Leading operators unite with “landmark” responsible gaming pledge

Responsible concept
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Responsible gaming is at the forefront of a recent collaboration between some of the industry’s biggest names, forming a joint 12 point pledge to unite over a collective commitment to players’ safety when online gaming.

Six of the largest US operators in Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Entain, FanDuel and MGM Resorts International have come together to present 12 key principles in a bid to uphold responsible gaming. 

“Bally’s is proud to partner with all of the participating operators. We are committed to the 12-point pledge and it’s Bally’s and the industry’s responsibility to prevent underage gaming and provide education and safeguards,” said Robeson Reeves, President of Interactive at Bally’s Corporation.

The coalition comes during the American Gaming Association’s inaugural designated Responsible Gaming Education Month with a pledge that derives from four key attributes, with a declaration of commitment to legal markets, responsible gaming, entertaining customers and providing tools for safety and support.

“Essential to promoting safer play is a framework for operators to guide them in responsible gaming,” commented Chrissy Thurmond, Senior Director of Responsible Gaming at DraftKings.

“DraftKings is pleased to be a part of this landmark effort that has culminated in the adoption of 12 responsible gaming principles across the participating operators – and that will benefit consumers around the United States.”

The 12 principles include an aim to take active steps in preventing underage and excluded individuals from participating in any form of gaming. 

The collaboration will also commit to providing customers with informed choices about gaming through the provision of responsible gaming tools, with all entities agreeing to conduct research to support this specific pledge.

Joshua Jessen, Chief Legal Officer at BetMGM, explained: “Responsible gaming is at the forefront of everything we do at BetMGM. While we operate in a highly competitive industry, we are proud to stand together with our colleagues to adopt these important principles. 

Creating a consistent standard of responsible gaming measures across the board greatly strengthens our collective commitment to our customers, employees, and the communities where we operate. We look forward to building on our work into the future.”

Additional declarations set out “a shared responsibility approach to addressing problem gaming” with a commitment “to working with policy makers, academic experts and researchers, problem gaming treatment organisations, advocacy groups and partners” to promote responsible gaming and address problem gaming.

“These principles mark an important milestone, and I am delighted other leading operators have joined us in this commitment to responsible gaming in the rapidly growing US markets, as responsibility sits at the heart of our business. It’s truly a first for this market and a significant step for addressing problem gaming on a consistent basis,” added Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice-president for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling.

“We have the research, the data, the partners – all the tools to establish an effective nationwide code of responsible gaming principles. And we hope our industry and state regulators will join us in advancing these principles. Our patrons deserve it.”