AGA takes part in panel to speak on responsible gaming initiatives

Nevada Rep. Dina Titus, Washington Commanders Co-Owner Mark Ein and DraftKings CRGO Lori Kanali all spoke on the future of gaming in the US.
In an effort to combine the initiatives behind responsible gaming and speak on where the industry is heading, the American Gaming Association (AGA), DraftKings, MGM National Harbor and others took part in a live panel on September 19.
Nevada Rep. Dina Titus and Washington Commanders Co-Owner Mark Ein both took part in the discussion, which also included DraftKings CRGO Lori Kalani, MGM National Harbor President and CEO Melonie Johnson and AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
“It is an important time in the gaming industry to showcase our commitment to responsible gaming as operators and businesses cannot be successful without instilling a customers-first approach,” Miller said.
“Two-thirds of all American adults can legally place wagers on sports in the country and the industry only continues to grow exponentially each year since it was legalized in 2018.”
Kalani was asked how DraftKings is helping its consumers play responsibly and what initiatives the operator is taking to practice responsible gaming. In her response, Kalani detailed DraftKings’ new My Stat sheet, which helps customers keep track of their spending and betting data, having said, “Our main goal at DraftKings is to develop responsible gaming habits for our users.
“We believe that the data incorporated in the My Stat sheet, as well as our responsible gaming center, will help users develop healthier habits and play in a responsible manner. We’re seeing a 10x rate in which these resources are being interacted with and the feedback from our consumer base has been all positive.”
Johnson spoke on how MGM National Harbor is assisting its employees in forming responsible gaming ideals, as the property trained 500 workers to become on-site responsible gaming advisors.
“We take a more holistic approach to responsible gaming in that we desire to help any customer dealing with an issue personally. Our new Game Sense resource, purchased from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, utilizes responsible gaming initiatives to ensure our guests are maintaining a positive experience,” Johnson said.
“If it is not fun, you shouldn’t play. That is what we believe and we even go as far as if someone were to self-exclude themselves, we would refrain from adding them to our mailing list, offering casino credits and promotions as well as exempt them from all properties if they so choose.”
On September 12, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced a new proposal, the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act (SAFE Bet) in hopes of creating a nationwide ban on sports betting.
The act would force the 38 states where sports wagering has already been legalized to go through a new application process with the US Justice Department. The US Attorney General would then approve or reject applications, with approvals only lasting for a three-year period.
Rep. Titus stated she believes the legislation is a “bad idea” and that the longer gaming can be regulated by state and local lawmakers instead of by federal officials, the better.
Having also been asked about potential smoking bans in casinos such as what is being pushed in New Jersey, Rep. Titus spoke on she believes the filter systems in almost all properties, especially those in Nevada, have helped to create a smoke-free environment anyway.
She challenged any person supporting the smoking ban to enter a new Las Vegas property and find a smoking atmosphere, as even the slot terminals in most casinos contain a filter system to clear out the “bad air.”
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