RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
Conceptualizing a strong, operator- led responsible gambling program BILL PASCRELL ARGUES THAT A STRONG COMMITMENT TO SHARED INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO MEDIA AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS CAN HELP U.S. OPERATORS AVOID THE FATES OF THEIR EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS
Defining responsible gambling There is perhaps no educational institution more respected by the gaming industry than the Univers i ty of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute. Their definition of responsible gambling 2 is simple: it means “taking breaks, not using gambling as a source of income, only gambling with money that you can afford to lose, and setting limits for yourself.” In short, responsible gambling is “using gambling for fun and entertainment’s sake,” not as a source of income. The definition is simple, but it can obscure an important truth: the onus is on gambling operators, not bettors, to ensure responsible gambling is achievable and accessible. Operators are the very entities that facilitate gambling, and as such, they play the largest role in ensuring bettors’ safety. With that in mind, what does a strong, operator-led responsible gambling program look like?
Anyone who has been working in the gambling industry for more than a month has likely heard the phrase “responsible gambling” more times than they can count. The concept has become referred to in so many different situations, for so many different purposes, that it can be difficult to pin down the definition of what it means to gamble responsibly. The U.S. gambling industry is more culturally and economically significant than ever before. 36 states have legal sports betting markets 1 ; U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $4.89 billion in August, a new record for the month; and August marked the 18th consecutive month with positive year-over- year gaming revenue growth.
As gambling continues to surge, and as more Americans become drawn to placing bets, it will become increasingly important for the industry to practically define responsible gambling, incorporate it into every aspect of their operations, and protect their customers. For the very survival of the U.S. industry, nothing is more important than getting this right. 1 https://www.americangaming.org/research/state-gaming-map/ 2 https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/what-responsible-gambling-interview-jennifer-shatley
PAGE 50
IMGL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2023
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker