Seven of the biggest online gaming companies are teaming up to create a group that promotes responsible gambling. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Sharing information

Seven of the biggest online gaming companies are teaming up to create a group to promote responsible gambling.

Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), will consist of bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, Hard Rock Digital, and Penn Entertainment. For the first time, the seven companies will share information about problem gamblers that have been excluded.

the seven have promised more than $20m to fund ROGA

Accounting for over 85% of the legal online betting industry in the US, the seven have promised more than $20m to fund ROGA.

Around two million US adults suffer from a gambling problem, with a further five to eight million considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems. ROGA says it is committed to providing education, responsible best gaming practices, and advertising and marketing on gambling behaviors.

Jennifer Shatley, Executive Director of ROGA, said she was “incredibly excited to move this forward and to really do some impactful things…to really empower players with information.”

Curbing the “Wild West”

The introduction of ROGA comes as legal sports wagering spans 38 US states and Washington, DC.

concerned that the tactics sportsbooks use are often “predatory”

With the industry’s growth, many are concerned that the tactics sportsbooks use are often “predatory” as they try to hook a new generation of customers. Because of this, a new federal bill would significantly curtail the operations of online gambling operators in the US if it gains approval.

In March, New York Congressman Paul Tonko spoke about his plan to introduce the SAFE (Supporting Affordability and Fairness With Every) Bet Act to reign in what he called “a Wild West, largely unregulated environment.”

The bill proposes a credit card ban, affordability checks, and ad restrictions.

One conspicuous absence

Notably, Caesars Entertainment is not one of the members of ROGA.

In a statement, the company said that while they “applaud all efforts to ensure online gaming is both operated and marketed in a responsible manner,” they are “confident” in their Responsible Gaming approach.

Caesars said that it only caters to those who are 21 years old and older and doesn’t permit anyone under that age to gamble with them. This includes states such as Kentucky and Rhode Island where the legal gambling age is 18.