Conference on Gambling and Addiction to be Held in Las Vegas

Subject sign-up sheets to be posted in the lobby. Portable MRI and EEG systems will be available in the South Pacific Ballroom.

Here's the real conference announcement:

Save the Date for 9th Annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction - November 16-18, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Join researchers, clinicians, regulators, policy makers and industry representatives from around the world in Las Vegas November 16 to 18 for NCRG’s conference on the latest developments in pathological gambling research and responsible gaming programming.

For more on the conference, see the Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders (associated with Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions).

New trends in science and society are raising provocative questions about gambling addiction. Will the definition of “pathological gambling” change in the next edition of the DSM? Is technology a threat or a solution to public health? How can we make treatment and responsible gaming relevant to ethnic minorities? Are new drugs transforming the treatment of gambling disorders?

Poster abstracts are due on Sept. 2, 2008.

Posters should report on empirical research that examines topics related to the theme of this year's conference, "The Changing Landscape of Treatment, Responsible Gaming and Public Policy." The following topics will be covered: diagnosis of pathological gambling and DSM issues; public health policy on gambling; screening and brief interventions; treatment outcome research; Stages of Change theory; the impact of technology on gambling addiction; pharmacological management of gambling and substance use disorders; the social, economic and cultural impact of gambling; gambling and other risky behaviors among youth; responsible gaming programs; and culturally competent resources for ethnic minorities.

Also check out the NCRG conference blog.

ABOUT NCRG: The National Center for Responsible Gaming is the only national organization exclusively devoted to funding research that helps increase understanding of pathological and youth gambling and find effective methods of treatment for the disorder. The NCRG is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity.

[NOTE: NCRG is not a member of the M.O.D. Squad.]


Joey Bishop (right) with other members of the "Rat Pack" at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. From left: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. (AP file photo, 1960).