Sportsbooks Join Forces For New Responsible Online Gaming Association

Seven of the largest online sports betting operators in the U.S. have joined forces to form the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA). ROGA consists of BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and PENN Entertainment. This association aims to “promote a new industry-wide best practices charter” regarding responsible gaming.

ROGA Moves To Improve Responsible Gaming Efforts

ROGA is an independent trade association that demonstrates the commitment of sports betting operators to promoting responsible gaming. Operators have pledged more than $20 million for year one of ROGA’s efforts. ROGA will be run by Dr. Jennifer Shatley, who has more than 25 years of experience in responsible gaming.

“I am humbled, honored, and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming,” said Dr. Jennifer Shatley, responsible gaming executive. “Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness.”

ROGA officially launches today and will be working to push responsible gaming through multiple angles. The association is targeting specific focuses going forward to reach these goals. ROGA wants to see the most meaningful impact of pushing responsible gaming education industry-wide.

Responsible Online Gaming Association Pillars

In order to operate with a specific purpose, initiatives will be centered around what they describe as “key pillars of focus.” The newly formed association describes each pillar as follows:

• Research – ROGA will advocate for and fund independent research into gaming-related issues, such as the effectiveness of RG measures and the impact of RG measures aimed at promoting sustainable play.
• Promoting Responsible Gaming Best Practices – ROGA will encourage and advocate for the application of responsible gaming best practices that can be utilized across the industry.
• Consumer and Industry Responsible Gaming Education and Awareness – ROGA will serve as a vehicle to drive both consumer and industry-responsible gaming education and awareness and encourage responsible advertising and marketing practices within the industry.
• Independent Data Clearinghouse – In close coordination with member companies, ROGA aims to create, via an independent clearinghouse, a database that will facilitate information sharing — allowing a mechanism for industry-wide protection of consumers.
• Independent Certification Program – ROGA will establish an independent certification program to assess members’ responsible gaming efforts, providing operators with an objective, independent evaluation of their responsible gaming policies and procedures.

With the pillars set, responsible gaming efforts are expected to bring true improvement in the industry. Academic research and consumer education will be at the forefront of the association’s plans going forward.

RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING TIPS FOR SPORTS BETTORS

If you like to bet on sports, either at an online sportsbook or in person at a retail location, what follows is a list of tips to help ensure you are gambling responsibly. 

• Always keep a record of how much you bet on sports
• Set limits on how much you wager on sports
• Keep a separate “bankroll” for sports betting that entirely consists of discretionary funds earmarked for entertainment or non-essentials.
• Don’t bet on sports with money you need to pay bills (e.g., mortgage payments, rent, food, gas, etc.).
• Never borrow money from others with which to make sports bets.
• Try not to bet on sports when you are feeling stressed, tired or anxious. Don’t let emotions dictate your betting decisions.
• Avoid betting on sports when you are intoxicated and not thinking clearly.
• When you win a sports wager, don’t foolishly “let it ride” and make an ill-informed wager with your winnings. Also, don’t let a win cause you to start betting higher amounts than exceed what you are comfortable wagering.
• When you lose a sports wager, don’t foolishly “chase your losses” and make desperate bets to try to get back what you lost.