluntary self-exclusion for reducing gambling-related harm, including his own research that compared an online self-management program with an in-person educational workshop. He will offer the implications of this research for the design and operation of self-exclusion programs.

 

Presentation Slides Here