For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2021
Contacts:
Phil Sherwood, Director of Communications and Marketing, MACGH
Ph: 603.229.9891, Email: psherwood@macgh.org
Sherry Amos, Vice President of Marketing, Spectrum Gaming Hospitality Group
PH: 609-703-1947, Email: samos@spectrumgaming.com
Spectrum Gaming Group, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
Launch Responsible-Gaming Partnership
Spectrum Gaming Group and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MAGCH) have established a comprehensive Responsible-Gaming Assessment program to examine responsible gaming programs throughout the United States. The program will measure, judge, and rank each operation against 20 defined responsible-gaming attributes.
The partnership’s highly experienced team will assign a ranking to each reviewed program, and an assessment will accompany that ranking as to what steps can be taken to improve the score and, thus, gain a higher ranking. Initially, this will be limited to operators in the United States and will differ from other services offered by various groups.
The Spectrum-MACGH partnership will further develop a suite of services for gaming operators, suppliers, public agencies, and other stakeholders to advance best practices in all aspects of responsible gaming, including training and assistance in crafting a statewide program.
“The gaming landscape is changing in areas ranging from technology to demographics, which translates into an increased focus on responsible gaming, and we are proud to work with the most committed professionals in this field,” Spectrum Managing Director Michael Pollock said. Pollock serves on an advisory committee to expand the gambling treatment diversion-court concept and has worked with suppliers and governments to develop effective responsible-gambling programs.
Pollock also conducted award-winning studies in the 1980s on problem gambling in Atlantic City and is known internationally as a leading expert in the economics, regulation, and policy of legalized gambling.
“Our efforts are designed to encourage players to maintain their gambling at a healthy level and minimize harm to consumers and the community,” said MACGH Executive Director Marlene Warner.
Warner has more than 20 years of experience with the MACGH and has been the Executive Director since 2011. She led the development and implementation of Responsible Gaming programs for Wynn, Penn National, and MGM in Massachusetts. Most recently, she has worked with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to launch voluntary self-exclusion programs across the state.
MACGH currently runs the GameSense program in Massachusetts. GameSense is recognized as one of the most successful responsible gaming programs in the nation.
Leading the effort with Warner is Chelsea Turner, Director of Responsible Gaming for MACGH. Turner directly oversees the GameSense program, a harm reduction program inside the MA casino properties. Before joining the MACGH, Turner worked at the CT Lottery in various roles, including Vice President, where she oversaw and managed the CLC’s Corporate Responsibility Programs, Government Affairs, and the Purchasing, Claims and Warehouse departments. Previously, Turner was the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell.
About MAGCH: The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) is a statewide non-profit agency that promotes public health by mitigating the negative personal and community impacts of gambling and gaming. We accomplish our mission through training and education, federal and state advocacy, research and gaming play information, and prevention and recovery programs. We serve individuals who game and gamble and their loved ones. Since its inception in 1983, the MACGH has taken a neutral stance on legal gambling and gaming. MACGH works with key stakeholders such as gaming operators, vendors, regulators, clinicians, people in recovery, and other community-based agencies to help protect individuals from the potential public health impacts of gaming.
About Spectrum: Spectrum Gaming Group is a non-partisan consultancy specializing in the economics, regulation, and policy of legalized gambling worldwide. We have provided independent research and professional services to public- and private-sector clients since 1993. We bring wide industry perspective to every engagement, having worked in 41 US states and territories in 48 countries and six continents. Spectrum also serves as the Executive Director of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS).
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