b'2020 IMPACT REPORTMGM host referred top-tier playerfor problem gaming help State House News Service|March 28, 2019As problem gambling awareness month draws to a close, a longtime responsible gaming advisor who works with the Gaming Commission said Massachusettss efforts to educate players are working and having an influence on the casino industry.Amy Gabrila, a senior advisor with the commissions GameSense program, told regulators Thursday that a recent interaction with an executive host from MGM Springfieldwhose job is to cater to high rollers and to cultivate regular playersmoved her to tears.She said she recently led a grueling training session on responsible gaming and the resources GameSense makes available to all players with MGM Springfield officials, including this particular executive host. Shortly after the session, the executive host referred a clienta top-tier playerto Gabrila for assistance with potentially problematic gambling.Honestly, I cried, Gabrila told the Gaming Commission. Never in my 22 years in this business would I have ever believed that an executive hosta guy who lives off getting people to play, thats his businesswas willing to drop off one of his best accounts to me because he felt it was the right thing to do.THE FACT IS THAT WE ARE NOW IN THIS SPACE WHERE WERE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE OF RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING IN THE INDUSTRY FROM THE INSIDE OUT.Amy GabrilaSenior Advisor,The commission adopted GameSense as its comprehensive responsibleGameSensegaming strategy, and the program includes information centers in each of the states gaming facilities and advisors like Gabrila whose interventions range from casual conversations about things like betting odds to morein-depth assistance.Gabrila said the states efforts to promote responsible gaming have rubbed off on staff at MGM Springfield, which opened in August. She said 10 of the last 15 people who have added themselves to the states voluntary gaming exclusion list did so after an MGM Springfield staff member referred them to GameSense.The fact is that we are now in this space where were changing the narrative of responsible gambling in the industry from the inside out, Gabrila said.She added, It blows my mind Its something I never thought would happen.21'