The History of Safer Gambling With Dr. Catania

Module Overview:

"The History of Safer Gambling" explores the evolution and foundations of safer gambling practices, with an introduction to the pioneering Reno Model. It examines the harm minimization approach, which strikes a balance between prohibitionist and libertinism. The module delves into the proposed strategies of the Reno Model, emphasising the purpose and necessity of safer gambling measures. Learners will also understand what constitutes a successful safer gambling strategy and the crucial role it plays in mitigating company liability and associated risks.

Learning Objectives:

• Trace the origins of safer gambling practices and the influence of the Reno Model. 
• Understand the harm minimization approach as a balanced framework.
• Explore the proposed strategies of the Reno Model.
• Recognize the importance and purpose of safer gambling measures. 
• Comprehend the components of a successful safer gambling strategy and its impact on company liability.

Dr. Maris Catania is a Chartered Psychologist and a veteran in the gambling industry, with over fourteen years of experience in game integrity and safer gambling.

Dr. Catania holds multiple advanced degrees, including a PhD from Nottingham Trent University, where her research focused on consumer protection, markers of harm, and responsible gambling under the supervision of Professor Mark Griffiths. She also holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology, a MSc in Addiction Studies, and is currently pursuing a MSc in Artificial Intelligence. Her work has earned her the Gambling Compliance Most Significant Contribution to Responsible Gambling Research award for three consecutive years.

In addition to her industry work, Dr. Catania teaches at the University of Malta, delivering lectures on gambling psychology, gaming psychology, gambling policy, behavioral addiction, and cyberpsychology. Her research is available on ResearchGate.