WASHINGTON, D.C. — Grand Casinos, Inc. will donate a total of $5,000 to sponsor the AGA’s “Best Ideas Contest,” a major element of the casino gaming industry’s Responsible Gaming Education Week, designated for the week of August 3 – 7, 1998.

In an effort to emphasize the casino gaming-entertainment industry’s commitment to responsible gaming, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has designated Responsible Gaming Education Week to actively promote responsible gaming practices within their companies. Casino companies and casino equipment manufacturers will be expected to participate in the efforts to promote responsible gaming.

As part of this effort, the AGA will hold a “Best Ideas Contest” for all AGA-member gaming employees to develop creative ways to promote responsible gaming. Grand Casinos, Inc. has offered to sponsor the contest by donating a total of $5,000 for the winning entries. The contest will be divided into five categories, including: 1) essay; 2) slogan; 3) education program; 4) fundraising activity; and 5) best original idea. For each category, the employee who submits the best idea will win $1,000. Additionally, the winners will have their entries displayed at the World Gaming Congress, featured in the AGA’s newsletter and website, and included in a booklet on responsible gaming practices.

“We are pleased to support the effort of educating casino employees about the serious issue of disordered gambling behavior,” said Tom Brosig, president and CEO of Grand Casinos, Inc. “Some of our company’s very best ideas to promote responsible gaming have come from the front line — from the people who interact with casino guests every day.

“As companies put together their plans for Responsible Gaming Education Week and as employees participate in the “Best Ideas Contest,” many creative ideas will be developed to strengthen our industry’s proactive response towards education and awareness on problem gambling and helping those who are not able to responsibly enjoy the entertainment product we offer,” Brosig commented.

A major tool for educating employees about problem gambling will come in the form of an educational brochure on disordered gambling and the importance of responsible gaming. Through the financial support of International Game Technology (IGT), a major supplier to the industry that is very active in promoting responsible gaming, the AGA will produce and distribute 200,000 educational brochures to gaming employees across the country.

To assist companies in the implementing a successful week of activities, the AGA will send information packets to AGA-member casino and manufacturer companies, which will include suggested weekly activities, a sample article for company newsletters, paycheck stuffers, flyers, posters and a contest entry form for the “Best Ideas Contest.”

Responsible Gaming Education Week is an extension of the AGA’s long-term “Responsible Gaming National Education Campaign,” which was announced last October at the World Gaming Congress. The campaign is an effort to raise the level of awareness of the problems that exist and to educate casino employees and customers about the importance of responsible gaming.

The AGA represents the gaming-entertainment industry by addressing regulatory, legislative and educational issues. The association serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops aggressive educational and advocacy programs and provides leadership in addressing industry issues that are of public concern.