NCRG in Miami for 2012 Annual Education Summit

MIAMI, Fla. (PRESS RELEASE) -- Promoting responsible gaming practices and the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for gambling disorders are important initiatives that all community members – legislators, regulators, researchers, treatment professionals, industry representatives and informed citizens – can help support.

To address these issues, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today kicked off its 2012 Annual Education Summit in Miami, Fla., where representatives from the organization are meeting with a variety of stakeholders to share information about the latest research on gambling disorders, inform them of science-based programs and resources the NCRG has to offer and provide suggestions for building partnerships to address gambling disorders and encourage responsible gaming.

"In a state with an already active gambling population, educating the public about responsible gaming is critical," said Alan Feldman, chairman of the NCRG and senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. "The NCRG's Annual Education Summit provides an opportunity to gather those with a shared interest and explain the NCRG's work to advance research, education and awareness of gambling disorders and responsible gaming and how these issues impact Florida and the nation."

The 2012 Annual Education Summit events include:

Mental Health Community Leaders Meeting

Monday, April 30, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Univeristy of Miami, Newman Alumni Center
The NCRG and the Florida Council on Community Mental Health will co-host a roundtable discussion of how mental health experts can use research findings in their daily practice and how collaborative efforts can effectively address gambling disorders in their community. Speakers will include Mr. Feldman; Carlos Blanco, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and director of the Gambling Disorders Clinic at Columbia University Medical Center; Ken Winters, Ph.D., member of the NCRG's Scientific Advisory Board and professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse and Research at the University of Minnesota; and Christine Reilly, senior research director for the NCRG.

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Tuesday, May 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 1601 Biscayne Bay Blvd., Ray Goode Rider Conference Room
In partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the NCRG will co-host a luncheon presentation to discuss how the greater community can collaborate to address gambling disorders and responsible gaming across the state of Florida. Keynote speakers Mr. Feldman and Dr. Winters will discuss the latest advancements in the field of gambling research, resources offered by the NCRG and the importance of corporate social responsibility.

College Gambling Roundtable

Tuesday, May 1, 3:30 – 5 p.m. – University of Miami, Newman Alumni Center
Representatives from Miami-area colleges and universities will gather at the NCRG's roundtable discussion to share resources and best practices on how to address gambling and gambling-related harms on college campuses. Dr. Winters and Ms. Reilly will provide an overview of the NCRG's newest resource, CollegeGambling.org, and facilitate a discussion to find ways that the NCRG and participating colleges and universities can collaborate and strengthen education programs about college gambling.

Workshop for Treatment Providers
Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m. – noon – Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Building 3
To provide the most up-to-date research on gambling disorders and effective methods to screen clients, the NCRG and the Florida Psychological Association will co-host a free workshop for Florida clinicians, counselors and social workers. Dr. Winters will provide an overview of gambling disorders in both you and adult populations and will discuss the screening and assessment strategies tailored to each group. Dr. Blanco will also give a brief update on the prevalence of and latest trends in gambling disorders among the Hispanic community.

The NCRG's visit to Miami marks the sixth Annual Education Summit. Events have previously been held in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Mass.; Denver and Central City/Black Hawk, Colo.; Chicago, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Philadelphia, Pa.