Cancellation Notice for MGCB In-Person and Virtual Public Meeting, March 12, 2024
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) has cancelled the upcoming in-person and virtual meeting that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Michigan Gaming Control Board Emphasizes Responsible Gaming During March for Problem Gambling Awareness Month
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) is emphasizing its commitment to promoting responsible gaming practices during Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March. As part of its efforts, the MGCB is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its podcast series, Double Down Michigan. This podcast explores topics related to the gaming industry in Michigan. Host Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director, discusses responsible gaming, gaming legislation in our state, industry news, current trends, and more. Double Down Michigan features special guests from the gaming industry.
“The podcast has been an invaluable platform for sharing insights, industry updates, and responsible gaming practices with Michigan citizens and our stakeholders,” Williams said. “As we mark this significant milestone, we are excited to reaffirm our dedication to fostering a culture of responsible gaming among players and enthusiasts.”
In an upcoming episode scheduled for March 21, the podcast will feature an interview with Dan Trolaro, Vice President of Prevention at EPIC Global Solutions, who discusses his personal gambling addiction journey and offers tips for recognizing problem gambling behaviors. The MGCB aims to collaborate with experts like Trolaro to provide Michigan citizens with the knowledge and tools needed for responsible gaming.
“As gambling expands, there are so many vulnerable populations now — it’s criminal justice, it’s athletes, it’s young and emerging adults, it’s people who work for operators like sportsbooks and casinos, and it’s those who participate and play the games,” Trolaro said. “It’s important that we shed light on safe ways to gamble, how to keep it safe and how to keep it a form of entertainment in its rightful spot, but also to shed light on what the potential harms could be, because we just don’t talk about that a lot.”
The National Council on Problem Gambling (“NCPG”) reports that approximately 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for severe problem gambling, while 5-8 million meet the criteria for mild or moderate problem gambling.
Michigan residents are encouraged to visit MGCB website for responsible gaming resources and DontRegretTheBet.org for tips and information. They can also contact the MGCB at 888-223-3044 to speak with a Responsible Gaming Representative, or NCPG Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER).
Listeners can access the Double Down Michigan podcast podcast on Buzzsprout or on most podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, as well as on the MGCB’s website.
Michigan Lottery Recognizes Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March
Michigan Lottery issued a press release announcing efforts to promote public awareness of problem gambling as part of Problem Gambling Awareness month. They are working to spotlight prevention, treatment, and recovery services that can be utilized in Michigan.
Lottery provides $1 million to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services each year to fund statewide problem gambling programs and provides services like self-exclusion periods, daily and weekly deposit limits, cool off periods, and more to enhance available resources.
Four Winds Casinos is Committed to Promoting Responsible Gaming at All Locations
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos, in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (“NCPG”), recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (“PGAM”). PGAM brings together a wide range of stakeholders, such as public health organizations, treatment providers, advocacy groups, and gambling operators to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
During the entire month of March, Four Winds Casinos will implement a heightened awareness campaign for its employees and for the public through its social media channels and engage in other activities that increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
The campaign coincides with March Madness, a time where Americans are expected to wager over $3 billion. While gambling can be enjoyable, it carries risks.
According to Mary Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos, “The Pokagon Gaming Authority and its Four Winds Casinos continue to be fully committed to promoting responsible gaming at our casino locations and online gaming site. We regularly evaluate our mandatory employee training programs aimed at educating our team members on the spectrum of gambling disorders, recognition of behaviors, and how to provide resources to our guests. A healthy and informed community should be everyone’s goal.”
All Four Winds Casino locations display printed brochures that include information regarding signs of problem gambling and toll-free hotline numbers for the national helpline as well as the Michigan and Indiana state helpline numbers. More information and resources provided by Four Winds Casinos can be found on their website.
Four Winds Casinos has been a major sponsor for the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) National Conference on Problem Gambling, the largest and longest running conference on problem gaming worldwide. Raquel Buari, the Senior Vice President of Compliance and Human Resources at Four Winds Casinos, holds a seat on the Board of Directors for the NCPG, the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling, and the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling (“ICPG”). In 2023, Four Winds made the commitment of dedicating a role for oversight of their responsible gaming efforts, Manager of Responsible Gaming, filled by Jessica Blake. Blake is the Secretary for the ICPG and is an active member of NCPG.
For those seeking help, in addition to the National Problem Gambling Helpline. Michigan residents can contact the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling at michiganapg@gmail.com or (800) 270-7117. Indiana residents can reach the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling at christinagray@indianaproblemgambling.org or (800) 994-8448.
For more information on problem gambling and PGAM, visit: ncpgambling.org/pgam.
Gun Lake Casino Names Ronaldo Pascual Director of Hotel Operations
Ronaldo Pascual, with a 20-year career managing Forbes Four-Star/AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel and casino resort operations, has been named Director of Hotel Operations for Gun Lake Casino (GLC) according to a recent announcement.
“We are very excited to welcome Ronaldo Pascual to GLC as our new Director of Hotel Operations. Ronaldo will be a perfect fit to help us carry on the culture and vision for this soon-to-be, world-class casino resort,” said Jose Flores, Senior Vice President and General Manager for GLC.
Pascual has worked for tribal gaming properties in California, Alabama, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. He is an American Hotel & Lodging Association Certified Hotel Administrator and has a General Manager Certification from Hilton Hotels.
The Director of Hotel Operations position has been implemented as part of preparations for the Phase 5 expansion, with its expected opening in 2025.