MGM Funds Research To Help Prevent, Address Risks Of Gambling In NJ

Written By Dan Holmes on January 10, 2024 - Last Updated on January 11, 2024
sign for mgm grand for a story on mgm resorts donating to problem gambling research

The worries over gambling addiction have grown in recent years as more states have increasingly legalized sports betting and online casino gaming.

Specifically, New Jersey boasts one of the most successful gaming industries in the United States, with legal sports betting, casino gaming, a state lottery and casinos in Atlantic City. Lifetime NJ revenue has exceeded $51 billion in revenue from online casinos and sports betting. Land-based casinos, meanwhile, have accounted for more than $19 million from slots and table game play since 2016.

But concerns over problem gambling remain. And MGM Resorts International has recently made an effort to help.

Last month, MGM announced that it donated $360,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming for the purposes of funding two research projects to “prevent and address potential risks associated with gambling.”

Research ‘critical’ to continued success of NJ gambling

MGM Resorts International owns and operates Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. The industry’s top revenue-generator, Borgata Atlantic City is one of more than two dozen gaming properties owned by the company in the US and elsewhere.

MGM Resorts is based in Las Vegas, where the company operates the famous Bellagio on the Las Vegas strip.

“These research projects are critical to the continued success of the industry and are in the best interest of our guests, company, employees, and the communities where we operate,” Stephen Martino, senior vice president and chief compliance officer for MGM Resorts, said in a press release.

“We’re pleased to continue our financial support of the ICRG and its critical work around responsible gaming best practices.”

About the International Center for Responsible Gaming

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) is a research and education organization that functions primarily “to prevent the onset of gambling problems through high quality scientific research,” according to its website. It was founded in 1996.

The donation from MGM Resorts will go toward programs “to educate treatment providers, researchers, advocates, operators, regulators and public policy makers about responsible gaming and problem gambling.”

Past efforts by the ICRG have included the development of a website (Collegegambling.org) aimed at college-age individuals who may be placed at risk for gambling addiction. The organization offers a RG training program for gambling industry professionals. The ICRG also hosts an annual conference on gambling and addiction.

“We salute MGM Resorts for supporting our research that will answer the many questions we have about the impact of gender on gambling disorder and address the health risks of casino employees,” ICRG Presdient Arthur Paikowsky said in a statement.

“The ICRG is very grateful for the company’s long-standing and continuing support of the ICRG.”

MGM to train 60,000 employees on gambling benefits, risks

The monetary commitment to the ICRG is part of an overall plan by MGM Resorts to train its 60,000-plus employees on “the benefits and risks associated with gambling.”

MGM has been a leader in the industry on NJ responsible gambling, with its program GameSense being a standard in responsible gambling education.

GameSense is active in more than 25 states and available on several gaming platforms and websites, including its own BetMGM Sportsbook.

Photo by John Locher / AP Photo
Dan Holmes Avatar
Written by
Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes is a contributing writer for PlayNJ. He has written three boooks about sports and previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame as well as Major League Baseball. An avid writer, runner and enjoyer of lemon bars, Dan lives near Lake Michigan with his daughters and, oftentimes, a nearby orange cream soda.

View all posts by Dan Holmes
Privacy Policy