The Gambling Research Policy Initiative (GRPI) at East Carolina University has launched a new program to expand research on gambling addiction, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative aims to address the severe gambling problems affecting 2.5 million adults nationwide each year, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Dr. Michelle L. Malkin, the program director, emphasized the critical nature of the research, stating, “For those people that do develop gambling disorder, over 20% will actually attempt suicide. So, I say I am coming to work every day to save lives. But in addition to that, over 50% will actually commit a gambling-related crime.”