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Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are celebrating the Responsible Gambling Education Month (RGEM) by expanding Hard Rock’s industry-leading responsible gambling program, PlayersEdge. The program has rolled out new initiatives, education programs, and research partnerships, all designed to advance positive play and facilitate informed decision-making.
“Responsible gambling is about empowering players, team members and guests with knowledge, research and support so they can make informed choices that work for them. Through PlayersEdge, we continue to invest in innovative education, research and training initiatives that help advance positive play while strengthening our ability to support guests who may need assistance,” said Paul Pellizzari, Vice President of Global Social Responsibility for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.
Enhanced responsible gambling initiatives
PlayersEdge is a comprehensive responsible gambling education program developed by Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. It comprises various player safety features, including user-configured limits, time-out features, self-exclusion, and a digital health mobile app.
The program also empowers players to practice healthy gambling habits through a combination of player education, team member training, and research and intervention resources. Notably, the program supports all user profiles, from seasoned regulars to new and casual players. The program reflects the philosophy behind the RGEM, a campaign led by the American Gaming Association (AGA) with the goal of promoting gambling literacy, increasing awareness of problem gambling resources, and evaluating team member training.
Notably, responsible gambling education has been a core aspect of team member training at Hard Rock Casino and Seminole Gaming since 2021. It continues to evolve over time through partnerships with industry organizations, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
Here’s an overview of the various initiatives undertaken to expand the PlayersEdge program:
‘Chance’ Campaign
The new ‘Chance’ Campaign aims to help players better understand one of the most fundamental concepts of gambling: chance. The message is simple and clear: you can’t influence chance, but you can control how you play.
Notably, the campaign is driven by the common misconception among many players that outcomes can be influenced or predicted. Interestingly, the ‘Chance’ Campaign was rolled out across Hard Rock Casinos during the RGEM.
Leadership through Collaboration
Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming are founding members of the Better Gambling Forum, a coalition of different sectors working on coordinated, evidence-based solutions based on brain health, cognitive capital, and mental resilience. The Forum’s goal is to come up with a comprehensive framework to be used across all sectors of the gambling industry. Notably, the Forum is an initiative of the Brain Capital Alliance in collaboration with the United Nations, the G7, and the World Economic Forum.
Research & Evidence-Based Practice
PlayersEdge strategies are based on factual research by acclaimed professionals. The company is currently working with Dr. Michael Wohl and his team on research funded independently by the Center for Responsible Gaming (CRM).
The research will involve trying to better understand the experiences and perspectives of casino supervisors and managers who interact with players, with five Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming casinos participating. The goal is to determine the organizational factors that enhance or restrict the effective delivery of responsible gambling initiatives.
Almond Digital Health App Pilot
The Almond Digital Health App was piloted at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati as an extension of the PlayersEdge program. It gave players access to a multilingual, anonymous platform that connects players with additional responsible gambling resources and support options with the ultimate goal of supporting healthier gambling behaviors.
The pilot program ran for three months and got a positive reception. As a result, Hard Rock is now evaluating options to not only continue the program in Cincinnati but also expand it across other states where it operates.
Amplified Impact Social Responsibility Report
Amplified Impact, the latest Social Responsibility Report from Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming, includes additional information on responsible gambling, environmental sustainability, anti-human trafficking, community impact, team members, and culture. Overall, it highlights how the company’s mottos guide action across the organization and communities worldwide.
