Responsible Gambling Accreditation
As WLA members, our duties are not only to grow sales and returns to good causes but to facilitate responsible play. In 2006, the WLA adopted the Responsible Gaming Principles and a Responsible Gaming Framework aimed at protecting lottery players around the world. This effort and commitment ensures not only that our public is protected but also that the revenues are sustained for the public good. In this section you will find the Responsible Gaming Principles as well as all supporting documents for the Responsible Gaming Framework.
RGAB, the Responsible Gaming Accreditation Board. More information RGAB, the Responsible Gaming Accreditation Board, aims to minimise the impact of problem gambling by promoting a worldwide accreditation programme for the land based, remote and e-gambling industry, software providers and operators. The Responsible Gaming Independent Assessment. Submitting member lotteries will be certified to the WLA Responsible Gaming Framework (RGF) with the help of an independent assessment panel. This panel is comprised of a selection of international experts from the field of corporate social responsibility.
Principles
Doing the right thing for players and the broader community has made Corporate Social Responsibility, specifically the Responsible Gaming Principles and Framework, a priority for the World Lottery Association (WLA)
As state-controlled gaming operators, WLA members have always played a leadership role in addressing responsible gaming issues. In 2002, members asked the association to develop more specific requirements with respect to social responsibility in general and to responsible gaming in particular.
The response came in 2006 when the WLA formalized its practices in Corporate Social Responsibility by adopting Responsible Gaming Principles and a Responsible Gaming Framework aimed at protecting lottery players around the world.
This effort and commitment will ensure that our public is protected and revenues for the public good are sustained.
The Principles acknowledge that gaming operators play an important role in helping to prevent problem gambling, as do governments, regulators, treatment providers, researchers, community groups, and individuals who take part in games of chance.
By adopting the Principles, WLA members have 'committed their vigilance in making responsible gaming an integral part of their daily operations. This pledge of support includes the encouragement of research initiatives and striving to achieve an appropriate balance between revenue, entertainment and customer expectations.'
The seven Principles address areas of player protection, collaboration with other stakeholders, research, promotion, informed player choice, monitoring and reporting.
Responsible Gambling Resources
- DownloadNCPG’s Guidelines for Payment Processing
- DownloadNCPG’s Responsible Gaming Principles for Sports Gambling Legislation
- Download NCPG’s Resolution on the Legalization of Sports Gambling (Feb 2017)
- DownloadNCPG’s Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Guidelines Final December 4 2015
- DownloadNCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards
- DownloadNCPG Compliance Comparison Online Responsible Gaming Regulations Updated
- DownloadGRADE Social Game Consumer Protection Guidelines v3
- DownloadNCPG Affiliate Guide for Casino Employee Responsible Gaming Program March 2016
Guidelines for Payment Processing
Excessive spending on gambling, leading to significant financial harm, is a hallmark of gambling problems. Each type of payment—from cash to credit cards—has different structural characteristics that may impact problem gambling. Innovations in payments technology and changes in consumer behavior continue to change, shifting risk and protective factors as a result. Gambling operators, vendors, payment processors, financial institutions, regulators – and people who gamble – all have important roles to play in minimizing harm. These guidelines are based on an informed consumer choice model.
Read the full press release here.
Initiative: 1% for Responsible Gambling
Gambling affiliate BettingUSA.com, a licensed US online gambling affiliate, has pledged to donate one percent of its earnings to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in order to help minimize the harms that will likely occur through the expansion of gambling and sports betting in the US. Together the two organizations call on other affiliates in the legal US gambling space to match BettingUSA’s leadership by joining the 1% Initiative. “NCPG advocates for states to earmark 1% of gambling revenues to responsible gaming and problem gambling programs, and since most states fall well short of that target, we believe that it is in the best interests of the industry to contribute,” BettingUSA.com’s Steve Ruddock said. “BettingUSA.com is proud to spearhead this initiative alongside NCPG. We call on all gambling affiliates, and anyone else involved in the industry, to join us.” Read the full press release here.
Participants will receive a digital emblem to proudly display on their digital media. To join the initiative, contact Barbara Rollins, Deputy Director for Advancement, at BarbaraR@ncpgambling.org
Responsible Gaming Principles for Sports Gambling Legislation
NCPG’s Responsible Gaming Principles for Sports Gambling Legislation provide a basis for new regulations and legislation that may be enacted to allow sports betting. The principles will help protect individuals, gaming companies, and legislators by assisting the creation of reasonable efforts to prevent harm and provide treatment.
Download NCPG’s Responsible Gaming Principles for Sports Gambling Legislation
Resolution on the Legalization of Sports Gambling
NCPG’s Resolution on the Legalization of Sports Gambling calls upon all stakeholders in the discussion over legalized sports gambling to recognize the potential impact on gambling addiction. The resolution offers direct actions for legislators and regulators, leagues and teams, and the media to minimize harm as a result of increased gambling participation.
