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Considering the Public Health and Reno Models: Strategic and Tactical Approaches for Dealing with Gambling-Related Harms

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Abstract

Some critics of the Reno model appear to have misinterpreted its fundamental tenets by expressing the belief that the model is incompatible with the public health model. Both the public health and Reno models attempt to influence policies and strategies designed to promote responsible gambling and the reduction of gambling-related harms. In this article, we describe four principles that characterize a public health perspective focusing on gambling and discuss how the Reno model complements the public health approach. Both models encompass principles and guidelines that emphasize the shared responsibilities across multiple stakeholders including governments, industry, community welfare, and individuals. The Reno model represents a tactical framework for responsible gambling complementing the broader population public health approach, each model consistent in attempting to prevent the incidence, reduce the prevalence, and minimize gambling disorders and related harms. Paradoxically, although stakeholders are in agreement about the general principles and objectives, differences are evident in the manner different interventions are chosen and applied in efforts to achieve common goals.

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Funding

Howard Shaffer has received funding from a variety of sources, including the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations via the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Indian Health Services (IHS), the Integrated Centre on Addiction Prevention and Treatment of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals—which receives funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, DraftKings, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In addition, during approximately the past 5 years, Shaffer or the Division on Addiction received funding from the National Center for Responsible Gambling, National Institutes of Health, the Alcohol Beverage Management Research Fund, the Danish Council for Independent Research, Heineken USA, Inc., bwin.party, St. Francis House, the State of Florida (i.e., as a subcontract to Spectrum Gaming Group), the Massachusetts Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Grant Program (i.e., as a subcontracted evaluator for Worcester House of Corrections), and the Massachusetts Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program—as a subcontracted evaluator for Cambridge Police Department. Dr. Shaffer also has received speaker honoraria and compensation for consultation from the American Psychological Association, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Davies Ward Phillips and Vineberg, LLP, Freshfelds Bruckhaus Deringer, LLP, and from the Dunes of Easthampton, a residential addiction treatment program, for serving as a consultant. Regarding this project, he did not receive any reimbursement from Laval University for travel or other expenses. He did not receive an honorarium associated with the international group on responsible gambling.

Alex Blaszczynski has received direct and indirect funding during the last few years for research projects, consultancies, book royalties, honoraria for conference presentations, and to cover travel expenses from sources including La Loterie Romande (Switzerland), Svenska Spel (Sweden), Club NSW (Australia), Comelot (UK), La Française des Jeux (France), Loto-Québec (Québec, Canada), Casino Austria, National Lottery (Belgium), Sportsbet, Aristocrat Leisure Industries, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, Responsible Gambling Trust (GambleAware), Manitoba Gambling Research Program, NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming, and Racing, Gambling Research Australia, National Association for Gambling Studies, National Council on Problem Gambling, and Le Comité d’organisation Congrès international sur les troubles addictifs. He receives funding from the Routledge Group in his role as Editor-in-Chief for International Gambling Studies. All professional dealings have been conducted with the aim of enhancing responsible gambling and harm minimization policies and practices, training counselors in the treatment interventions, and advancing our understanding of the psychology of gambling.

Robert Ladouceur has received funding during the last few years for consultancies, book royalties, honoraria for conference presentations, and to cover travel expenses from sources including La Loterie Romande (Switzerland), Club NSW (Australia), Comelot (UK), La Française des Jeux (France), Loto-Québec (Québec, Canada), National Lottery (Belgium). He is a member of the Independent Assessment Panel of the World Lottery Association.

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Correspondence to Howard J. Shaffer.

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Shaffer, H.J., Blaszczynski, A. & Ladouceur, R. Considering the Public Health and Reno Models: Strategic and Tactical Approaches for Dealing with Gambling-Related Harms. Int J Ment Health Addiction 18, 806–818 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00149-3

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