In an effort to heighten its commitment to responsible gaming, the American Gaming Association (AGA) recently released a new industry Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming as a part of Responsible Gaming Education Week events in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Originally created in 2003, the AGA Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming has worked toward establishing a steady and reliable approach to responsible gaming throughout all of the AGA’s gaming companies and member casinos.
In 2013, the AGA’s code was updated but still primarily only applied to brick and mortar gaming operations. For the first time ever, the Code is now applicable to every form of gaming, including online gaming, interactive and mobile, in addition to land based.
AGA’s senior director of gaming policy, Elizabeth Cronan, said, “Our commitment to responsible gaming has never been higher and that’s reflected in our updated Code of Conduct on responsible gaming.” Cronan added that the AGA knows “that responsible gaming is an issue that must be top of mind industry-wide for all employees, every day,” according to the press release.
The changes to the AGA’s Code of Conduct are reportedly aimed at increasing responsible gaming efforts by the industry, while also looking to build a stronger and more unified dialogue among industry stakeholders.
Included in the changes to the code are new measures to protect consumers, such as greater transparency surrounding payouts and odds and on casino games. Additionally, they include heightened transparency in advertising. According to the press release, the goal is to ensure that marketing and advertising do not misrepresent the probability of winning.
Ongoing responsible gaming initiatives by the casino industry and the AGA also include the development and distribution of educational materials; research into treatment and prevention methods; and training employees how to effectively deal with problem gamblers and put in motion responsible gaming initiatives. The AGA, along with its casino partners, are also placing toll-free helpline numbers and educational material at casinos to provide players a way to seek additional information regarding responsible gaming, should they seek it.
The American Gaming Association represents the $240 billion U.S. casino industry. The latter supports 1.7 million jobs throughout 40 states. Members of the AGA include tribal and commercial casino operators, as well as suppliers and other entities associated with the gaming industry.
