Malkin establishes gambling research, policy project at ECU
Michelle L. Malkin, an assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at ECU, is leading a project that aims to study the evolving landscape of gambling in North Carolina and the United States as legalized gambling continues to grow.
The Gambling Research and Policy Initiative, operating within ECU’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, aspires to conduct research on gambling awareness, behavior, risks, gambling-related harms and diversion court programs for gambling treatment.
Funded by an initial $750,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, with the potential for ongoing funding, the GRPI has teamed up with ECU and Malkin, a respected figure in the field of gambling research. The collaboration is founded on ECU’s commitment to public health and outreach.
Malkin, whose expertise lies in gambling among marginalized communities, problem gambling and related crimes, intends to collaborate with state, institutional and industry stakeholders. The goal is to allocate resources where they are most needed and ensure policies and regulations are based on empirical evidence.
As gambling legalization continues to be discussed in North Carolina and other states, Malkin emphasized the importance of researching its impact on communities, families and individuals. Removing plans to add casinos and gambling terminals from the state budget allows for more in-depth discussions on the types of gambling to be legalized and the pace of expansion.
Malkin foresees more gambling legislation in 2024 as the state prepares for the launch of sports wagering. She believes slower expansion provides more opportunities for research to guide resource allocation effectively.
The GRPI’s research will focus on various underrepresented communities, including veterans, homeless individuals, young adults, students and marginalized communities, particularly in eastern North Carolina. Research will help identify areas that require education, outreach or problem gambling services.
Malkin emphasized the need for regulated gambling and the responsibility to invest in education, outreach and research. The goal is to provide more infrastructure for services such as mental health providers, inpatient and outpatient programs, and recovery meetings, particularly in eastern North Carolina where these resources are limited.
The GRPI’s research projects will encompass topics such as gambling prevalence and risk among LGBTQ+ individuals, college students’ gambling habits across the UNC System and the relationship between gambling legality and self-exclusion opportunities. The initiative also plans to establish a five-year plan for regular gambling prevalence studies.