The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has formed an advisory committee that it says will play an important role in its mission to drive evidence-based responsible gaming best practices for the U.S. gaming industry.
ROGA is an independent trade association formed earlier this year. It consists of eight major U.S. online gaming companies: Bally’s, bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and PENN Entertainment.
The newly formed advisory committee is made up of members selected based on their outstanding achievements, strong reputation and experience in the responsible gaming field.
The committee will advise members and the wider industry and provide insight on topics such as industry and regulatory concerns, best practices, consumer behavior, research developments and the impact of new and existing technology. It will provide vital insight as ROGA develops its priority initiatives, including the creation of an independent data clearinghouse and certification program.
The inaugural members of the advisory committee are:
- David Rebuck, Former Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Cathy Judd-Stein, Former Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Dr. James Whelan, Executive Director of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research (TIGER) and Clinical Psychologist at The Gambling Clinic
- Dr. Kahlil Philander, Assistant Professor at the School of Hospitality Business Management at WA State University
“In a world of constant change where technology and gaming evolve at a fast pace, we will continue to embrace innovation and growth, while addressing challenges of the industry,” said ROGA Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Shatley in a statement.
“At ROGA, we are moving in the right direction thanks to the vision of our members. We are delighted to welcome the new advisory committee as we set an agenda to be a constructive resource for regulatory bodies, operators, and the larger responsible gaming ecosystem, providing evidence-based research and recommendations and helping to build collaborations that promote responsible gaming.”
ROGA has already begun to implement initiatives and programs in the U.S., including a National College Education Campaign aimed specifically at supplying college-aged people with resources, tools and support around gambling. The campaign also aims to provide a deeper education on how gambling impacts other areas of life, such as financial literacy.
