The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has released an assessment of the consumer protection regulations implemented by states, as laid out in its Internet Responsible Gaming Standards (IRGS).
The report, entitled 'US Online Responsible Gaming Regulations: An Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards,' reported that four of the seven states where iGaming is legal fall drastically short of the NCPG’s minimum responsible gaming standards.
Delaware, Michigan, West Virginia and Nevada all came short of ensuring providers gave players sufficient responsible gambling protections. New Jersey and Pennsylvania were the only two states to meet the majority of standards dictated by the IRGS, however, they still fell short of meeting all targets.
It is the purpose of the IRGS to set standards for consumers that ensure they can be confident whatever platform they use has the responsible gambling tools necessary to assist in playing safely. The IRGS is responsible for holding all operators to account regarding whether they implement these standards.
The NCPG initially developed the IRGS in 2012 to help facilitate discussions – among all stakeholders – on internet gambling, including operators, advocates, regulators and the public.
The IRGS have received regular updates to reflect the current state of online betting, and recent trends in consumer protection and technology. The standards contain specific recommendations, focusing on areas of policy, informed decision-making, staff training, assisting players, self-exclusion, advertising and promotion, game and site features and working with research.
NCPG experts say the most ethical and financially prudent response to problem gambling and addiction caused by internet gambling addiction is to create a comprehensive public health strategy. On a statewide basis, this should include prevention, education, treatment and research services.
The organization recommends that all states that allow iGaming abide by the IRGS to protect consumers from the adverse effects of gambling.
