Seven of North America's largest operators have joined together to launch the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) in a bid to promote responsible gaming (RG).
ROGA is aiming to promote best RG practices among the industry. BetMGM, Bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Penn Entertainment are all collaborating.
According to the launch announcement, the companies involved represent over 85% of the legalised online sports betting and igaming industry in the US. They have pledged more than $20m (£15.8m/€18.5m) to support ROGA’s objectives over the first year of its existence.
Dr Jennifer Shatley will serve as ROGA’s executive director, tapping into her 25 years of experience within the industry and extensive work as an RG executive to facilitate widespread education on the topic.
Shatley’s work with ROGA will take place alongside her role as president of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, as well as her position as a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Shatley said: “I am humbled, honoured and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalised mobile gaming.
“By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming.”
ROGA’s five key objectives
ROGA outlined five core aims that will help it towards its mission of promoting RG education.
The first of ROGA’s objectives is to promote research. This will involve advocating and funding independent research on the effectiveness of RG tools, as well as their impact.
ROGA will look to promote best practices for RG, encouraging companies to utilise them. Another goal is to raise awareness of the problem of irresponsible gambling and drive appropriate advertising of gambling.
ROGA will also bid to create an independent data clearinghouse, in coordination with member companies, to help with information sharing to protect customers.
The final target of ROGA will be to establish an independent certification programme. This will evaluate member companies’ RG efforts, while providing operators with an objective assessment of their RG procedures.
