Empire City Casino partners with Mid-Hudson Problem Gambling Resource Center

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is partnering with the Mid-Hudson Problem Gambling Resource Center to support responsible gaming practices with March being Problem Gambling Awareness Month. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month, designed to coincide each year with March Madness, the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament with 68 teams competing in seven rounds for the national championship, and during which Americans typically wager over $3 billion.

Throughout March, Empire City will raise awareness around the need for responsible gaming by lighting the entertainment destination’s iconic porte cochère in blue and yellow. Blue being the official color of Problem Gambling Awareness month and yellow in support of the “Shine a Light” initiative led by New York Council on Problem Gambling. This statewide initiative includes notable landmarks and gaming facilities across New York “Shining a Light” on problem gambling during the month of March. Empire City will also host a problem gambling screening event March 14 to help individuals ensure that they are gaming responsibly. The free screening will consist of a brief questionnaire and educational resources to raise awareness and promote prevention of problem gaming. Individuals with specialized training in the area of responsible gaming will offer best practices and highlight problem gambling awareness month initiatives. Empire City will spotlight responsible gaming practices internally among guests and employees, as well as externally on social media platforms.

Empire City’s efforts to support responsible gaming are not limited to the month of March. As part of MGM Resorts, Empire City incorporates the award-winning responsible gaming program, GameSense, which focuses on ensuring a positive, transparent and safe gaming environment for visitors. Empire City joined the GameSense initiative shortly after MGM Resorts acquired the property in 2019. GameSense messaging and responsible gaming tips are displayed prominently throughout the gaming floor and QR codes are placed on slot machines to offer immediate access to responsible gaming information and educational materials through GameSense. Additionally, all Empire City employees receive annual GameSense training and a select number of leaders are trained as GameSense Advisors, by completing additional training to provide immediate assistance to anyone who may need it.

“Empire City is committed to promoting responsible gaming both through GameSense and through our partnerships to ensure our employees and guests have the necessary tools and resources to facilitate and encourage a fun, safe gaming environment for all to enjoy,” said Ed Domingo, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts.

Problem gambling is defined as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits and interfere with daily life. For the majority of adults, gambling is a fun and entertaining experience, but for a small portion of the population, it ceases to be fun and becomes problematic. Approximately two million U.S. adults, or about one percent of the population, are estimated to meet the criteria for severe problem gambling. Approximately four percent of adult New Yorkers are estimated to have experienced problem gambling.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month brings together a wide range of stakeholders, such as public health organizations, treatment providers, advocacy groups and gambling operators to work collaboratively to let people know that there is help for those who may need it. The hashtag for this year’s campaign is #PGAM2023, which participants are encouraged to use across various social media platforms.