WONDR NATION Launches Responsible and Sustainable Gaming Fund for Research by the University of Connecticut’s School of Medicine
Mashantucket, CT (SEPTEMBER 29, 2023)
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, coordinating through WONDR NATION®, today announced the launch of the WONDR NATION Responsible and Sustainable Gaming Fund. Timed with Responsible Gaming Education Month, the UConn School of Medicine is awarded a two-year grant totaling $250,000 to support its vital research into the best responsible gaming practices to help support non-problem play.
The Fund will support UConn School of Medicine faculty and graduate students in conducting research that will provide invaluable insights into effective, preventive, and responsible gaming programs. To ensure well-rounded data collection, the grant may be utilized for various areas of study, including self-gambling strategies, improving the efficacy of responsible gaming products, and analyzing data to compare traditional gaming with newer online options and the potential need for different treatments. With a strong dedication to fostering responsible play, WONDR NATION's research alliance with UConn further advances its commitment to improving player safety.
"We take responsible play very seriously and are proud to work closely with UConn researchers to increase player safety, fund critical research, and invest in our communities," said Anika Howard, President & CEO of WONDR NATION. “At WONDR NATION, our mission extends beyond entertainment, as we strive to pioneer a new era of responsible gaming. Teaming with UConn's medical school underscores our unwavering commitment to player safety and community development – a commitment that will redefine the way we play and enjoy gaming.”
“This generous gift from WONDR NATION will promote research on responsible gaming in the state of Connecticut,” said Carla Rash, an associate professor of medicine at UConn School of Medicine the state’s only public medical school, who will spearhead the research. “I am excited to work with WONDR NATION to examine the impact of rapid changes in the gaming landscape on our community and work toward enhancing responsible gaming strategies in online gaming environments.”
UConn’s research findings will also be instrumental in supporting the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming (CCPG) and other specialized treatment programs. As a longstanding advocate for safe gaming practices, WONDR NATION recently announced a Platinum Level sponsorship with CCPG and pledged to donate $300,000 per year for the next five years to support the organization’s responsible gaming efforts and reduce problem gambling through education, prevention and awareness programs.
About WONDR NATION
WONDR NATION is an online gaming entertainment company focused on partnering with best-in-class gaming platforms and using emerging technologies and trends to create new and exciting experiences for players. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, equality and diversity are deeply engrained into WONDR NATION’s company makeup as well as its ongoing endeavors. With corporate responsibility and sustainable play serving as key driving forces, WONDR NATION is committed to educating players about maintaining healthy user habits, and developing the next generation of gaming professionals through educational programs, vocational training and employment opportunities.
About the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located at one of America's oldest Indian reservations, Mashantucket, in Southeastern Connecticut. As pioneers of the Indian Gaming casino industry, the history of the Mashantucket Pequots reveals one of America's greatest come-back stories, featured at the Tribe's world renowned Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Today, the Tribe owns and operates one of the largest Integrated Resort Casino destinations in North America, Foxwoods Resort Casino, along with a variety of complementary businesses including a world-class golf course, luxury spa, Pequot Pharmaceutical Network, and Pequot Plus Health Benefit Services. As one of Connecticut's highest revenue contributors and largest employers, the Mashantucket Pequots have provided the state more than $4 billion in slot revenue through a first-of-its-kind agreement, established in 1993. Likewise, the Tribe has contributed hundreds of millions in donations and sponsorships for the benefit of communities and tribes in need, locally and throughout the U.S.
ABOUT THE UCONN FOUNDATION
The UConn Foundation, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization that operates exclusively to promote the educational, scientific, cultural, research, and recreational objectives of the University of Connecticut. The Foundation does this by providing quality programs and services for its alumni and supporters, and by serving as the primary fundraising vehicle for the University. The Foundation solicits, administers, and invests private funds for the sole benefit of the University and its mission of pursuing excellence in teaching, research, and public service. For more information, visit www.foundation.uconn.edu or find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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