North America - Player Protection Hub

Opinion: Former NJ regulator on shifting the RG focus to the unregulated market

SBC AmericasSeptember 24, 20240380 views

Image: Jessica Yurinko Photography

Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360)is a leading global technology and consultancy firm specializing in comprehensive integrity and compliance solutions for the gaming industry, formed earlier this year by the merger of U.S. Integrity and Odds On Compliance. Asrticle author Eric Weiss is IC360’s Managing Director of North America and formerly spent 30 years with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

As we observe Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), it is an opportune time to recognize the notable achievements of the online casino and sports betting industry in promoting responsible gaming practices.

Since the inception of online casino gaming in 2013 and the advent of online sports betting in 2018, the regulated sector has shown a strong commitment to safeguarding at-risk individuals by providing access to essential resources and support.

Key initiatives include:

Equipping players with ongoing education and self-regulation tools.

U..

Several states fall short of player protection standards in NCPG report

SBC AmericasSeptember 20, 20240389 views

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is evaluating how regulated sports betting markets across the country protect consumers.

The NCPG has released a report, U.S. States’ Online Sports Betting Regulations: An Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards, providing an analysis of how regulated markets adhere to their laws and regulatory frameworks.

The report, prepared by Vixio Regulatory Intelligence, uses public information from states and their regulatory agencies. It does not include data on RG practices by operators.

“This report is the first time that state sports betting laws and regulations have been evaluated against the NCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards,” said Executive Director Keith Whyte. “With the widespread adoption of legalized sports betting, NCPG felt there was a need for a report comparing sports betting laws and regulations to the IRGS.”

The NCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards (IRGS) provide guidance in gami..

Regulation outpacing evidence base, according to CGA research

Steve HoareSeptember 19, 20240345 views

Regulatory policies around gambling advertising are evolving at a faster rate than the accompanying evidence base, according to new research from the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA). The CGA has teamed up with GP Consulting and Eilers & Krejcik to publish one of the most comprehensive research papers yet produced around gambling advertising and regulatory intervention.…

AGA releases new RG messaging evaluation tool

Steve HoareSeptember 11, 20240455 views

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has launched a new Responsible Gaming Intervention Effectiveness Scale to evaluate responsible gambling messages. This scale provides academics, industry members and others interested in positive play with a research-based tool they can use to evaluate responsible gaming messages and serves as a stepping-stone to further research on how to best…

Responsible Online Gaming Association creates college education campaign

SBC AmericasSeptember 10, 20240316 views

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has unveiled a new national college responsible gambling education campaign.

In partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health and the Toronto-based Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), ROGA will develop and implement a comprehensive, evidence-based program specifically tailored to the unique needs of university-aged students.

The initiative will leverage digital delivery tools to provide responsible gambling and financial literacy education to students across diverse campuses and demographics throughout the U.S.

ROGA is an independent trade association of leading gaming operators. Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley said in a release that while some programs focused on student-athletes already exist, “there are very few resources currently available to the broader university student population.”

“To fill that gap, ROGA is proud to be collaborating with leading organizations that bring diverse expertise and e..

Wynn Las Vegas forfeits $130m for unlicensed money transmitting allegations

CasinoBeatsSeptember 10, 20240322 views

Las Vegas casino Wynn Las Vegas (WLV), a subsidiary of Wynn Resorts, has forfeited $130m as part of a non-prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California over unlicensed money transmitting allegations.

According to a US Attorney’s Office statement, WLV forfeited $130,131,645 to “settle criminal allegations that it conspired with unlicensed money transmitting businesses worldwide to transfer funds for the financial benefit of the casino”.

It is also believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on admissions of criminal wrongdoing.

US Attorney Tara McGrath commented: “Casinos, like all businesses, will be held to account when they allow customers to evade US laws for the sake of profit.

“Federal oversight seeks to prevent illegal funds from tainting legitimate businesses, ensuring that casinos offer a clean, thriving, and safe entertainment option.”

Through the non-prosecution agreement, which a..

Bally’s lands three-year partnership with EPIC Global Solutions

SBC AmericasSeptember 5, 20240318 views

EPIC Global Solutions is partnering with one of America’s largest entertainment and gaming companies.

The London-based gambling harm consultancy has secured a three-year partnership with Bally’s to promote responsible gambling and create a safe and fair environment for players. The two entities will also work together to impact communities.

“Bally’s and EPIC Global Solutions are committed to setting new standards for responsible gaming with a three-year commitment,” said Bally’s CEO Robeson Reeves. “Together, we are creating safer and more enjoyable gaming environments through educating multiple partners in the gaming ecosystem, harnessing the power of EPIC’s lived experience approach in both the U.K. and the U.S.”

As part of the partnership, employees at Bally’s will be provided with training from EPIC that will help staff on casino floors and in customer service roles identify and protect customers who are impacted by gambling harm. Bally’s and EPIC will also create original socia..

FanDuel’s new ‘Trusted Voices’ program helps families discuss gambling

SBC AmericasSeptember 4, 20240289 views

FanDuel has launched a new program, Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting, to coincide with September’s Responsible Gaming Education Month.

Trusted Voices is designed to equip trusted adults such as parents, guardians and coaches with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, associated risks, how to recognize warning signs and where to go for support.

It is part of a new partnership between FanDuel and former NBA player and basketball coach Randy Livingston and his wife, sports agent Anita Smith. The operator notes that Livingston experienced experienced problem gambling himself. He and Smith have become the newest members of FanDuel’s RG Ambassador Program.

“As legal sports betting continues to become more accessible, I knew I wanted to use my experience to help families engage in proactive and informed conversations about gambling,” said Livingston. “It became apparent to me and Anita that FanDuel shares our goal of helping parents navigate these tough, bu..

Gambling harassment campaign for athletes launched in Ohio

SBC AmericasSeptember 3, 20240282 views

Ohio for Responsible Gambling is taking steps to protect student-athletes from gambling-related harm.

The initiative has launched More Than A Bet, a new campaign aimed at fostering a safe environment in sports as the online sports betting industry continues to grow.

“The mental toll of online harassment is unacceptable,” said Ohio Casino Control Commission Chairman Tom Stickrath. “By learning about the issue and supporting student-athletes, we can change the narrative.”

The campaign is geared toward student-athletes and coaches and provides resources on how to deal with gambling-related harassment. More Than A Bet also provides educational tools on gambling-related harm for counselors, team officials and campus faculty.

More Than a Bet has a section exclusively geared toward coaches that provides educational tools to combat online abuse toward student-athletes. It also provides users with the opportunity to take an anonymous quiz to gauge their risk for a gambling disorder.

Ohio f..

BetMGM to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month at NFL stadiums

SBC AmericasSeptember 3, 20240288 views

MGM Resorts International and its joint-venture operator BetMGM are linking up with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM 2024) in September.

The two companies will display GameSense messaging and resources around numerous NFL stadiums for the second year running. GameSense is an industry-leading responsible gaming program developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

GameSense messaging will be promoted prominently at nine NFL stadiums this summer:

Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)

Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos)

Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)

M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)

MetLife Stadium (New York Jets)

Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans)

State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)

“We’re excited to bring responsible gaming initiatives directly to fans in these NFL v..