Disclaimer: Shelley White is the chief executive officer at Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).
Online gambling is now possible for players. They can play at any casino or place a wager online. This access, along with the new technological advancements, comes with risks. Are traditional concepts of responsible gambling and player protection in need of a rethink? In a world where gambling has become so commonplace, how can we encourage responsible gambling?
How? Collaboration and a shared goal to create a sustainable industry is the first step. Partnerships between stakeholders in the industry are essential to speed up the adoption and implementation a safer gambling market.
This partnership is evident in the recently established regulated online market in Ontario Canada. The government and the industry have worked together to achieve a shared vision for player protection. This has led to a safety net which ensures that both platform and consumer safeguards are in place to support safer play.
Platform Safety
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC’s RG Check accreditation program was integrated into the licensing agreement to allow new operators to enter the regulated market. This recognition of the need for a strong regulatory framework for online gaming mirrors the established foundation for land-based betting led to the incorporation of the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check accreditation program. This safety feature ensures that all operators are treated equally and that responsible gambling is maintained at the highest possible level. This third-party assessment helps ensure that platform safeguards are integrated into the platform and gives players confidence that responsible gambling has been included in the experience.
How to manage the advertising influx
Undoubtedly, the launch of regulated markets has resulted in an increase in gambling marketing and advertising through all media channels. The media and broadcasting communities in Ontario understood the need to balance advertising. This was because gambling advertising would dominate media channels as the market established itself. RGC and the broadcasting community partnered to create a public service advertisement that educated the public about online gambling and sports betting. The advertisement will also be run for one year in the media inventory.
Partnerships such as these from both traditional and new stakeholders are what propel responsible gambling to new heights. Stakeholders can work together to address both the existing and future threats to player protection. It is not just the responsibility of regulators and operators to bring about meaningful changes. We can harness our knowledge and foster a collaborative spirit to encourage innovation and learning that promotes responsible gambling and create a global industry that is sustainable.
