PointsBet, a leading sportsbook for live betting, has partnered with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to launch a responsible gambling research initiative. Its objective will be to test how well operators, governments and stakeholders respond to evidence of problem gambling.
The initiative will set out scenarios that are fictitious, but nonetheless give PointsBet and NCPG insight into how effectively US gambling institutions implement responsible gaming policies.
PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken commented: “With the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting across the US, a commitment to responsible gambling today will have a direct impact on the future health of players and sustainability of the industry.
"Navigating how to identify and address problem gambling is a complex issue, and operators are regularly faced with how to best respond to customers who are exhibiting problematic gambling behavior. We’re aiming to find solutions for those impacted by problem gambling as well help inform operator decision making on this matter."
The survey will be anonymous and voluntary, designed by PointsBet, the NCPG and Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. It will be issued to attendees of the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling 2022.
The survey will showcase three fictional customers who demonstrate potentially problematic gambling behavior. Volunteers will take on the role of an operator and determine the best course of action for the customer, based on what they have observed.
NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte iterated that the industry’s safeguards must be regularly tested. He commented: “Online gambling operators are required to provide various responsible gambling tools. These tools should be regularly reviewed and evaluated by stakeholders to ensure they are adequately serving customers.
“Our hope is that the results of this survey will spark dialogue amongst operators as well as regulators, treatment providers, researchers, and problem gambling advocates to help inform the responsible gambling decisions that online gambling operators face."
