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News | February 15, 2022

Sands Donates $300,000 to Further Responsible Gaming Research and Education

Image of a room with a pool table

In February, Las Vegas Sands provided $300,000 in funding to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to support the nonprofit organization’s ongoing research and education on gambling disorder and responsible gaming. For more than 25 years, ICRG has aimed to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder through first-class research and evidence-based education programs.

Sands has been a long-time supporter of ICRG, which is the only funding source for scientific research on gambling disorder and responsible gaming in the United States. Past donations from Sands have underwritten a variety of ground-breaking ICRG projects, including the first research effort focused on training credit counselors to identify clients with gambling problems and offer support, as well as the first website designed to reduce gambling problems among college students and the first research-based guide, “Talking to Children about Gambling,” aimed at reducing youth gambling.

“Sands has been one of ICRG’s leading donors for nearly a decade,” said ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky. “Their support has enabled the ICRG to build the field of research that will lead to effective treatment, prevention and responsible gaming.”

Sands’ ICRG support complements the company’s Sands Project Protect program, a comprehensive global initiative that provides safeguards for guests and Team Members by promoting responsible gaming practices, preventing financial crimes and providing counter-human trafficking measures. Sands’ responsible gaming strategy includes five core pillars – Team Member training, self-limit options, accessible and prominent signage for resources, partnerships with organizations that address the issue and a unique Responsible Gaming Ambassador program that was developed with leading experts in the responsible gaming field and provides Team Member support on casino floors 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

“Sands Project Protect offers a best-in-class, global responsible gaming program that aims to reduce gaming risk and improve social safeguards to help our guests make informed choices,” said Maria-Christina Annaloro, director of government relations and responsible gaming at Sands. “The five core arms of the program work together so Sands can provide resources and support at the right time.”

For more information about Sands Project Protect, visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility/community/#protect.