In 1996, during a gathering of gaming industry leaders in Las Vegas, Frank Fahrenkopf, a former Republican National Party chairman and the then-new president of the American Gaming Association (AGA), outlined a strategy to protect the industry’s reputation and future growth. He advised against repeating the mistakes of the tobacco industry, which had denied the addictive nature of nicotine for years. Instead, he urged the gaming industry to acknowledge the existence of gambling addiction and take the lead in framing the discussion around it.
To this end, the AGA established the National Center for Responsible Gambling, which was rebranded as the International Center for Responsible Gambling (ICRG) in 2020. Since its inception, the ICRG has been a dominant force in U.S. gambling research.
Much like the tobacco and fossil fuel industries, the gambling industry funds research that conveniently aligns with its interests. However, the gambling industry has arguably been more successful than others in influencing the public discourse on the subject.
The Reno model
On the ICRG website, a section titled “research milestones” highlights significant studies funded by the organization. One such study is the 2004 paper, A Science-Based Framework for Responsible Gambling: The Reno Model, which outlined six key assumptions:
- Safe levels of gambling participation are possible.
- Gambling offers recreational, social, and economic benefits to individuals and communities.
- Excessive gambling can cause significant harm to a portion of participants, their families, and others.
- The total social benefits of gambling must outweigh its total social costs.
- Abstinence is a viable goal for those harmed by gambling, though not necessarily essential.
- Controlled gambling and a return to safe participation levels are achievable for some individuals with gambling-related harm.
The paper aimed to guide the development of responsible gambling initiatives and promote ongoing dialogue on the subject. This approach has been highly successful, with the language of “responsible gambling” and “problem gambler” becoming embedded in regulatory frameworks.
However, the extent of the gambling industry’s influence on this agenda is not entirely transparent. For many years, gambling research seldom disclosed its funding sources. The original Reno Model paper does not mention its funding sources, but a 2015 follow-up paper, Extending the Reno Model, acknowledges financial support from various gambling organizations, including La Loterie Romande (Switzerland), ClubNSW (Australia), Camelot (UK), La Française des Jeux (France), Loto-Québec (Canada), and the National Lottery (Belgium).
Shifting responsibility to the individual
Charles Livingstone, an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, told Crikey that the responsible gambling framework shifts the focus from the industry’s role to the individual’s actions. He argues that it suggests addiction stems from personal flaws rather than the harmful nature of the product itself. According to Livingstone, while the framework appears to offer concern and rehabilitation, it downplays the significant risks associated with common gambling products.
In 2021, two of the Reno Model’s architects defended the framework, arguing that minimizing individual responsibility while exaggerating social factors could lead to social chaos. They emphasized the need for a balanced view of gambling that considers the roles of the individual, the environment, and the industry.
Industry ‘partnerships’
A parliamentary inquiry led by the late Peta Murphy concluded that the gambling industry has too much influence in shaping gambling regulation and policy in Australia. The inquiry noted that licensed wagering providers in Australia have successfully framed gambling harm as a matter of personal responsibility, reducing the perceived accountability of the industry and government. This narrative has had a detrimental impact on Australians experiencing gambling-related harm.
One of the tenets of the responsible gambling framework is the importance of a “partnership” between the industry, regulators, and researchers. In 2014, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, one of the Reno Model’s original architects, defended his decision to accept over a million dollars from ClubsNSW for research. He argued that access to industry data and real-life research is essential for producing sensible, evidence-based information. Blaszczynski has also claimed that safeguards are in place to prevent industry interference in his research, asserting that his findings have never been disputed for inaccuracies.
Major organizations and their influence
In Australia, the National Association of Gambling Studies (NAGS) is the peak body for gambling research. Its conferences are often held in casinos and sponsored by gambling organizations, with industry representatives serving on its committees.
Internationally, the situation is even more pronounced. The ICRG has invested tens of millions of dollars into research, and U.S. universities frequently partner with individual casino companies. In 2023, universities such as Michigan State, Louisiana State University, the University of Maryland, the University of Denver, and the University of Colorado announced multi-year partnerships with sports betting companies. These partnerships include advertising at college sports events and commitments to focus on responsible gaming education.
In the UK, the largest gambling addiction charity, GambleAware, received over £46 million (more than $90 million) from gambling operators in the 2022-23 financial year.
Even in the smaller Australian market, gambling money has a significant impact. Last year, Sydney University established the Centre for Excellence in Gambling Research, a multi-disciplinary center dedicated to advancing research on gambling behavior and minimizing harm. The center was funded with a $600,000 commitment from the International Centre for Responsible Gaming.
Anyone affected by problem gambling can receive immediate, confidential support by calling the National Gambling Helpline at 1800 858 858, available 24/7.
