25th annual Golf Classic highlights ICRG commitment to responsible gambling

For 25 years, JCM Global along with sponsors that include the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the American Gaming Association (AGA) have helped put on the Golf Classic, an event which helps raise money for the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). The mission of the ICRG is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders and help prevent the development of these issues through scientific research and evidence-based educational programming on gambling disorders and responsible gambling.

120 golfers RSVP’d for the Golf Classic and each one made it to the Shadow Creek Golf Course on May 8, an amazing sign of the belief in how crucial responsible gaming is not only in Las Vegas where the event took place, but around the world as well. 

“We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. All of the top industries came out with such enthusiasm to help raise money for research and help further our responsible gaming mission. We haven’t tallied all of the final invoices yet, but I can surmise that somewhere between $150k and $200k was made on the day,” ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky said. 

The large donation total represents a significant increase from where the event first started, when donation amounts would total closer to $10k than six figures. It shows the growth of not only the ICRG, but the gambling industry voice as a whole that proven scientific research, especially that which doesn’t include influence or bias, is vital to the future success of any company or operator. 

“In celebrating 25 years with our title sponsors, AGA and AGEM, and our amazing partner JCM Global, we’ve seen incredible success thanks to all our sponsors’ unwavering support. The resounding success of this event has consistently yielded remarkable outcomes. These funds will play a pivotal role in furthering our mission, to fund scientifically grounded research to deliver valuable insights to the industry, regulators, legislators and the media,” Paikowsky stated in a press release before the event. 

JCM Global provides the leg work for helping the Golf Classic take shape as presenting sponsor for all 25 years in which the event has taken place. The company provides payment solutions and automated transitions within the gaming industry and has been a key partner in assisting the ICRG in raising money for responsible gaming initiatives. 

Paikowsky wanted to highlight JCM Global specifically, stating “Through incredible logistics, JCM Global really is the backbone, per say, of this event. I really do want to emphasize the great work they do for this event each year as well as all the other work they do, they produce really unbelievable jobs.” 

Paikowsky, himself, has been a noble leader for the ICRG, taking over the role as President in October 2021, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Before Covid-19 had hit, he estimated total ICRG revenue as having been $1.3m, this year alone the research center is set to bring in approximately $4m. 

The funds raised from events such as the Golf Classic go to the ICRG research fund and allocate resources to help investigators prevent future problems in responsible gambling. The ICRG process in which funds are distributed has gained much attention around the industry due to the lengths in which it goes to remain unbiased. 

All of ICRG’s funding initiatives are developed and approved by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), an independent panel of scientists working with addictions. Any calls for proposals are then distributed to more than 1,000 scientists around the world. 

Grant applications submitted to the ICRG are evaluated by independent peer review panels composed of leading scientists in the gambling field. Finally, evaluations are then reviewed by SAB, which makes final funding decisions. Neither the governing board nor the donors have any input into this process and research findings are not announced until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Kirk Geller

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