Six online gambling companies to set industry RG standards
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As the American gambling industry is undergoing a tremendous growth period, there are some growing pains to go along with it. This is why six of the biggest online gambling companies in North America and the United States have agreed to create a new set of industry-led responsible gambling standards that will guarantee the industry’s sustainability and longevity.
The pledge outlined by the six companies, to wit Bally’s Corporation, DraftKings, Entain, MGMResortsInternational, FanDuel, and BetMGM, includes 12 points and it’s a clear-cut commitment to responsible gambling. The principles adopted through this pledge are the principles that the companies hope will be seen as industry benchmarks.
The companies are focusing on consumer protection. One of the principles states that all online gambling activities should be a form of entertainment. Participants strive to instill a responsible gambling culture throughout the consumer experience while also ensuring that all participants are adequately protected through the necessary tools and measures.
The companies also acknowledge that there are some players who need further guidance and support in order to ensure that these consumers stay safe and out of harm’s way. Operators commit to ensuring that customers are always informed about and understand the available responsible gambling tools that they can seek.
Participants in this new 12-point program, though, want to also make sure that they succeed. This is why they call for and urge closer cooperation with academic experts, researchers, treatmentorganizations, advocacy groups, partners, and lawmakers. In order to succeed in offering the highest level of player protection possible, the companies hope to see a committed effort by all partners.
Bally’s is proud to partner with all of the participating operators," said Bally’s Corporation President of Interactive RobesonReeves. The news was welcomed similarly by BetMGM Chief Legal Officer JessenJoshua who said that it’s important that all operators adopt "these important principles." The idea is to create a consistent standard for responsible gambling despite the individual rivalries shared between companies.
DraftKings Senior Director of Responsible Gaming Chrissy Thurmond said that it was essential to promote safer play in a way that all operators can understand and can in turn use to guide players to responsible gaming.
These pledges will not be an end in themselves, however, as one of the commitments specifically states that all participating operators will need to continue to evaluate and monitor all responsible gambling programs and initiatives and improve when and where necessary. Such industry-led standards have been a welcome sign by players and even lawmakers. Casino Guru announced a Global Self-Exclusion Initiative this year, which can only work if operators are willing to participate and see the benefits of maintaining a high level of responsible gambling in the industry.
