WASHINGTON, D.C. – The America Gaming Association (AGA) will release the first comprehensive compilation of responsible gaming ideas, policies, procedures and programs at an industry meeting today in Las Vegas, NV.

The newly published Responsible Gaming Resource Guide will be made available for the first time at the AGA’s Responsible Gaming Workshop and will be distributed to AGA members; other gaming industry companies; regulators; elected officials; and other interested individuals and organizations. Both the resource guide and the workshop are initiatives of the AGA’s Task Force on Responsible Gaming.

“With this material, anyone interested in implementing or improving a responsible gaming program has a central source for obtaining national and local assistance in creating a state-of-the-art program,” said Dr. Carl G. Braunlich, assistant professor at Purdue University. Dr. Braunlich and Dr. Marvin A. Steinberg, executive director, Connecticut Council on Compulsive Gaming, were co-editors of the resource guide.

The resource guide is a product of a collaboration of a number of casinos committed to confronting underage and problem gambling in a socially responsible manner. It is a “tool kit” that can be used for introducing or improving responsible gaming programs throughout the casino industry.

Also included in the resource guide are essential step-by-step instructions on how to establish administration functions for responsible gaming programs, training and education programs for staff, employee assistance programs, and education and prevention programs for casino guests and the community at-large. In addition, the resource guide contains examples of printed collateral materials to support these programs.

“Perhaps the most valuable information in the guide is a complete set of contact information for organizations and groups that are involved with problem gambling throughout the United States,” added Braunlich.

The members of the Responsible Gaming Task Force who helped produce this guide are: Lyn Baxter, MGM Grand, Inc.; William Bingham, Mirage Resorts, Inc.; Thomas Brosig, Grand Casinos, Inc.; Shannon Bybee, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Al Cade, Caesars Atlantic City; Teri Dodd, Caesars Palace; Al Church, Hilton Gaming Corporation; Mark Clayton, Showboat, Inc.; Marilyn Seay, Las Vegas Tropicana; Guy Hillyer, Primadonna Corporation; James Hippler, Boyd Gaming Corporation; Len Hostetter, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.; Jim Butler, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.; Mary Jane Fuller, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.; David Lloyd, Station Casinos, Inc.; Carol O’Hare, Nevada Council on Problem Gambling; Kit Turner, Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc.; and Dr. Carl Braunlich.

The AGA, which provided funding for development, production and distribution of the resource guide, represents the gaming-entertainment industry by addressing regulatory, legislative and educational issues. To fulfill that mission, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information; develops aggressive educational and advocacy programs; and provides leadership in addressing industry issues that are of public concern such as problem and underage gambling.