Several highly popular Virginia sportsbooks have joined forces to promote responsible online gaming in Virginia and nationwide. As a result, they have developed pioneering national responsible gaming standards under the guidance of the industry.
On September 22, Bally’s, BetMGM (which includes Entain and MGM Resorts International), DraftKings, and FanDuel collaborated to create the 12-point pledge and released its specifics.
“At BetMGM, our top priority is ensuring responsible gaming,” stated Joshua Jessen, Chief Legal Officer of BetMGM. He further emphasized our commitment by adding:
We take great pride in joining forces with our colleagues to embrace these significant principles. By implementing a uniform set of responsible gaming measures, we significantly reinforce our collective dedication to our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate.
The announcement was coordinated by the companies to align with the American Gaming Association’s initiative. September was officially designated as Responsible Gaming Education Month by the AGA.
The sportsbooks strive to ensure:
- Gambling age limits are strictly imposed.
- Operators provide customers with responsible gaming tools to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
- The support for problematic gaming includes a toll-free helpline dedicated to responsible gaming assistance.
- Additionally, the operators hold the belief that “socially responsible” advertisements can also be beneficial.
What are the 12 principles for responsible online gaming?
The first six
- Ensure appropriate measures are implemented to prevent the usage of their products by minors and individuals who are not eligible.
- Assist customers in making well-informed decisions regarding their gaming experience by providing accessible instructions on how to play and offering responsible gaming resources.
- Establish and advocate for a cohesive, countrywide helpline dedicated to promoting responsible gaming, accessible through a toll-free number.
- Gaming is already regulated by state and federal advertising standards, and the sportsbooks are committed to adhering to these guidelines. Additionally, they aim to refrain from featuring minors in their marketing content. Going forward, they will prioritize using actors, company representatives, and influencers who are suitable for the target audience’s age group in their future campaigns.
- In addition, customers will have greater accessibility to self-exclusion tools, including their financial information, account limits, and betting histories.
- As part of the agreement, the sportsbooks commit to abide by identical self-exclusion rules and regulations.
The next six
- Sportsbooks will also promote the practice of setting a budget among their customers. It is crucial for gamblers to only wager amounts that are within their financial means. It is important to avoid exceeding one’s limits when playing. The primary goal of gaming should be entertainment rather than solely chasing significant financial gains.
- It is important for customers to establish both time and financial boundaries for their gaming activities. It is equally crucial to adhere to these limits and avoid pursuing losses.
- The companies will collaborate extensively with policymakers, seeking guidance and input from academic experts, researchers, organizations specializing in problem gaming treatment, advocacy groups, and strategic partners.
- Advocate for financial support towards research focused on evidence-based problem and responsible gaming.
- Employees should receive responsible gaming training upon being hired and should also receive regular updates to their training.
- Continue to prioritize the enhancement of responsible gaming initiatives.
Responsible online gaming principles are ‘an important milestone’
With gambling reaching unprecedented levels of promotion and integration into society, it becomes imperative to establish new rules and regulations to prioritize the well-being of those engaging in wagering activities. Martin Lycka, the Entain Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, emphasized the need for such measures.
The establishment of these principles signifies a significant achievement. I am thrilled to see other prominent operators joining us in our dedication to promoting responsible gaming in the rapidly expanding U.S. markets.
Lycka is hopeful that additional operators will join the endeavor.
We possess the necessary research, data, and partners to establish a highly effective nationwide code of responsible gaming principles. We sincerely hope that both our industry and state regulators will collaborate with us to promote these principles. Our valued patrons truly deserve nothing less.
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