Welcome To Responsible Gaming 2.0

There are increasing signs that the responsible gambling sector is at a crossroads, as more and more voices push back against the status quo.

Responsible gambling has evolved from a compliance formality into a pivotal issue for the sector's expansion. Given the current zeitgeist caused by the rapid expansion of sports betting and the ensuing hangover, there is an increasing awareness of and demand for protective measures.

But many, including myself, are left wondering: Are the current efforts having an impact?

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The Innovation Group’s Brian Wyman wrote in his Field Notes from ICE that there is growing tension between the innovation and protection camps:

“Responsible gaming has moved from a compliance checkbox to a make-or-break issue for industry expansion. Recent studies showing increased rates of gambling disorder in online environments are giving serious heartburn to regulators.”

Wyman also pointed to the recent “shake-up at the National Council on Problem Gambling,” which he believes “adds to the go-forward uncertainty in how this will be addressed.”

“While operators point to sophisticated player monitoring tools and intervention capabilities unique to the digital space, skeptics question whether technological solutions can offset increased accessibility. This tension between innovation and protection is increasingly shaping the regulatory and legislative landscape, particularly for U.S. states weighing expansion into iGaming.”

Having extensively written about responsible and problem gambling policies, I'll draw from my previous insights in this column.

What I’ve discovered over time is that there are three schools of thought when it comes to the current responsible gambling landscape:

• School of Thought #1: We are on the right path and just need more (funding).

• School of Thought #2: Dismantle and rebuild. It’s broken beyond repair.

• School of Thought #3: Be willing to take risks and bring in outside perspectives.

Unless you are in the first or second camp, School of Thought #3 is the clearly correct answer. So why haven’t the industry and responsible gambling groups adopted that strategy? The answer is simple: Gatekeepers. The other two camps are the current gatekeepers, and they guard the gates with extreme vigilance.

The Maintain the Status Quo (with more funding) Crowd

In my opinion, the current approach is an excellent example of “necessary but not sufficient.” After fighting for years to get some of these policies enacted, advocates have finally prevailed. But rather than moving on to the next, more consequential fight, they want to replay the previous fight and try to win by a more significant margin.

As I wrote in June 2024:

“Look at any RG campaign of the past few years and the only noticeable difference from older campaigns is that they cost more money. But we’re supposed to believe they will deliver different results. It’s time for a new approach—an approach that requires breaking through the bubble the industry has encased itself in.”

I went on to say:

“The saying, when you only have a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail, is very on point for the current discussion around responsible and problem gambling.

“The result is far too many gatekeepers who believe that what resonates inside their bubble is the answer; no other proof is needed… They are holding their hammers and looking for nails. And to be fair, there is no shortage of nails. We live in a country of 350 million people, so every week, there is some new RG mishap or problem gambling story to tell.”

And the results are falling prey to the law of diminishing returns. As I wrote in September 2023:

“Advocates have racked up many wins post-PASPA repeal, and suddenly, the common ground only exists under their feet. The conversations have turned into demands and shaming operators for following the rules and regulations RG-PG advocates feel don’t go far enough.

“After years of being treated like Monsieur Coquenard’s clerks, they are now a Porthos-like guest of honor. And like the gluttonous musketeer, they are never satisfied and constantly ask for more.

“Every study concludes with a note that more studies are required. Every bit of funding is called a first step. Every new policy (no matter how ridiculous) is lauded. Every talking point delivered is instantly adopted and shared wide and far. Every transgression is a sign of an underlying and more pervasive problem. Every (overly expensive) training requires, you guessed it, another training.

“And honestly, what have we learned? What measurable progress has been made in reducing harm? Is anyone even measuring?”

There’s still room for improvement on “safe” policies (deposit limits, self-exclusion, and so on). Still, to officially enter the RG 2.0 era, we must bring in new perspectives and take some chances on different RG and PG policies. The “we just need more” crowd needs to slide into the passenger seat.