WASHINGTON – This year’s JCM/AGA Golf Classic, an annual gaming industry fundraising event, raised $75,000 for the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) to help fund future gambling research and responsible gaming programs. Since its debut eight years ago, the event has raised more than $500,000 for the NCRG.

The tournament, held last month at Anthem Country Club in Henderson, Nev., was sponsored by JCM American and the American Gaming Association (AGA).

“The popularity of this event has grown every year, and the fact that we’ve raised half-a-million dollars is a testament to the importance of responsible gaming to our industry,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “We are proud to have sustained a long-standing partnership with JCM to host this event. Their exceptional commitment remains invaluable to the success of the NCRG and its mission.”

More than 140 golfers, including operators, manufacturers, suppliers and members of the media, participated in the tournament. The winning foursome represented Shuffle Master, Inc., and included Brooke Dunn, Chris Costello, Scott Hager and Mark Kelley.

“The tournament presents a wonderful opportunity for our company to help deal with the issue of problem gambling and to emphasize the importance of organizations such as the NCRG,” said Aki Isoi, president of JCM American.  “We are proud of our contribution and look forward to even greater success with the tournament in coming years.”

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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.  For more information, visit www.americangaming.org [2]. 

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 [3].