The Bally’s Corporation has made a significant contribution worth $600,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). The organization, which is currently headquartered in Massachusetts, specializes in the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm at a time when both interactive gambling (the one that takes place on datacasting, broadcasting and online channels) and sports betting are becoming increasingly popular among US people.
The $600,000 donation has been welcomed by the ICRG, which noted that the money will be channeled towards additional research on the factors that encourage young gamblers and the methods that would help it tackle gambling disorders by studying problem gambling’s early symptoms and formative stages.
Robeson Reeves, the President of Interactive at Bally’s, explained that the donation was made as part of the gambling company’s mission and responsibility to prevent gambling-related harm and problem gambling among US players and the general public.
Apart from sharing that the operator took its responsibility to educate the wider public about the potential negative effects of gambling, Mr. Reeves further praised the efforts of the International Center for Responsible Gaming which has been focused on the development of qualitative, evidence-based research to help prevent the increasing problem gambling rates among young adults. The organization has already been involved in the development of various tools to help tackle gambling addiction by tailoring the aforementioned especially tools to the needs of gambling addicts.
Non-for-Profit Organization Trying to Tackle Negative Effects of Gambling Addiction
The ICRG is aimed at helping members of the public and their families who have suffered from the negative impact of gambling and gambling-related harm or have experienced problem gambling themselves. The organization does so by running scientific research and evaluating the results so that diagnostic, prevention, intervention and treatment are improved in order for a safer gambling industry to become available to everyone in the country.
Apart from all this, the non-for-profit organization seeks to recruit experts who are willing to work on research topics relevant to the activity of the Center and can prove that their work can be eligible for funding. According to data from the established track record of the International Center for Responsible Gaming, it has been one of the most prominent research-driven entities aimed at tackling gambling addiction and gambling-related harm in the US.
Bally’s Corporation is not the only gambling operator that currently supports the organization. So far, other gambling companies have sent an unmistakable message regarding their commitment to helping tackle gambling addiction and improving the understanding of the issue across the industry. A $300,000 contribution was made by Las Vegas Sands for the development of tutorials and guidelines for parents who suspect their children are showing signs of gambling addiction. A further $250,000 contribution was made by MGM Resorts to support research and education on gambling disorders and responsible gambling, while Caesars Entertainment donated $200,000 to the organization through its Foundation in May.
The International Center for Responsible Gaming is still supporting problem gambling research, education, prevention and treatment, with local gambling companies demonstrating an increasing commitment to the cause. According to experts, the initiative will need much more funds, especially considering the expansion of gambling legalization in the US.
