Researcher to Attend Gambling Conference

February 8, 2008

Leading International Researcher to Attend Gambling Conference

One of the world's leading researchers and clinicians in the problem gambling field will be a keynote speaker at an Auckland conference.

Professor Robert Ladouceur from Laval University in Canada will be in Auckland for the International Gambling Conference organised by AUT University and the Problem Gambling Foundation to be held from 21-23 February.

His presentation will look at the main characteristics of pathological gambling and review different models of prevention.

AUT Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Abbott says the work done by Professor Ladouceur has greatly expanded our understanding of problem gambling.

"This work includes the development of measures that can be taken to prevent problems arising in the first place, as well as to help people who have developed problems."

While in New Zealand, Professor Ladouceur will also run training workshops for counsellors and clinicians in the latest evidence-based therapy to assist problem gamblers.

More than 200 people from around the world have registered for the conference to be held at the Crown Plaza hotel. They include delegates from Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, England, China, Singapore, Canada, Australia and the USA.

Other keynote speakers include:

* Professor Max Abbott, AUT. Working from the premise that to move forward, it is helpful to know where we have come from, he will review policy and practice over the last 30 years.

* Tracy Schrans, President of Focal Research Consultants in Novia Scotia, Canada will look at recent projects that have used player tracking data to develop predictive models identifying gambling risk based on player behaviour.

* John Stansfield, CEO, the Problem Gambling Foundation will focus on the rationale and challenges of the integrated model delivery of public health service delivery from a problem gambling agency.

* Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Deputy Head, Department of Public Health at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago.

* Barbara Phillips, Manager, National Problem Gambling team at the Ministry Health.

* Mike Hill, Director of Gambling Compliance at the Department of Internal Affairs.

* John Markland, Manager of Gambling, Racing and Censorship Policy at the Department of Internal Affairs.

ENDS

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