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AGA Debuts the First Edition of its Responsible Gaming Education Month
By Jeff Osienya Sep 08, 2022 IndustryFor the first time ever, the American Gaming Association has extended its Responsible Gambling Education period to a month instead of a week. The campaign kicked off at the beginning of September with the publication of an updated set of guidelines.Last Thursday, the American Gaming Association (AGA) commenced its inaugural Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) by releasing a reissue of the Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide (RGSRG). Following the launch of the RGEW, Cait DeBaun, AGA’s VP, Strategic Communications & Responsibility, stated
Quote“While our members’ responsibility commitments go above and beyond what is required of them, this guide is a valuable resource for our industry to maintain its high standards of regulatory compliance in all facets of responsible gaming.”
Since 2019, when the last edition of the RGSRG was released, Virginia and Nebraska have legalized physical casino gambling, Michigan and Nebraska have legalized iGaming, and 16 states have legalized sportsbook betting. As explained by AGA, the Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide is a centralized compilation of statutes and regulations tackling responsible gaming in 34 states and the District of Colombia with land-based commercial casinos, sportsbook wagering, or iGaming from August 31, 2022.
From a Week-Long to a Month-Long Event
Henceforth, AGA’s Responsible Gambling Education period has been extended from one week to a month. Between September 1 and 10, AGA will focus on empowering their customers to play responsibly, and attendees will participate in activities that keep gambling safe and fun. This activity is vital because as gambling expands into new markets, such as sportsbook betting, AGA wants to ensure customer safety takes center stage in responsible gaming.
From September 11 to 17, gaming consumers will receive information on the difference between legal and illegal markets, responsible investments, and consumer protection. The casino gambling industry is one of the most regulated markets, and regulations are implemented to protect bettors, ensuring gaming is safe and responsible.
Additionally, each year the gaming industry invests money and time to train employees on skills essential to support bettors. In connection to the role of employees in the gaming industry, the theme for September 18 to 24 will tackle the essence of employees being on the front line for responsible gaming.
Finally, from September 25 to 30, AGA will focus on educating bettors on how technology such as website blockers, self-limit tools, and digital payments supports responsible gaming.
Further, the American Gaming Association has organized two webinars during this year’s RGEM. The Association will host the first event, The State of Responsibility & Player Protection, on September 15 at 2 pm ET. Nearly a week later, the Advancing Responsible Gaming through Collaboration and Technology webinar will take place on September 21 at 3 pm ET. In her Thursday statement, DeBaun added:
Quote“Our industry’s focus on responsibility has only grown with the expansion of legal gaming. RGEM 2022 provides an extended opportunity to highlight our industry’s responsible leadership while continuing to strengthen player and employee education. We are thrilled for the entire US gaming community to join us throughout September.”
According to its official statement, AGA also noted that its well-recognized ‘Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™’ safer gaming campaign will be the focal point of the RGEM. The Association pointed out that the operation will:
Quote“feature prominently during RGEM this year, bringing together leagues, teams, operators, and other sports betting stakeholders to educate consumers on responsible wagering as the legal sports betting market grows.”
Fubo Gaming Voices Support for AGA’s RGEM
Fubo Gaming, a subsidiary of FuboTV, announced its support for the RGEM organized by AGA. The gaming division of the live streaming service announced that it would incorporate responsible gaming messages inspired by AGA’s campaign slogan across all its social media accounts.
As part of its mission during the RGEM, Fubo Gaming will take its employees through an internal campaign equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to boost responsible gaming. For instance, the gaming company will provide refresher, safer gaming training to its employees.
On top of that, Fubo disclosed that they would run a responsible gaming educational campaign lasting a year. The goal is also to provide their customer base with instruments such as limits and self-exclusion tools to ensure they play safely. Reiterating the company’s resolve to foster safer gambling in the USA, Scott Butera, the President of Fubo Gaming, released a statement saying:
Quote“Fubo Gaming is proud to join the AGA in celebrating Responsible Gaming Education Month to amplify the importance of responsible gaming. We firmly believe social responsibility contributes to the best player experience. As professionals in the emerging sports wagering industry, it’s our responsibility to take a proactive approach toward responsible gaming initiatives, not only in September but throughout the year, to ensure long-term sustainability.”
PGA, A Pioneer of Responsible Gambling, Affirms its Support for RGEM
Golf provides excellent opportunities for betting, such as hole-by-hole wagering and in-play bets. That said, the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) has always been at the forefront of keeping golf betting fun and safe. In 2021, for example, PGA Tour players, tour officials, and caddies held a 45-minute webinar on responsible gaming and were quizzed at the end of the session.
A week ago, Professional Golfers’ Association released a promotional video showcasing AGA’s campaign slogan, ‘Sports Betting Starts With A Game Plan.’, ahead of the RGEM. PGA plans to keep the safer gaming drive running for the entire month of September in line with the RGEM. Scott Warfield, VP of gaming at PGA, stated:
Quote“The proper monitoring and education of a really large stakeholder ecosystem was vital. It’s one of those things you can never really be perfect. So, every year, we’re trying to add to that. We want to ensure we’re front and center sharing information. Sending them key messaging as part of this responsible gaming initiative that we’re doing. It’s one of those projects you never cross off as done, but we try to take it one day at a time and message accordingly. We think we can make a difference.”
MGM Resorts and BetMGM Pledge Also Joined the Campaign
MGM Resorts and BetMGM will partner with AGA during the 2022 Responsible Gaming Education Month. As a show of support for the AGA initiative, the two gaming trendsetters will focus on employee-responsible gaming training, community collaboration, and consumer knowledge.
Throughout September, MGM Resorts and BetMGM will provide responsible gaming tips on their social media accounts. In addition, the two companies will take part in AGA’s ‘Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™’ campaign. MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to provide responsible gaming education throughout the year by offering helpful information, resources, and tools on their websites and apps.
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