April 17, 2026
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is pleased to announce Nolan Gooding as this year’s Tibor Barsony Bursary recipient. This annual $5,000 award recognizes outstanding academic contributions to gambling harm prevention research.
Nolan is a PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary and holds a MSc in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. His research focuses on evidence-informed approaches to gambling harm prevention, including evaluating and strengthening public health guidelines; a project supported through a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Catalyst Grant. Nolan is also completing an advanced clinical practicum in community addiction and mental health at Calgary’s Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre.
Nolan has published in several peer-reviewed journals, and he has received recognition for his work through multiple academic and sector awards. Most recently, the Canadian Psychological Association’s Addiction Psychology Section awarded him the 2025 Manuscript Award for his project, “Problem Gambling in Canada: The Moderating Effect of Sex.”
The Tibor Barsony Bursary honours RGC’s founder, a pioneering advocate whose leadership helped break the silence around problem gambling in Canada. Tibor drew from his lived experiences and years of supporting people impacted by gambling harms to bring together government, regulation, industry, treatment, and social services to advance prevention and player protection.
“Nolan’s dedication to advancing prevention research to protect future generations from gambling-related harms continues Tibor Barsony’s legacy of advocacy and awareness,” said Sarah McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of RGC. “Through this bursary, we are proud to support emerging researchers whose work strengthens evidence-informed prevention and builds on the foundation Tibor established in Canada.”
While Nolan could not join us in person at Discovery 2026 to receive his award, we are proud to recognize his contributions and look forward to following his work as it continues to advance prevention research and safer gambling practices.
About the Responsible Gambling Council
The Responsible Gambling Council is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing gambling harm across Canada and globally. For more than 40 years, RGC has delivered evidence-based awareness programs, advanced responsible gambling best practices, and facilitated the internationally recognized RG Check accreditation program. RGC works with regulators, operators, researchers, treatment providers, community organizations, and people with lived experience to ensure gambling safeguards are in place and that all people have access to the information and support they need. Visit responsiblegambling.org.
The Tibor Barsony Bursary recognizes researchers who carry forward the spirit of RGC's founder, a trailblazing advocate who helped break the silence around problem gambling in Canada. This year, that recognition goes to Nolan Gooding, a PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology whose work is shaping the next generation of evidence-informed gambling harm prevention.
The Responsible Gambling Council unveiled a new public service announcement targeting young adult males aged 19 to 24, and released a new impact report documenting the results of Ontario's Responsible Internet Gambling Fund.
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has joined the International Gaming Standards Association Responsible Gambling Committee as a Partner Member. The appointment positions RGC to contribute its evidence-based research and prevention expertise to the development of global responsible gambling standards.
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