BetMGM Funds Gambling Harm Research
The world-renowned casino and sportsbook operator BetMGM has revealed that it has donated $180,000 to help support the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). The grant is meant to fund studies into responsible gambling and the impact advertising has on problem gambling, as well as the center’s educational efforts to raise awareness across the US.
Renowned casino and sportsbook provider BetMGM has announced that it is donating $180,000 to help support the research and educational efforts of the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). ©lechenie-narkomanii/Pixabay
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) Has Already Issued Call for Research Proposals
The highly popular and established casino and sportsbook provider BetMGM has revealed that it is pledging $180,000 to help support the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) and its ongoing research efforts and educational programs.
The purposes of the grant stipulate that it is to be used to finance studies into responsible gambling and the impact advertising has on problem gambling, as well as the center’s educational initiatives which intend to raise awareness of the issue of harmful and problem across the United States.
For those not fully aware, the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) was formed in 1996 and has collaborated closely together with a wide range of research projects and peer-reviewed scientific journals on the topic of responsible gambling. The organization has already put out a call for research proposals on new studies that will be partly funded by BetMGM’s recent grant.
Supporting Research of Gambling Harms is One of BetMGM’s Key Goals
Marking the occasion of BetMGM making public its recent $180,000 donation to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), the retail and sportsbook gambling operator’s senior manager of responsible gaming, Richard Taylor, drove home the importance of research into responsible gaming to the company’s core goals and values:
“Investment into research around responsible gaming is key to our continued education and commitment to providing best-in-class experiences and programs, as well as to ensuring a sustainable industry. This ground-breaking research will not only provide valuable learnings to BetMGM but will also serve as a guide for the industry and key stakeholders.”– Richard Taylor, Senior Manager of Responsible Gaming, BetMGM, Press Release
For its part, International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) president Arthur Paikowsky reinforced how the results of the its researching into gambling harms enable it to offer the industry better policy advice, while also commending BetMGM for its commitment to the cause:
“Findings from this evidence-based research study will allow us to better identify potential risks and guide best-practices for the gaming industry. We commend BetMGM for partnering with us to better inform the public, operators, regulators, legislators, and the media.”– Arthur Paikowsky, President, International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), Press Release
Bally’s Donated $600,000 to ICRG Back in August 2022
While BetMGM’s nearly $200,000 donation to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) might seem generous, it runs the risk of being overshadowed by fellow competitor Bally’s’ impressive $600,000 pledge to the center back in August 2022.
As is somewhat to be expected here, Bally’s donation is intended to support the organization’s continued research, however this time specifically surrounding the issue of gambling among young adults, along with the effectiveness of certain responsible gambling tools.
Shortly after the news broke, the ICRG again issued a call to scientists worldwide inviting them to apply for funding in order to assist with the center’s research projects into gambling, in order to provide some prescriptions as to what can be done to better protect vulnerable players.
ICRG president Arthur Paikowsky likewise praised Bally’s generous grant, claiming it is proof of the operator’s dedication to better comprehending the dangers of gambling among youths:
“With this grant, Bally’s has taken a giant stride toward understanding the health risks of young adult gamblers and improving the effectiveness of existing responsible gambling tools. The ICRG salutes Bally’s for making such a huge impact on the field of gambling studies.”
BetMGM and Cincinnati Reds Baseball Team Paired Up in October 2022
As for more recent BetMGM news, the prominent operator announced just recently in October 2022 that it was set to become the official sports betting sponsor of the Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
The news benefitted from good timing, given that the state of Ohio’s long-awaited legal sports betting market is finally, after many trials and tribulations, expected to fully launch soon on January 1st, 2023.
The deal between both parties will take shape as a multi-year deal. In what is sure to be exciting news for local Cincinnati sports betting and baseball fans, the collaboration between the two will see the opening of a BetMGM sportsbook at Great American Ball Park – the home stadium of the Cincinnati Reds.
Doug Healy, chief financial officer for the Cincinnati Reds, revealed that the team was looking for the highest quality sports betting operator – evidently being pleased with BetMGM’s recent track record:
“With sports gaming coming to Ohio, the Reds sought to bring the highest quality operator to our ballpark for those fans who choose to participate in sports gaming. BetMGM is renowned for their expertise in entertainment and sports gaming, and we believe their brand best fits our high customer standards and will also help draw visitors to our city.”
