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Gaming Responsibly: Education Week August 7-11

2 August 2006

The issue of problem gambling is one that is of concern to everyone involved with the gaming industry. As a way to draw attention to this important issue and assist individuals that need help, the commercial casino industry will be holding the ninth annual Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), held Aug. 7-11, 2006. The theme of this year's campaign, organized and sponsored by the American Gaming Association (AGA), is "Be Responsible. Get Educated." The theme expresses the industry's continuing dedication to providing employees with the education and training they need to promote and ensure responsible gaming.

The "Be Responsible. Get Educated." theme ties in with the recently launched EMERGE (Executive Management & Employee Responsible Gaming Education) program. EMERGE is a one-of-a-kind, Web-based training program developed by the Institute for Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders that provides a complete educational experience based on the latest scientific research on gambling addictions.

As in years prior, the AGA has provided casino industry employees with a variety of collateral materials including buttons, stickers and posters in an effort to raise public awareness. New for 2006, is a responsible gaming workbook created for employees that contains some of the AGA's popular educational tools, as well as sample questions from the EMERGE program. The AGA has also brought back the "Keep it Fun" wristbands which were successfully introduced as part of last year's theme: "We're Banding Together to Keep it Fun." Like last year, proceeds from the wristbands will continue to support the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG).

RGEW was developed by the AGA in 1998 and is held annually during the first week of August. The event was designed to create awareness of responsible gaming and disordered gambling among employees, customers and the general public. RGEW is part of the AGA's Responsible Gaming National Education Campaign, created in 1999 as an industrywide program focused on promoting and expanding responsible gaming education.

Over the years, the AGA has been at the forefront of the serious and important issue of responsible gaming. In September of 2004, the AGA developed the Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming which details specific guidelines presiding over underage gambling, alcohol service, advertising, research and education.

Also bringing attention and awareness to the issue, is the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG), created in 1996 as the only national organization devoted exclusively to education and funding of problem gambling research. With contributions from the casino industry totaling more than $15 million, the NCRG has been able to acquire exceptional talent from across the country to aid in their research.

To find out more about Responsible Gaming Education Week, visit the American Gaming Association's Web site at www.americangaming.org, and for more information on the National Center for Responsible Gaming, visit www.ncrg.org. In addition, individuals in Michigan that want to learn more about the topic of responsible gaming, or need help with a problem involving gaming are encouraged to visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_3185---,00.html.

David Waddell
David Waddell is an attorney for Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. (RMC), which assists businesses in navigating the legislative, regulatory and licensing systems governing Michigan’s commercial and tribal casino industries. He is the co-author of The State of Michigan Gaming Law Legal Resource Book and one of the founders of The Michigan Gaming Newsletter.

David Waddell Websites:

www.michigangaming.com
David Waddell
David Waddell is an attorney for Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. (RMC), which assists businesses in navigating the legislative, regulatory and licensing systems governing Michigan’s commercial and tribal casino industries. He is the co-author of The State of Michigan Gaming Law Legal Resource Book and one of the founders of The Michigan Gaming Newsletter.

David Waddell Websites:

www.michigangaming.com