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The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an association of leading online sportsbooks, has published a new set of guidelines for how operators should approach VIP programs.

ROGA noted that the evidence-based recommendations are intended to support its members’ existing VIP policies to strengthen responsible online gaming by helping players set their own boundaries.

ROGA was launched in March 2024 and comprises eight members: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, PENN Entertainment, bet365, Hard Rock Digital and Bally’s. The association noted those companies combine to account for 90% of the legal U.S. online gaming market by handle.

The member sportsbooks have all independently committed to implementing these guidelines “within a commercially reasonable timeframe.”

Review behavior, equip VIPs with knowledge and power

The organization noted that it has found that the most effective VIP programs combine proactive education, personalized engagement and periodic evaluation. ..

BetOnline received a new cease and desist letter from a state gaming regulator this week, marking the second letter the offshore operator has received in less than a month.

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) sent a cease and desist letter to BetOnline for allegedly operating an illegal offshore sportsbook in the state. The SWC considers BetOnline to be in violation of the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, which prohibits operators from accepting wagers from customers in the state without a license.

BetOnline has been ordered to shutter operations in Tennessee by June 16.

“Shuttering illegal sportsbooks will benefit the legalized market, our licensed operators and the public good in Tennessee, but illegal offshore sportsbooks are not going to go away easily,” said SWC Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas. “We envision a Tennessee where all sports wagers are legal, and we’re working closely with our network of law enforcement at the state and federal levels to make that vision a re..

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is continuing to invest in the development of initiatives to protect players from problem gambling.

The NCPG announced that it will be distributing $192,000 in grants between five organizations to support community-based problem gambling prevention. The council awarded the grants through its Agility Grant program, which provides financial support to nonprofits to develop and provide problem gambling prevention initiatives. The NCPG’s Agility Grant program, launched in 2022, is funded by the NFL Foundation and FanDuel.

“The NFL is proud to continue supporting the NCPG and the Agility Grants program, which provides critical funding to organizations leading innovative efforts aimed at preventing problem gambling,” said NFL SVP of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “We are pleased to see both new and returning grantees advancing creative approaches to education and early intervention, particularly for youth and young adults.”

The organiz..

The UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) is taking steps to understand the impact of machine learning and AI on America’s online gambling industry.

The IGI has launched AiR Hub, an AI-focused initiative for researching the impacts and risks of AI while also fostering collaboration between key stakeholders in the gambling industry. AiR Hub has launched under the direction of IGI Director of Research Kasra Ghaharian and gambling industry veteran and AiR Hub adjunct fellow Simo Dragicevic.

“UNLV’s International Gaming Institute has a long history of pioneering research in the gaming sector, and we are excited to launch AiR Hub as the next step in that journey,” said Ghaharian. “Our vision is to create tangible progress through collaborative, actionable research with engagement across a range of stakeholders, including regulators, academics, non-profit organizations, and industry.”

AiR Hub has debuted as gambling experts prepare to analyze the State of AI in Gaming, an industry-fir..

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has agreed to another multimillion-dollar settlement with a major Las Vegas casino and entertainment property.

Wynn Las Vegas reached a proposed $5.5 million stipulation for settlement with the NGCB for violating its own anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program. The casino agreed to a settlement after a disciplinary complaint was filed contemporaneously with the stipulation for settlement. The complaint detailed “unsuitable methods of operation” by Wynn Las Vegas related to facilitating improper international monetary transactions, allowing proxy betting and being tied to unregistered money transmitting businesses.

Wynn Las Vegas is set to be fined by the NGCB after reaching a non-prosecution agreement in 2024 with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

The non-prosecution agreement concerns the same AML violations by Wynn Las Vegas that resulted in the casino forfeiting $130 million to federal authorities to ..

EPIC Global Solutions has landed a deal to provide gambling harm awareness training to Underdog employees.

The gambling harm consultancy partnered with Underdog to host a series of workshops and training sessions to provide employees with the tools to identify problematic gambling behavior. Underdog has already leveraged EPIC’s expertise in gambling harm by hosting sessions led by EPIC staff. The sessions provided Underdog employees with training on communication practices and how to build healthy relationships with customers.

“We’re very pleased with the positive start to our working relationship with Underdog,” said EPIC VP of North America Teresa Fiore. “They have a deep understanding that responsible gaming practices must be at the core for any major operator, and it’s a constant and consistent process of learning and attentiveness.”

EPIC provided Underdog with training sessions that included consultant and former college basketball star Stevin “Hedake” Smith. The former Arizona..