National Conference on Problem Gambling Visits Baltimore

News provided by

National Council on Problem Gambling

Aug 05, 2015, 07:00 ET


Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 05, 2015 -- Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was the setting for the National Council on Problem Gambling’s 29th National Conference on Problem Gambling, July 8 to 11, 2015 that was hosted by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling and the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling. This year’s conference attracted a record-breaking attendance of over 600 people, including counselors, gaming industry executives and staff, regulators, state administrators, researchers and people in recovery.

The unprecedented 45 sponsors, twenty of which came from organizations resident in or represented in the Mid-Atlantic region, contributed almost $300,000 in direct support.

Dr. Lori Rugle of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling noted “Problem gambling is an addiction and the public health model demands a coordinated and cooperative effort among all parties to find solutions. It is imperative that we work together to ensure that we are able to prevent and treat gambling addiction to minimize the negative impacts on problem gamblers, their family members and the community at large.”

“I’m grateful to the Maryland Lottery, casinos and tracks who stepped up to the plate to support the conference” stated Michael Hundt, executive director of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling. “We all have to work together to prevent and treat gambling problems and I’m proud of Maryland gaming for taking the lead.”

The major sponsors for the National Conference on Problem Gambling included:

  • Star-Spangled Banner Sponsors - IGT (based in Rhode Island), San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (California), Four Winds Casino Resort (Michigan); Las Vegas Sands Corporation and MGM Resorts International (both with headquarters in Las Vegas).
  • Eagle Sponsors – AGEM (headquarters in Las Vegas), Mohegan Sun (based in Connecticut), and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino (New Mexico).
  • Statue of Liberty Sponsors – Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, The Rational Group (Isle of Man), Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico and SAMHSA.
  • Major support was also contributed by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (University of Maryland School of Medicine) and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Behavioral Health Administration, which provided scholarships for over 80 attendees to receive training.

NCPG executive director Keith Whyte said “A big part of our mission is to bring together everyone involved in gambling field. Our large and broad group of sponsors—from gaming operators to healthcare providers to regulatory agencies—reflects this focus. The conference is a great forum to foster discussion and ultimately move everyone forward towards the common goal of reducing the costs of gambling addiction.”

Keith Whyte, National Council on Problem Gambling, http://www.ncpgambling.org, +1 2025479204 Ext: 23, [email protected]