RG IN THE USA

Which states have taken the most tangible actions toward achieving responsible gaming (RG)?

Minnesota

A Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the ‘open-all’ feature on electronic pull-tab casino games was improperly allowed and would be illegalized in the future. It made this decision due to Tribal protest, who complained this feature was too similar to the mechanics of a slot machine, over which they have a monopoly in the Gopher State. It was argued these pull-tab casino games broke RG guidelines due to their highly addictive nature.

NEVADA, MICHIGAN AND WEST VIRGINIA

All of these states failed to meet National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) standards relating to iGaming specifically. The NCPG reported that these states fell drastically short of meeting its Internet Responsible Gaming Standards, which are meant to provide players with sufficient RG gambling protections. This report came out at the end of January 2023.

New York

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. stepped up to promote Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March 2023. Indeed, Addabbo announced in October 2022 that NY would be implementing responsible gaming training for all lottery vendors. This training will focus on underage gambling, teaching operators how to properly verify gamblers' ages and recognize fake IDs.

Maine

Maine launched a virtual self-exclusion program, which will allow people to voluntarily exclude themselves from casino gambling, in March 2023. The state’s Gambling Control Board says that, before this virtual option was made available, people would have to go out to designated locations to fill out a form. With the virtual form, the process is made far more convenient.

Massachusetts

The Bay State launched a program formulated by regulators to prevent problem gambling, called ‘GameSense,’ in February 2023, ahead of the state’s launch of online sports betting on March 10. The RG program aims to inform gamblers about the realities of betting, including the low likelihood of winning money. It also educates them on practices such as self-exclusion.

The Delaware Council on Gaming Problems (DCGP) received a Best in Show award at the Healthcare Advertising Awards in August 2022, for its innovative ad campaign on problem gaming. The DCPG teamed up with the AB&C advertising agency to create ad spots in an attempt to educate and inform bettors.