Summary
- Researchers emphasize the necessity for further investigation into the adoption of AI within the gambling industry.
- To protect consumers, researchers must focus on producing more relevant AI research.
- If not properly regulated, AI poses a persistent risk of being misused to negatively impact gambling.
The progress of Artificial Intelligence in the gambling industry is now widely recognized, with both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Florida highlighting the potential regulatory challenges in their recent studies. To maintain a leading position in this developing area, UNLV’s International Gaming Institute has invited the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) to become a founding member of its new AI Research Hub, abbreviated as AiR Hub. The primary objective of the AiR Hub is to support players and establish innovative best practices for consumer protection.
ROGA joins UNLV to spearhead research in AI and its use in gambling
The aim is to promote the integration of AI in the gambling industry responsibly and reliably, ensuring that both companies and players benefit. AiR asserts that it will focus on implementing technological features that aid in risk identification and enhance responsible gambling practices. In a statement, ROGA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shaley commented on this initiative: ROGA is dedicated to developing innovative responsible gaming solutions that support players in maintaining a fun and recreational gaming experience. AI can proactively help us identify ways to improve these programs by personalizing tools that engage each player with responsible gaming resources. Dr. Shaley emphasized that collaborating with UNLV’s International Gaming Institute would provide essential research and insights needed to implement evidence-based strategies for leveraging AI in responsible gambling efforts. UNLV also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at the UNLV International Gaming Institute and co-founder of AiR Hub, stated: Having ROGA as a founding member is particularly significant, as it supports one of the Hub’s main goals: to positively influence the future of responsible gaming in the AI era.
Research into the ethical and regulated use of AI is crucial
Dr. Ghaharian is a co-author of recent research conducted in collaboration with the University of Florida. In this study, he and his colleague examined the potential impact of implementing AI without ethical and regulatory guidance. The UNLV International Gaming Institute has a long-standing history of leading research in the gaming sector, and we are thrilled to have ROGA as a partner for this important initiative, Dr. Ghaharian stated while welcoming the new founding member. ROGA’s role as a founding member is particularly significant as it aligns with one of the Hub’s main goals: to positively shape the future of responsible gaming in the era of AI, he concluded.
