Industry Best Practices: IGT Appoints New Director of Responsible Gaming

When International Game Technology (IGT) hired Connie Jones as its first director of responsible gaming, it marked an important milestone – establishing the company as the only gaming equipment manufacturer in the world with a full-time employee dedicated solely to supporting its responsible gaming program.
  
A 10-year veteran of the gaming industry, Jones has been working on responsible gaming issues since 1999 and has held the position at IGT since June. She currently oversees IGT's program promoting responsible gaming through employee education and awareness, customer support, partnerships with and financial support of responsible gaming organizations, promotion of the issue to policy-makers, as well as through active participation. IGT has had a formal responsible gaming program in place since 1997.
 
"As a game technology provider, IGT does not typically interface directly with consumers," Jones said. "I feel – and this company feels – that as the gaming industry becomes more global, there is a growing need for stakeholders to take a pro-active approach to this issue."

An important element of the program is coalition building. Currently, Jones serves on the board of directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling and the advisory board of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. IGT President and CEO Thomas Baker serves on the board of directors of the National Center for Responsible Gaming as well.
 
"Few others are involved directly on both sides, having one foot in the industry and the other one in responsible gaming," Jones said.
 
Formerly a mining industry lobbyist in Montana, Jones initially had reservations about becoming involved in the somewhat uncharted territory of a corporate responsible gaming program. The past three years, however, have provided her the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals from gaming industry executives and government officials to researchers and nonprofit managers – an experience she describes as "outstanding."
 
To learn more about IGT's responsible gaming program, visit the company's Web site.