The American Gaming Association (AGA) commenced Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) 2023 on Tuesday with new consumer survey data carried out by YouGov showing the strength of responsible gaming (RG) awareness.
From August 3-10, the online survey interviewed 2,018 Americans aged 21 and over and found that as legal gaming expands, consumers continue to report high levels of responsible gaming engagement, with 84% of past-year gamblers aware of at least one responsible gaming resource, including 91% of sports bettors.
Past-year gamblers also report high confidence in the effectiveness of responsible gaming tools, policies, and initiatives. Three-quarters or more of players consider the following measures as effective ways to encourage responsible play, including deposit limits (85%); time limits (78%); wager limits (77%); employee training (77%); and industry code of conduct (75%).
Cait DeBaun, AGA’s VP of Strategic Communications and Responsibility, said: “Our industry’s success is based on earning customer trust, providing safeguards for responsible gaming, and implementing tools that our customers engage to bet responsibly.”
“Today’s data shows our united effort to elevate responsible gaming is clearly resonating with players and shaping a safer gaming landscape,” she added.
As legal sports betting grows in new and existing markets, the survey underscores the value of advertising in driving responsible gaming awareness. More than half (53%) of sports bettors report seeing an increase in responsible gaming messaging over the past year.
Marking the industry’s 25th annual celebration of responsible gaming in September, RGEM 2023 will feature four weekly themes that the industry will activate. These include ‘Empowering Customers to Play Responsibly’ (September 1-10); ‘Legal, Regulated Gaming Protects Players’ (September 11-17); ‘Building a Responsible Gaming Culture Within’ (September 18-24); and ‘Advancing Responsible Gaming with Research’ (September 25-30).
“This month provides a focused opportunity for the gaming community to come together to highlight and advance our efforts. We look forward to joining with our members, regulators, leagues, media, and all stakeholders to uphold our collective responsibility for responsibility,” DeBaun concluded.
Beyond regulatory commitments, AGA members agree to abide by the Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct and Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering. AGA’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. campaign will also feature prominently during RGEM 2023, bringing together leagues, teams, operators and other sports betting stakeholders to educate consumers on responsible wagering.