AMERICAN GAMING ASSOCIATION
Advancing RG through RGEM
Reflections on Responsible Gaming Education Month 2024
BY JOE MALONEY
Each September , the American Gaming Association ( AGA ), our members , and the broader gaming community celebrate Responsible Gaming Education Month ( RGEM ) by highlighting and advancing our year-round responsible gaming education efforts .
As we reflect on RGEM 2024 , it ’ s important to measure the progress we are making in order to see where we must go . AGA ’ s annual American Attitudes consumer survey findings should give us confidence that we are on the right path . This year , our research shows :
• 75 percent of Americans believe the gaming industry behaves responsibly in the communities where it operates , a new high .
• 65 percent of Americans now say the gaming industry is committed to encouraging responsible gaming and combating problem gambling — a notable rise from 55 percent last year .
• 76 percent of Americans are familiar with at least one responsible gaming resource , an increase from 65 percent in 2022 .
And importantly , this sentiment is even stronger with those that engage with our industry the most , with 81 percent of physical casino players and 88 percent of sports bettors agreeing the industry is committed to encouraging responsible gaming and combating problem gambling , up from 70 percent and 78 percent respectively in 2023 .
What these numbers show is a clear trend : as gaming expands to new markets and audiences , Americans increasingly see that our commitment to responsibility is real . But as the industry grows , our responsibility efforts must keep pace — and that is what RGEM is all about .
This year , RGEM provided an important opportunity to strengthen the future of responsible gaming by highlighting a number of themes .
SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE BETTING FOR CUSTOMERS The gaming industry provides ongoing education and self-limiting tools to customers to encourage them to play responsibly . Legal operators also invest heavily in developing data-driven insights that support risk detection and intervention strategies . As technology like AI evolves in these areas , it is critical that we continue to harness these advancements to promote responsible play and guard against risky behavior .
EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES ON THE FRONT LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY Through ongoing , research-based training , it is essential to empower employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to promote responsible gaming for players . Promoting and educating the public about responsible gaming is a responsibility shared by the whole gaming industry , from the dedicated employees on gaming floors to the highest levels of executive leadership .
ENSURING PLAYER SAFETY : THE BENEFITS OF LEGAL , REGULATED GAMING Providing a legal gaming marketplace protects consumers from the illegal and unregulated market , where there are zero consumer protections , no guarantees of fair play , and no recourse if an operator disappears with a customer ’ s money . Illegal and unregulated operators also lack sufficient oversight and do not require age verification . And further , the legal gaming industry invests hundreds of millions of dollars in responsible gaming initiatives while the illegal market makes no such investments . Building a safe gaming environment also means combating illegal operators and educating consumers on their dangers .
What these numbers show is a clear trend : as gaming expands to new markets and audiences , Americans increasingly see that our commitment to responsibility is real . But as the industry grows , our responsibility efforts must keep pace — and that is what RGEM is all about .
The modern gaming industry is increasingly investing in player education , implementing technology , and funding research and resources to enhance responsible gaming . These collaborative efforts all work together to strengthen customer safety and our industry at large .
We applaud the collaborative efforts of the gaming industry throughout September and look forward to seeing how the industry continues to advance responsible gaming education as we look toward the future .
To learn more about the responsibility efforts of AGA and our members , visit americangaming . org / rg .
Joe Maloney is senior vice president , strategic communications for the American Gaming Association .
16 Global Gaming Business OCTOBER 2024