The Better Gambling Forum (BGF) is a global initiative aimed at enhancing player protection and minimizing gambling-related harms through evidence-driven policies and responsible gambling practices. Established by the Brain Capital Alliance and developed in concert with international partners like the G7/G20, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum, the forum seeks to create a unified framework for regulators, operators, researchers, health professionals, and policymakers to bolster player protection across the globe.
Central to the forum's initiatives is the draft Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework, designed to offer a structured approach for preventing and addressing gambling harm. This framework aspires to become a global benchmark for responsible gambling policies, awareness campaigns, treatment services, and regulatory standards.
The BGF recently endorsed its UN report, which was the result of discussions initiated during the BGF Collaborative Event held in New York City in September 2025. Following this event, the draft report underwent two rounds of consultations, including a webinar in May 2026. The final report has now been released, set to redefine the Pillars framework for regulators, health officials, and governments.
Adopting a public health viewpoint, the Better Gambling Forum addresses gambling through both a public health and brain health lens. Instead of solely emphasizing individual accountability, the framework advocates for coordinated efforts across various sectors, such as government, industry, healthcare, research, and community organizations. The goal is to foster safer gambling environments while ensuring robust support systems for individuals facing gambling-related issues.
As some countries move toward banning certain types of gambling, the BGF acknowledges the ongoing consumer interest in gambling and aims to create regulations that minimize harm while allowing enjoyment of the activity.
The RG3P Framework and UN Report are structured around six core pillars:
1. **Education, Informed Choice, and Harm Prevention**: This pillar centers on providing players with essential information about gambling risks, helping them to make educated choices. It emphasizes preventive strategies that aim to avert harm before it arises, discussing how consumers understand and are influenced by this information.
2. **Risk Detection and Intervention**: The framework promotes the development of tools and technologies to identify harmful gambling behaviors early. By monitoring behavioral indicators and implementing timely interventions when risks are detected, the initiative supports at-risk individuals before gambling harm escalates.
3. **Support, Treatment, and Recovery**: Ensuring access to effective support services is crucial for player protection. The BGF stresses the importance of treatment programs, counseling services, and referral pathways to assist those affected by gambling harm, integrating these services into broader health pathways for comprehensive support.
4. **Gambling Environment, Product, and Marketing Standards**: This pillar emphasizes the importance of responsible design and operation of gambling products and venues, as well as ethical marketing practices. The focus is on minimizing harm through safe environments and ensuring that marketing does not target vulnerable individuals.
5. **Ethical Industry Practices and Accountability**: The BGF advocates for transparency and accountability in the gambling sector. Operators are encouraged to prioritize player welfare in their decision-making and to commit visibly to responsible gambling and consumer protection principles.
6. **Research, Evaluation, and Sustainable Funding**: Recognizing the need for ongoing research into gambling behaviors and effective interventions, this pillar supports sustainable funding models that guarantee long-term investment in prevention and treatment programs. It emphasizes the need to translate research findings into practical applications.
One of the significant challenges in responsible gambling policy is the inconsistency in standards across jurisdictions. While some markets have established comprehensive consumer protection laws, others still develop their frameworks. The Better Gambling Forum intends to bridge these gaps by providing a cohesive reference that can be adapted to local contexts while ensuring adherence to fundamental principles.
The BGF endeavors to enhance collaboration among regulators, operators, public health entities, treatment providers, and researchers. The main goal remains to diminish gambling-related harm and elevate player protections, fostering healthier gambling environments globally.
Looking ahead, the BGF's key focus in the coming months is to promote visibility for the Pillars and UN report during significant forums and events. It recently participated in a panel discussion at the UN General Assembly in mid-September and is set to hold events at SBC Lisbon, ICE Barcelona, and Davos in January 2027. Furthermore, the organization is actively seeking new members to enhance the collective knowledge around player protection.
This initiative represents a substantial move towards establishing internationally recognized standards for responsible gambling and player protection, integrating education, early intervention, treatment access, responsible product design, industry accountability, and continuous research. With a foundation rooted in scientific oversight and a public health perspective, the RG3P Framework offers a roadmap for jurisdictions and operators working to strengthen consumer protection and tackle gambling-related harms in an increasingly digital landscape.
