Director of The Institute for Gambling Education and Research given 2022 Scientific Achievement Award

Receives highest honor within the gambling research community

The International Center for Responsible Gaming, or ICRG, has awarded Dr. James Whelan, research professor in the department of Psychology and director of the Institute for Gambling Education and Research at the UofM, with the 2022 ICRG Scientific Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of behavioral addictions, distinctly gambling disorder. For over 25 years, ICRG has been leading the field forward in funding and supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into gambling disorder. Their efforts have made an international impact on public policy, enhancing responsible gambling, and improving the health and well-being of the people and communities affected by gambling disorder.

In the announcement of this award, Whelan was commended for his dedication to connecting research and clinical practice, not only expanding the knowledge base of gambling disorder but also helping inform relevant clinical practice and raising awareness for the general public. Beyond academia, his work has led to casino companies seeking his assistance in developing responsible gambling policies. The American Gaming Association invited Whelan to join the Responsible Gambling Collaborative to help craft their Responsible Gambling Effectiveness Principles.

Whelan’s commitment to public awareness of gambling disorder began with the establishment of The Gambling Clinic, an outpatient gambling treatment center he co-founded in 1999. The clinic is the longest established research facility focused on gambling treatment in the U.S. He co-created an evidence-based treatment guide for a brief gambling intervention, which has helped more than 1,200 individuals with gambling problems successfully make changes in their lives. Most recently, he worked with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, or MHSAS, to create a statewide safety net for those with gambling difficulties. Whelan recruited an inter-disciplinary team of professionals to help develop a wide-ranging dissemination campaign, reaching thousands through a variety of traditional and online media. Furthermore, Whelan’s mentoring of young researchers and clinicians has made a long-lasting contribution to the field of gambling studies.

Whelan continues to build on the marriage of research and clinical practice related to gambling disorder. He recently received a $1.2 million grant from MHSAS to help further his efforts of reaching affected individuals. This grant is allowing Whelan to develop an online resource to offer a continuum of care for those with gambling problems that is the first of its kind. The website will allow

Whelan and his team to empirically explore how to get those with gambling problems into treatment and to engage individuals to complete an effective dose of treatment. The results of these efforts will also allow more people to be reached throughout Tennessee. The long-term plans will involve providing those who visit the website to freely choose treatment options that best suits their readiness to change and empower their capabilities to gain control over their gambling and their recovery process.

Lastly, Whelan’s team at The Institute for Gambling Education and Research continues to examine several aspects of gambling. Current studies progressing at the Institute include: a meta-analysis on the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; an examination of the effect of substances use on gambling behavior and expectancies of gambling outcomes; interactive warning messages; social media algorithms when displaying gambling advertisements; and problem awareness and help seeking.

In receiving the award, Whelan said, “I am truly an honor for my work to be recognized by this important international research center. Credit for this award needs to be shared with my colleague Dr. Andrew Meyers and the many intelligent and creative graduate students who helped us ask important questions and improve our ability to help people repair their lives.”

Christine Reilly, ICRG’s Senior Research Director, stated, “The International Center for Responsible Gaming is proud to honor Dr. Whelan for his scientific accomplishments, his innovative approach to reaching out to people who need help and his outstanding mentoring of the next generation of gambling researchers. We believe that his work with the treatment clinic will prove to be a model for other providers focused on gambling disorder.”

For more information on this award or research, contact Whelan at jwhelan@memphis.edu.

For more information on the recent $1.2M grant given to The Institute for Gambling Education and Research, read full press release here >>