The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers and Gaming Laboratories International announced Monday that they have committed $200,000 to the Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center over the next two years through their joint charitable venture, the Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative.
The gift was made in part to highlight the importance of the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Education Week 2019, which runs September 15-21. The initiative is a national push for responsible gaming education, training and awareness and includes participation from many industry stakeholders.
“We are so grateful for the generous donation that AGEM and GLI have pledged to our center,” Hunter Center Executive Director Stephanie Goodman said. “The transformation of our clients during our six-week Intensive Outpatient Program, developed by Dr. Hunter, speaks volumes to its effectiveness. This money will have a direct impact on problem gamblers in our community.”
Commenting for the Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative, GLI Spokesperson Lori Sayde said, “AGEM and GLI, through the Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative, support the Problem Gambling Center because its multi-pronged approach to helping individuals through evaluation, treatment and counseling, regardless of their ability to pay, is an essential service.”
“We are pleased to make this contribution as Responsible Gaming Education Week kicks off, and to join forces with the operators, suppliers, regulators, and organizations that are united in the fight against problem gambling,” Sayde said.
This is the first joint effort by AGEM and GLI through the Initiative to support responsible gaming. Both companies have long histories of supporting responsible gaming efforts in policy and in financial support.
“AGEM has been a supporter of the work done by the Problem Gambling Center in Las Vegas since our inception and our annual contributions over the past 20 years now total nearly $1 million,” AGEM Executive Director Marcus Prater said. “We are still saddened by Dr. Hunter’s untimely passing last year but are encouraged by the motivation of the PGC team to carry on his powerful legacy.”
AGEM and GLI announced the Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative earlier this year and made its first gift to the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering building fund at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which was a $500,000 contribution.
