Selected Projects
Gambling Motivated Crime/Diversion Courts
Problem gambling not only affects the gambler, but an estimated 10 to 17 people such as family members and coworkers, are affected by a gambler’s addiction. In addition to affecting others, gambling produces a cycle of addiction wherein gamblers acquire debt from gambling and then must gamble to earn money to pay off these debts. If the gambler remains stuck in this pattern, and is unable to desist, gambling-motivated crimes result. Within the criminal justice system, courts do not often understand problem gambling, and gambling addiction is not treated like other addictions. To help stakeholders recognize gambling motivated crime, Dr. Michelle Malkin has developed a novel checklist that can be used by practitioners, lawyers, judges, and others to better understand what is and what is not gambling-motivated acquisitional crime and who is most appropriate for a gambling diversion program. The Malkin Gambling-Motivated Crime Diversion Checklist has been licensed from multiple state agencies and organizations from across the country. The Malkin Crime Checklist on the ECU Digital Market.
The GRPI works with multiple jurisdictions to evaluate Gambling Treatment Diversion court treatment programs. If you have any questions about these programs, please contact Michelle Malkin.
Emerging Adults & College Students
Emerging Adults (typically ages 18-24) and College Students are at an elevated risk for high-risk behaviors including gambling. Because the brain is still developing, impulse control and decision-making skills are still in the formative stage. The emergence of online gambling platforms due to the legalization of sports betting has only made gambling more accessible to more individuals. When you consider other social factors, emotional, financial, and psychological factors, you can see why this group is at an elevated risk of developing a gambling problem. The GRPI has conducted studies on this group.
Gambling behavior and awareness among UNC system undergraduates
The GRPI surveyed undergraduates from 12 universities and colleges in North Carolina. The goal of the survey was to measure college students’ baseline gambling awareness, behavior, and risk. The survey was conducted in the Spring of 2023, prior to the legalization of online sports gambling in the state of North Carolina (March 11, 2024).
In the fall of 2023, the GRPI conducted a nationwide survey of college students to compare gambling behaviors and awareness of that group to those in North Carolina. Those findings are included in this report.
The GRPI will also be hosting the North Carolina College Student Gambling Summit on April 8, 2025. This exciting workshop will introduce a curriculum that can be delivered by peer students or staff for campuses to offer to students to help them understand gambling & recognize the signs of gambling-related harms.
Voluntary Self Exclusion (VSE)
Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) is a process in which an individual voluntarily signs a contract that limits access to engage in forms of gambling indicated by the contract. These bans can last anywhere from months to years to a lifetime. These programs are typically offered by state gambling commissions, casinos, and online gaming platforms. The contracts can vary significantly in language, as well as the consequences. The GRPI is conducting research on Voluntary Self-Exclusion across the United States.
Understudied Populations
An area of focus for the GRPI is researching understudied populations. These populations may be marginalized due to many factors, including socio-economic status, cultural, and geographic considerations. Some examples include LGBTQ+, women, minorities, Low-income individuals, veterans, prisoners, and people living in rural or remote communities. These groups are underrepresented in most research on gambling. The GRPI aims to fill these gaps by conducting research on diverse populations and providing results to ensure state resources are provided to those most in need and so that policies can be more inclusive and effective for all populations.
Current Projects at the GRPI include:
- 4 state comparative study of gambling behavior
- Online US/UK comparative study
- Pride festivals
- Transgender projects
- ICRG
NC Gambling Prevalence and Risk
One of the primary goals of the GRPI is to conduct research relevant to problem gambling and to provide reports and best practice guidelines to the state of North Carolina. GRPI aims to inform strategies and policies for responsible gaming and problem gambling prevention within our state. The GRPI is planning the launch of a comprehensive North Carolina Gambling Prevalence study in the Fall of 2025.
The GRPI has combined with the NC Gambling Program, Telus Health, and Birches Health to conduct an evaluation of telehealth gambling treatment for all NC based clients. The GRPI is also assessing the cost to the state as the payor of last resort for teleheath counseling with no out-of-pocket cost to all NC clients receiving treatment.