International Center for Gaming Regulation Announces 2023 Research Fellows
Dr. Robert Mathner, Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Dr. Christina Martin, Director of the School of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management at Troy University, are the ICGR 2023 Research Fellows
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The International Center for Gaming Regulation (the Center) at the International Gaming Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is sponsoring research to be conducted by two new research fellows following an open call for applications.
Dr. Robert Mathner, a current professor at Troy University and a former compliance officer at three different NCAA Division I institutions, and Dr. Christina Martin, Director of the School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management and current professor at Troy University will be studying Extending Sports Wagering Studies Outside of the NCAA Student-Athlete Population: High School Athletes Gambling and Sport Wagering Behaviors, to expand on initial research conducted by the researchers and presented at the 2022 North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The Center is proud to support Drs. Mathner and Martin in their research process as part of our team during their research process, and we look forward to their insights and findings supporting our growing understanding of best practices in sports wagering regulation,” said Craig Ferreira, interim executive director of the Center. “It is always the goal of the Center to support new research and applications of existing research to better understand the rapidly changing sports wagering and gaming environment.”
The proposed study is anticipated to affect change in gambling environments and can potentially have national implications as a guide for governing bodies and state high school athletics associations to educate individuals involved with high school athletes, such as administrators, coaches, and athletes, on the implications of illegal sports wagering and point shaving. The results of the research could also point to the long-term impact of gambling behaviors, such as point shaving, on the mental health of high school athletes.
“We are proud to have the opportunity to rely on the experts and resources at the International Center for Gaming Regulation, and we look forward to using this research fellowship to broaden the understanding of this under-studied area of the impact of sports wagering on young athletes,” said Dr. Mathner.
“The areas we are exploring have the potential to impact today’s young athletes as well as their educators, coaches, and leaders. Results from the research can better inform our high school communities and sports organizations on how to prepare young athletes to recognize and react to these situations appropriately—potentially protecting their education and their future careers,” said Dr. Martin.
Each research fellowship from the Center lasts for a duration of six (6) months. The results of the research will be shared publicly upon completion.
To learn more about the International Center for Gaming Regulation, please visit www.unlv.edu/icgr.
###