WASHINGTON More than $290, 000 was donated to the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) this fall as a result of three American Gaming Association (AGA)-led fundraising programs. Providing the largest donation of the three was the 18th annual Gaming Hall of Fame Charity Dinner and Induction Ceremony, which this year raised nearly $125, 000 in support of the NCRG’s research and education initiatives.

This year’s Hall of Fame Dinner, held Nov. 15 at the Wynn Las Vegas, attracted nearly 400 guests to celebrate the 2006 honorees as they were inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. More than 50 companies and a number of individuals hailing from various sectors of the gaming entertainment industry provided significant contributions to this year’s dinner, which once again coincided with Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the gaming industry’s largest international trade show and conference event.

Each revolutionaries in their particular sectors of the gaming entertainment industry, this year’s inductees were Steve Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts; Franco Dragone, founder and artistic director of DRAGONE Group and former creative collaborator with Cirque du Soleil; and Alessandro “Alex” Stratta, executive chef of Alex at Wynn Las Vegas.

“The Hall of Fame Dinner continues to be a significant program for our industry, honoring our outstanding inductees as well as the exceptional work the NCRG does to raise awareness about responsible gaming, ” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “The funds raised through this year’s dinner in support of the NCRG’s research and education initiatives once again demonstrate how very important the organization’s work continues to be more than a decade after its inception. “

This year’s event also included a special check presentation by Courtney Muller, show manager and group vice president of G2E at Reed Exhibitions, the AGA’s partner in G2E. In accordance with the annual giving campaign G2E launched at last year’s Hall of Fame Dinner, Muller presented the NCRG with a check for more than $105, 000. The donation is comprised of contributions from G2E 2006 exhibitors and attendees.

“We are proud to have joined with the AGA over the years in supporting the NCRG and its efforts to help us better understand and raise awareness about disordered gambling, ” Muller said as she presented the check to members of the NCRG board of directors. “I am honored to represent the entire G2E family here tonight as we offer our contribution to this worthy cause. “

The continued sale of the AGA’s “Keep it Fun” responsible gaming awareness wristbands also has provided significant support for the NCRG. More than 150, 000 wristbands were sold in 2006, equating to a net donation to the NCRG of more than $60, 000. Since it was launched in August 2005 during Responsible Gaming Education Week, the wristband program has raised more than $115, 000 for the NCRG.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the national trade association for the commercial casino industry. In addition to representing the interests of its members on federal legislative and regulatory issues, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. Founded in 1996 as a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization, the NCRG’s mission is to support peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological gambling and provide scientifically-based responsible gaming education and outreach programs to casino communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.ncrg.org [2]. NCRG funds provide money to researchers from around the globe to increase understanding of pathological gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The funds are distributed through the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, a program of the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information, visit www.divisiononaddictions.org/institute [3].