Research under CHARGE includes several major, multi-year studies (listed alphabetically by project title) currently underway:
The Entain-Division on Addiction Internet Gambling Research Collaborative
Funder: Entain
The Division will conduct a five-year research study on gambling and gambling-related problems among patrons of Entain, the multinational sports betting and gaming group. Entain will provide the Division with access to anonymized player data across a range of its brands, sports betting, and gaming products. The research will be broad ranging, focusing on a number of areas including, but not limited to: Patterns of normal internet gambling behavior, behavioral markers of gambling problems among internet players generally and on specific bettor and game types, cross-product analyses, cross-brand analyses, and the effects of the expansion of gambling in new markets. The Division will evaluate the effectiveness of algorithms used by Entain and other operators to detect at-risk behaviors, assess the effectiveness of intervention messaging and the impact of operators’ responsible gaming tools.
Project Build Up Learning Academies
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services via Health Resources in Action
To support Project Build Up, a program of Health Resources in Action, the Division on Addiction is co-developing and co-implementing a series of Problem Gambling Learning Academies for Massachusetts-based providers interested in better serving clients experiencing gambling-related problems. This work includes Learning Academies that are designed specifically for community-based organizations and treatment providers who wish to provide culturally responsive services to Asian American Pacific Islander and Latinx community members.
Statewide Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for Problem Gambling Treatment Services
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services via Health Resources in Action
The Division is collaborating with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to develop and implement the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment (M-TAC). M-TAC will offer broad-based and targeted capacity building, technical assistance, and training services to build the capacity of Massachusetts problem gambling treatment service providers to deliver effective treatment programs for those at risk for or disproportionately impacted by gambling disorders and other co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. M-TAC will be informed by research, evidence-based strategies, and a health equity framework to address the social determinants of health that lead to inequities among those affected by gambling disorders.
