October 5, 2023 | Combined Reports

Research into Responsible Gaming

UConn School of Medicine researchers will now examine responsible gaming and its best practices for Connecticut’s rapidly changing gaming landscape including growth of online gambling.

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The UConn School of Medicine has been awarded a two-year grant totaling $250,000 to support vital research into the best responsible gaming practices to help support non-problem play. The research was awarded by The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, coordinating through WONDR NATION® as part of the launch of the new WONDR NATION Responsible and Sustainable Gaming Fund.

The Fund will support UConn School of Medicine faculty and graduate students in conducting research that will provide invaluable insights into effective, preventive, and responsible gaming programs. To ensure well-rounded data collection, the grant may be utilized for various areas of study, including self-gambling strategies, improving the efficacy of responsible gaming products, and analyzing data to compare traditional gaming with newer online options and the potential need for different treatments. WONDR NATION says its research alliance with UConn further advances its commitment to improving player safety.

“We take responsible play very seriously and are proud to work closely with UConn researchers to increase player safety, fund critical research, and invest in our communities,” said Anika Howard, President & CEO of WONDR NATION. “At WONDR NATION, our mission extends beyond entertainment, as we strive to pioneer a new era of responsible gaming. Teaming with UConn’s medical school underscores our unwavering commitment to player safety and community development – a commitment that will redefine the way we play and enjoy gaming.”

“This generous gift from WONDR NATION will promote research on responsible gaming in the state of Connecticut,” said Carla Rash, an associate professor of medicine at UConn School of Medicine, the state’s only public medical school, who will spearhead the research. “I am excited to work with WONDR NATION to examine the impact of rapid changes in the gaming landscape on our community and work toward enhancing responsible gaming strategies in online gaming environments.”

UConn’s research findings will also be instrumental in supporting the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming (CCPG) and other specialized treatment programs.