Massachusetts Launches Long-Awaited Anti-Gambling Initiative
Date: 2024-10-04 Author: Leon Pierce Categories: EVENTS
Massachusetts officials are pushing ahead with a data-gathering initiative aimed at tackling problem gambling. The project, which was put on hold for a long time, is now back in action to study gamblers’ behavior and identify risks associated with gambling.
Responsible Gambling Project’s Progress Called ‘Miraculous’
The initiative has faced a number of challenges from the start, including political issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, state gaming officials called the recent progress “miraculous” and assured that the work will continue after a long period of disruption.
Mark Vander Linden, who oversees research and responsible behavior for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), emphasized the importance of the project. He noted that studying player loyalty data will provide a better understanding of how problem gambling occurs and develops, which will help create informed regulations to combat the problem.
The project aims to gain a deeper understanding of gambling habits than previous studies. In 2023, the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a study on the impact of casinos on problem gambling since 2015, based on player surveys conducted by the commission. However, Vander Linden noted that loyalty data can provide more detailed information about player behavior, which in turn can help improve interventions and assistance.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Pushes for Player Data Collection System
Since the law was passed in 2011, the project has faced many difficulties. First, the commission delayed its implementation until all casinos in Massachusetts were open, in order to avoid an unfair competitive advantage. By 2014, the project was shelved. The pandemic only made matters worse, slowing down plans in various areas, including gambling. Commissioner Brad Hill noted that COVID-19 has been a significant setback, delaying many plans by two to three years.
Despite these challenges, the Gaming Commission is continuing to move forward. The research team recently approached companies to help develop a system that will ensure player data is kept anonymous and shared.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien noted that the work is complex, as it involves not only technological aspects, but also ethical and legal issues. They are looking to ensure transparency and fairness so that researchers can use the data in their research. Hill is confident in the project’s success and is proud of how the team has stood the test of time. He understands that many things take time in government, but believes the end result will set a benchmark for the country in gambling research.
