Seven major sports betting companies in the United States have announced the formation of a new trade group named the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA).
BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment, collectively representing over 85% of the legal online sports betting and iGaming market in the U.S., disclosed this development on Wednesday, Investopedia reported.
Pooling resources, the consortium has committed a minimum of $20 million towards funding ROGA’s initiatives. The primary objective of this association is to advance responsible online gaming practices and tackle issues related to problem gambling, particularly amid the expanding legalization and growth of the sports betting industry.
ROGA’s endeavors will encompass fostering both consumer and industry awareness through education initiatives. Additionally, the group aims to finance research endeavors assessing the efficacy of responsible gaming policies. The member companies have also pledged to collaborate in sharing data to establish a comprehensive database aimed at safeguarding consumers.
“By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” ROGA Executive Director and Nevada Council on Problem Gambling President Dr. Jennifer Shatley said in a release.
Shatley, leveraging her extensive 25-year experience in the industry and role as an RG executive, will continue her duties as President of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and as a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Outlined within ROGA’s framework are five core objectives aimed at promoting responsible gaming education. These include advocating and funding independent research on RG tool effectiveness, promoting best practices for RG among companies, raising awareness about irresponsible gambling, establishing an independent data clearinghouse for information sharing, and implementing an independent certification program to evaluate member companies’ RG efforts objectively.
The burgeoning sports betting industry has faced increased scrutiny regarding its impact on sports leagues and fans. Recent incidents involving high-profile individuals, such as allegations against a Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter, underscore the need for robust measures to address problem gambling. Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s revelation of receiving threats from gamblers further underscores the urgency of this issue.
With sports betting either legalized or in progress across much of the nation, the National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that approximately 2.5 million Americans suffer from severe gambling problems, while an additional 5 to 8 million individuals are classified as having mild to moderate gambling issues.