The Better Gambling Forum (BGF) is a global initiative aimed at enhancing player protection and mitigating gambling-related harm through data-driven policies and responsible gambling practices.
Launched by the Brain Capital Alliance, the forum has garnered support from various international stakeholders, including the G7/G20, United Nations, and the World Economic Forum. Its mission is to create a unified framework for regulators, operators, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to improve player protection standards worldwide.
Central to the BGF's efforts is the draft Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework, which outlines a structured approach to preventing and addressing gambling harm. This framework aspires to become a global benchmark for responsible gambling policies, awareness campaigns, treatment services, and regulatory standards, assisting both emerging and established gambling markets in adopting player protection measures.
Recently, the BGF approved its UN report, the result of discussions that began during a collaborative event in New York City in September 2025. The draft report underwent two consultations, including a webinar held in May 2026, before its final publication, which is set to reshape the Pillars framework for regulators, health officials, and governments.
The BGF approaches gambling through both public health and brain health perspectives, promoting coordinated actions across various sectors such as government, industry, healthcare, research, and community organizations. The goal is to create safer gambling environments while providing support services to those affected by gambling-related issues.
While some nations look to ban specific forms of gambling, the BGF acknowledges that people continue to engage in gambling activities. Therefore, it supports regulation that minimizes harm while allowing consumers to enjoy gambling responsibly.
The RG3P Framework and UN report are structured around six core pillars:
1. **Education, Informed Choice, and Harm Prevention**: This pillar emphasizes providing players with comprehensive information about gambling risks, enabling informed decisions, and implementing prevention strategies to reduce harm before it occurs.
2. **Risk Detection and Intervention**: The framework advocates for the adoption of tools and technologies to identify harmful gambling patterns early, allowing for timely interventions to support at-risk individuals before significant harm manifests.
3. **Support, Treatment, and Recovery**: Access to effective support services is paramount. The BGF stresses the importance of treatment programs, counseling services, and recovery resources to assist individuals affected by gambling harm.
4. **Gambling Environment, Product, and Marketing Standards**: This pillar addresses the design and operation of gambling products and advertising practices, promoting standards that reduce risks, foster safer environments, and ensure responsible marketing that does not target vulnerable populations.
5. **Ethical Industry Practices and Accountability**: The BGF champions transparency and ethics within the gambling sector. It urges operators to prioritize player welfare in their decision-making and demonstrate commitment to consumer protection.
6. **Research, Evaluation, and Sustainable Funding**: Acknowledging the importance of continuous research in understanding gambling behavior and effective interventions, this pillar also supports stable funding models for prevention, treatment, and evaluation efforts.
One key challenge in responsible gambling policy is the inconsistency of standards across various jurisdictions. Some markets feature advanced consumer protection measures, while others are still developing their frameworks. The BGF aims to bridge these gaps by offering a flexible reference point that adapts to local conditions while maintaining consistent principles.
Through this shared framework, the forum seeks to foster collaboration among regulators, operators, health organizations, treatment providers, and researchers, all aimed at reducing gambling-related harm and bolstering player protections worldwide.
In the coming months, the BGF plans to enhance visibility of the Pillars and the UN report at major forums and events. It has recently participated in a panel discussion at the UN General Assembly in mid-September and will host events at SBC Lisbon, ICE in Barcelona, and Davos in January 2027.
Additionally, the organization is looking to recruit new members to expand expertise in player protection, supporting the Brain Capital Alliance's objective of fostering mental and health resilience through sound public policy.
This initiative represents a concerted effort to establish internationally recognized standards for responsible gambling and player protection, integrating education, early intervention, treatment access, responsible product design, industry accountability, and ongoing research. The BGF's framework, supported by scientific oversight and a public health viewpoint, provides a clear pathway for jurisdictions and operators striving to enhance consumer protection and confront gambling-related issues in a digital era.
