NCRG Conference

Last month, the NCRG held the 14th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction in Las Vegas. One of the NCRG’s favorite events during the conference each year is the Poster Session and Reception, which allows researchers to showcase new findings on gambling disorders and report their empirical research.

The 2013 NCRG Poster Session and Reception featured 30 posters and lead authors who shared their work with other conference attendees and scientists on the poster review committee on Sunday, September 22. 

Each year, the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction provides an opportunity for researchers, clinicians, regulators and other stakeholders to come together, listen to research and programs from leading experts and share their experiences with gambling disorders. One of the benefits of this interaction is that the NCRG staff gets to learn directly from attendees, especially public health officials, about the speakers and topics they might find useful in their work.

One such topic that was overwhelmingly requested was the cluster of disorders previously called “mood disorders” (e.g., major depressive disorder). It turns out that the experiences of gambling treatment providers—of which many have clients with mood disorders in addition to a gambling disorder—are echoed in the published research. The National Comorbidity Study-Replication (NCS-R), one of the largest studies of mental health comorbidity in the country, found that more than 55 percent of people with a gambling disorder also had a comorbid mood disorder (Kessler, 2008).

Yesterday, the 14th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction held an informative session on using a scientific approach to evaluating responsible gambling programs that Debi LaPlante, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of academic affairs at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. LaPlante began the session by explaining that gambling disorders can cause a ripple effect—impacting the individual, his or family, acquaintances and the broader society; therefore, safeguards are often needed for some populations. One way to do this is by through regulating responsible gaming initiatives.

This weekend, the 14th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will kick off at The Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian Las Vegas. The 2013 Conference will offer attendees more than 14 sessions in total and the chance to earn up to 11 continuing education (CE) hours.

In just over a week, stakeholders in the fields of gambling disorders, addiction and responsible gaming will gather at the 14th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction at The Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian Las Vegas.

The 2013 NCRG Conference will feature national leaders in gambling disorder research and treatment, public health, academia and the gaming industry and will present on key topics that will unite the field of gambling disorders and responsible gaming.

Nominations for the NCRG Scientific Achievement Award are Due Aug. 1

Do you know of a researcher, educator or a recent publication that has advanced the field of gambling disorder research? The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) annually recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of gambling studies with the NCRG Scientific Achievement Award. This year’s award will be presented during the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction in Las Vegas, Sept. 22-24, 2013.

The deadline to submit a poster for this year’s NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction is fast approaching, and submissions have begun arriving from around the world! There are only 30 days left before the August 1 deadline. In addition to the outstanding poster award, we also will recognize high quality posters with honorable mention awards as directed by the scientists on the poster review committee.

If you have new empirical research on gambling disorders that you want to share with colleagues we encourage you to submit a poster abstract for the session on Sept. 22, 2013.

Do you know a pioneer in the field of research on gambling disorders? Each year, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of research on gambling disorders with the NCRG Scientific Achievement Award.  This year’s award will be presented during the NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction in Las Vegas, taking place Sept. 22-24, 2013

Do you have new empirical research on gambling disorders that you would to share with colleagues and others interested in gambling research? If so, we encourage you to submit a poster abstract for the session on Sept. 22, 2013, at the 14^th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.

By now, you’ve probably marked your calendar for the 14^th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction from September 22-24 in Las Vegas. We hope you’ll put one more date on your calendar: June 15 – the deadline to apply for scholarships for the NCRG Conference!