Download NCPG’s Resolution on the Legalization of Sports Gambling
Responsible Gaming Education Week
NCPG supports Responsible Gaming Education Week and urges members to work with gaming operators and regulators to train employees and raise awareness of gambling problems and responsible gaming solutions during RGEW and year around. For more information goto: https://www.americangaming.org/advocacy/toolkits/responsible-gaming
NCPG’s Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Guidelines
The guidelines outline essential age verification, player information, self-exclusion and data and customer assistance provisions. These guidelines were based on NCPG’s best-practice Internet Responsible Gambling Standards and adapted specifically for the fantasy sports industry. The guidelines were approved by the NCPG Board of Directors on December 4, 2015.
NCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards
The National Council on Problem Gambling has developed these standards to help guide discussions among all stakeholders on internet gambling, including operators, regulators, advocates and the public.
The standards contain specific recommendations in the areas of policy, staff training, informed decision-making, assisting players, self-exclusion, advertising and promotion, game and site features, and working with research.
NCPG reviewed current internet responsible gaming codes and regulations from around the world (see Appendix A) to guide the development of this standard. The final recommendations in this document flow from our 40 years of experience in problem gambling issues, existing international codes (in particular the Responsible Gambling Council’s draft internet gambling standards), empirical evidence and feedback from experts in the field including operators, regulators, researchers, clinicians and advocates. We have also considered Federal laws governing the online purchase of age-controlled products like alcohol and tobacco. The NCPG standard is a work in progress as internet gambling-related legislation, regulation and technology continue to evolve rapidly. The graphical and interactive structure of the internet provides an opportunity to create informed consumers with access to a variety of information designed to encourage safe choices and discourage unsafe behavior, including through setting personal limits and self-excluding. These programs can be improved by requiring operators to make de-identified play data (e.g., demographic, session, game and transaction data) publicly available. Analyzing actual player behavior leads to better understanding of gambling and problem gambling.
It is strongly recommended that operators and regulators consult with experts in the problem gambling field during the development and implementation of internet gambling. Problem gambling, like other diseases of addiction, will likely never be eliminated, but we must make better efforts to mitigate the damage. A portion of all gambling revenue must be dedicated to reduce the social costs of gambling addiction.
DownloadNCPG’s Internet Responsible Gaming Standards.
Public survey of online responsible gaming regulations
In spring 2014, NCPG commissioned Gambling Compliance to conduct a first-ever public survey of online responsible gaming regulations, finding states are off to a good start but still short of best practice.
DownloadNCPG Compliance Comparison Online Responsible Gaming Regulations Updated.
GRADE: Social Games Consumer Protection Guidelines
Version 3: October 21, 2013
DownloadGRADE Social Game Consumer Protection Guidelines v3
Social games with casino themes are among the fastest growing segments of the game industry. Yet significant uncertainly remains about the definitions and risks. Indeed, many social game developers and operators, including major gaming companies, argue that social games do not meet the definition of gambling and therefore requires no regulation. NCPG does not take an opinion on the legality of social games or whether they should be regulated.
NCPG believes that consumer protection standards are important as it is likely that some users of social games with casino themes may experience negative consequences. Operators benefit by protecting a significant source of revenue, providing good customer service and engaging with regulators and legislators in a positive manner. Regulators have an obligation under the “precautionary principle” to protect the public especially when faced with a brand new and fast-growing gambling-like activity. Organizations like the National Council have a duty to advocate for consumer protection.
Many social games with casino themes utilize features that are regulated, prohibited or not possible in regulated gaming environments. Some of these features are argued by some to contribute to greater risk of problem gambling. They include high frequency and speed of play, lack of minimum age policy and enforcement, “opaque” game mechanics, no specific oversight or consumer protection, unclear differentiation between social and “real money” games, among others.
The intent of the standards is to facilitate discussions about consumer protection among operators, regulators, legislators, consumer advocates and the public. While it is likely that many social games encourage lengthy play, our focus is placed on social games with casino themes that are free-to-play but have ways in which the consumer can spend real money. As noted, some argue that it is likely that some users are currently or at-risk for gambling addiction, and that as a result they may spend excessive amounts of time and money on social games with casino themes, leading to negative consequences.
As with internet gambling, the graphical and interactive structure of the social media provides an opportunity to create informed consumers with access to a variety of information designed to encourage safe choices and discourage unsafe behavior. Some game features could be utilized to promote responsible play, such as granting coins for setting voluntary limits, or for reading through the educational information.
Responsible Gambling Accreditation Definition
These guidelines are a work in progress as social gambling continues to rapidly. As we collect more information on actual player behavior we will be able to further determine what, if any, consumer protection and regulation is necessary. We encourage the social game developers and operators to work with NCPG to provide this data. We encourage feedback and comment and believe all stakeholders have an interest in reducing possible harms from social games with casino themes.
NCPG Affiliate Guide for Casino Responsible Gaming Training Programs March 2016
DownloadNCPG Affiliate Guide for Casino Employee Responsible Gaming Program March 2016
Responsible Gambling Accreditation Requirements
This guide was developed by the State Affiliate Chapters (“Affiliates”) of the National Council on Problem Gambling (“NCPG”) to provide guidance for Affiliates to conduct and advise on the training of casino employees. While this document was initially developed for the training of casino employees, the basic principles likely apply to any type of gaming and for community awareness programs.