RESPONSIBLE GAMINGRESPONSIBLE GAMING

NAGRA 25NAGRA 25THTH Annual Conference Annual Conference

June 4, 2009June 4, 2009

Keith Whyte, Executive DirectorKeith Whyte, Executive Director

National Council on Problem GamblingNational Council on Problem Gambling

About NCPGAbout NCPGThe national advocate for programs The national advocate for programs

and services to assist problem and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.gamblers and their families.

NEUTRAL on legalized gambling.NEUTRAL on legalized gambling. Founded in 1972.Founded in 1972. National grassroots non-profit with National grassroots non-profit with

chapters in 36 of 50 states (incl. chapters in 36 of 50 states (incl. WA)WA)

Work with government, gaming Work with government, gaming industry & community.industry & community.

Core ProgramsCore Programs

Helpline Number (800.522.4700) & Helpline Number (800.522.4700) & NetworkNetwork

Nat’l Problem Gambling Awareness WeekNat’l Problem Gambling Awareness Week Annual Conference on Problem Gambling Annual Conference on Problem Gambling

Prevention, Treatment, Research & Prevention, Treatment, Research & Recovery (June 26-28, Long Beach, CA)Recovery (June 26-28, Long Beach, CA)

Public Awareness & MediaPublic Awareness & Media Certification AdministrationCertification Administration ADVOCACY!ADVOCACY!

Roles of CouncilsRoles of Councils ONLY advocates for problem gamblers & their ONLY advocates for problem gamblers & their

families.families. Independent perspective, unaffected by Independent perspective, unaffected by

money or morality.money or morality. Innovative service delivery better, faster & Innovative service delivery better, faster &

cheaper. cheaper. Hub of information-work toward best practices.Hub of information-work toward best practices. Work across the many boundaries, including:Work across the many boundaries, including:

State (MSA’s, gambling on borders)State (MSA’s, gambling on borders) TribalTribal Types of gambling (different regulatory agencies)Types of gambling (different regulatory agencies)

What Can Regulators Do?What Can Regulators Do?

What is the appropriate role in RG & PG?What is the appropriate role in RG & PG? Set standards.Set standards. Enforce regulations. Enforce regulations. Provider of last resort?Provider of last resort? Three approaches to develop best Three approaches to develop best

practices: legislation, regulation or practices: legislation, regulation or litigation.litigation.

PG Issues for RegulatorsPG Issues for Regulators PG is difficult & complex health issue.PG is difficult & complex health issue. Only ½ states provide public funding Only ½ states provide public funding

for PG services.for PG services. Regulators as providers of last resort?Regulators as providers of last resort? Most jurisdictions without strategy on Most jurisdictions without strategy on

problem gambling (or gambling). problem gambling (or gambling). But basic consensus on prevalence, But basic consensus on prevalence,

risk factors, consequences and risk factors, consequences and treatment—no excuse for inaction. treatment—no excuse for inaction.

RG Issues for RegulatorsRG Issues for Regulators Public access to data.Public access to data. Helplines (9-1-1 system).Helplines (9-1-1 system). Duty of Care undefined in most Duty of Care undefined in most

statutes.statutes. Technology radically changes gaming Technology radically changes gaming

(bingo).(bingo). Maximize benefit while minimizing Maximize benefit while minimizing

harm.harm.

Instant Ticket Instant Ticket VendingVendingMachinesMachines

Most in non-age Most in non-age restricted locationsrestricted locations

Continues to spread Continues to spread in at least 20 statesin at least 20 states

Lessons from Lessons from tobacco vending tobacco vending machines?machines?

RG Machine ModificationsRG Machine Modifications Based on Research & Player DataBased on Research & Player Data What operational modification most What operational modification most

likely to be effective—for PGs?—for likely to be effective—for PGs?—for RGs?RGs? Limiting bill acceptors? Limiting bill acceptors? No impact for eitherNo impact for either Capping max bet size? Capping max bet size? Likely helpful for PGLikely helpful for PG Slowing speed of play? Slowing speed of play? Likely harmful for PG!!!!Likely harmful for PG!!!!

National Council on National Council on Problem GamblingProblem Gambling

730 11730 11thth Street, NW, Suite Street, NW, Suite 601601

Washington, DC 20001Washington, DC 20001Tel: 202.547.9204Tel: 202.547.9204Fax: 202.547.9206Fax: 202.547.9206

Email: Email: keithw@ncpgambling.orgkeithw@ncpgambling.org

Web: Web: www.ncpgambling.orgwww.ncpgambling.org