Helping to Fill the Research Void

A recently launched private, non-profit organization has set out to fund research projects that deal with issues pertaining specifically to online gambling.

The Amsterdam-based Global Remote and E-Gambling Research Institute (GREGRI) seeks to assist new remote gambling-related research projects with grant money donated by sponsors.

GREGRI hopes to provide grant money for research that will explore some of the historical, economical, mathematical, legal and social aspects of online gambling or investigate the development, execution and evaluation of remote gambling around the world. It also seeks to explore the ethics of managing and marketing gambling opportunities.

The organization's scientific committee, which will evaluate potential candidates for the grant money, is composed of individuals chosen for their cultural interdisciplinary diversity and recognized internationally for their academic competencies and experience in the field of gambling. Members include Alex Blaszczynski of the University of Sydney in Australia, Jeffrey Derevensky of McGill University in Canada, Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, Angels Gonzalez-Ibanez of the Hospital of Mataro in Spain, Gerhard Meyer of the University of Bremen in Germany and Ken Winters of the University of Minnesota in the United States.

The intent of GREGRI's research grants is to provide new researchers or new research ideas with funding, but the grants can also be used to support or "top up" other research funding. A standard grant consists of a minimum funding of 25,000 euros, and the deadline for standard grant applications is July 1, 2006. The group also offers a young researchers grant for which funding ranges from 5,000 euros to 25,000 euros. Applications for this grant will be accepted throughout the next year.

The Institute encourages remote gaming companies and other interested parties to participate in its research endeavors via sponsorship opportunities, and Swedish I-gaming software provider and poker network operator Ongame has already signed on as Golden Sponsor.

GREGRI is chaired by Sue Schneider of River City Group in the United States, and Peter Remmers of Assissa Consultancy Europe in the Netherlands serves as treasurer/secretary. Rick Smith of the Interactive Gaming Council sits as GREGRI's third board member, and the organization is seeking more members.

More information about GREGRI is available at www.gregri.org.