RGC and ICRG Partner to Drive Global Gambling Harm Prevention

TORONTO, ON — [March 11, 2026] — The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) are joining forces to strengthen gambling harm prevention research, education, and policy worldwide. This formalized partnership brings together two of North America’s most respected independent non-profits, uniting their expertise to reduce gambling harm through a shared commitment to evidence-informed solutions.

The partnership will be showcased publicly for the first time at Discovery 2026, RGC’s flagship annual conference, taking place April 14 to 16 in Toronto. ICRG representatives will participate as featured partners, and the two organizations will co-present a joint session as part of the conference program. Themed “Diverse Voices, Shared Innovation: Preventing Gambling Harm Through Collective Action,” Discovery 2026 is expected to convene more than 300 delegates from across Canada and around the world, representing regulators, operators, researchers, treatment providers, community organizations, and people with lived experience.

“Our partnership with ICRG reflects what we believe at the heart of RGC’s mission: that preventing gambling harm requires all of us working together across borders and disciplines,” said Sarah McCarthy, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council. “ICRG brings world-class research credibility and an invaluable network of scientists and clinicians. Together, we can do more to turn evidence into action and ensure that responsible gambling standards keep pace with a rapidly evolving landscape. We are thrilled to formalize this relationship, and to have ICRG join us at Discovery 2026 as a true partner.”

The partnership will focus on four key areas: co-presenting at major conferences, including Discovery and the ICRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction; exploring opportunities for regional conferences in Canada; and participating in international research and public awareness campaigns. The collaboration will deepen connections between RGC’s harm prevention programs and ICRG’s world-class research network to drive meaningful, practical change.

“ICRG has long been committed to ensuring that the best science informs gambling policy and practice,” said Michael Soll, President of the International Center for Responsible Gaming. “RGC shares that commitment, and does exceptional work translating research into real-world programs and standards. This agreement opens the door to meaningful collaboration that will benefit practitioners, policymakers, and ultimately the people and communities most at risk of gambling harm. We look forward to building this relationship and to joining the Discovery 2026 community in April.”

Now in its second decade, Discovery has become Canada’s premier forum for responsible gambling knowledge exchange, drawing delegates from across the gambling ecosystem to share research, challenge assumptions, and develop practical solutions to reduce harm. In 2025, the conference hosted 306 delegates from 10 countries over three days. The addition of ICRG as a formal partner for 2026 further strengthens the conference’s international profile and its capacity to connect the latest research with frontline practitioners.

Registration for Discovery 2026 is now open. For more information about the conference program, partnership opportunities, and to register, visit https://reg.eventmobi.com/discovery2026.

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About the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)

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.

About the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG)

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), founded in 1996, continues to serve as the only funding source for scientific research on gambling disorder and responsible gambling in the United States. It is recognized as a global leader on these topics and has yielded nearly 500 articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. For more information, visit www.icrg.org.

Media Contacts:

Patrick Moore
Senior Manager, Communications & PR
Responsible Gambling Council
patrickM@rgco.org | 437-991-9781
responsiblegambling.org

Noelle Mancini
Operations and Marketing Manager
International Center for Responsible Gaming
nmancini@icrg.org
icrg.org