San Manuel Entertainment Authority, an entity of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Monday announced it will collaborate with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s International Gaming Institute to develop a next-generation responsible gaming program.
The program is being launched to prepare for new forms of gaming in California’s Indian Country.
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino General Manager Peter Arceo said in a statement that the initiative aligns with long-held Tribal values of community stewardship and putting people before business.
“At Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, keeping gaming fun and safe is our number one priority,” Arceo said. “…We are excited to merge Tribal values of empowering communities and remaining at the forefront of providing resources for responsible gaming. SMEA is pursuing programming that meets our casino guests where they are, and where they are going so that they can be empowered to make responsible decisions.”
SMEA has previously provided responsible gaming safeguards for its guests at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. The Tribe has funded research and training partnerships focused on safe gaming practices with the California Council on Problem Gambling, UCLA, and other institutions focused on safe gaming practices.
For the new initiative, SMEA is partnering with responsible gaming experts from the International Gaming Institute to create what’s expected to be a values-based approach to help casino guests develop healthy gaming habits as sports betting and online gaming become more prevalent.
“What is so impressive is that both partners in this project possess award-winning, shared, and longstanding commitments to responsible gaming,” said UNLV International Gaming Institute Vice President of Economic Development and Executive Director Bo Bernhard in a statement. “Collectively, our IGI team has more than 100 years’ experience of working on cutting-edge, values-driven, and culturally resonant responsible gaming programming on all six continents.
“We look forward to a collaboration that we believe will introduce a new level of research-based programs that reflect centuries of cultural commitment to the community by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.”
