Responsible Play - American Gaming Association

Responsible Play

Learn more about today’s gaming industry and our commitment to responsible leadership.

The adrenaline of chance.
The excitement of winning.
It wouldn't be possible without
a foundation of responsibility.

Starting the moment an account is opened to when we payout winnings, our top priority is ensuring customers play responsibly and for fun.

From its inception in Atlantic City to the evolution to a new era of gaming today, responsible gambling is ingrained in our DNA. Learn more about today’s gaming industry and our commitment to responsible leadership.

Engaging in

Responsible Play

Whether slots, table games, sports betting or iGaming, gambling is an popular form of entertainment for American adults. AGA research shows that nearly half of all American adults (49%) participated in some form of gambling in the past year.

Most Americans who choose to gamble do so for entertainment. We want customers that enjoy using our products for entertainment value which is why we provide tools and resources for all customers so that they can identify what works for them to engage responsibly.

If you’re getting in on the fun, make sure to Have A Game Plan and bet responsibly.

Set a Budget

Establish your own limits by developing a set of personal
guidelinesto determine when and how much to wager.

Keep it Social

Responsible gaming means keeping it social and ensuring it remains entertaining.

Know the Odds

Be informed: learn the details of the games you’re playing.

Play Legally

Make sure you’re playing with trusted licensed, regulated operators.

Keep Your Cool

Winning and losing are part of the game so remember
—no matter the outcome—to keep your cool.

Set a Budget

Establish your own limits by developing a set of personal
guidelinesto determine when and how much to wager.

Keep it Social

Responsible gaming means keeping it social and ensuring it remains entertaining.

Know the Odds

Be informed: learn the details of the games you’re playing.

Play Legally

Make sure you’re playing with trusted licensed, regulated operators.

Keep Your Cool

Winning and losing are part of the game so remember
—no matter the outcome—to keep your cool.

Meeting High Regulatory Standards

Gaming is one of the most regulated industries in the U.S.

More than 5,000 dedicated state and tribal regulators establish and enforce robust license and regulatory frameworks. These regulators work every day to provide careful and effective oversight and ensure it evolves with the growth of the marketplace. Our members recognize every license to operate is a privilege, not a right, and are focused on meeting and exceeding regulatory standards.

Beyond regulatory oversight, AGA members abide by our Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct, a pledge to prioritize responsible gaming as an integral part of our industry’s daily operations.

 

RESOURCE

Responsible Code of Conduct

The AGA and its members pledge to prioritize responsible gaming as an integral part of our industry’s daily operations.

Advertising Responsibly

Advertising is critical to migrate customers to the legal market, ensure they see responsible gaming messages, and build a thriving marketplace.

 

More than eight in 10 (84%)  of past-year gamblers are aware of at least one responsible gaming resource, including  91 percent of sports bettors.

Leveraging Technology

Like any industry, the gaming industry is exploring how to integrate new technologies and data to improve products and cater to customers.

Most importantly, we are leveraging new technologies to advance responsible play. AGA members are working to marry research on responsible play and problem gambling, data from customers and machine learning, and customer service to identify potentially risky patterns and support positive player experiences or provide help, if needed.

Ensuring Help is Available

The expansion of legal gaming in the U.S. means there’s never been more attention paid, more resources invested or more programs dedicated to responsible and problem gambling than there is today.

Problem gambling helplines like 1-800-GAMBLER are vital for providing support and counseling to those for whom gambling is no longer fun. Today, we are the top marketer of problem gambling helplines.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, help is available.

Protecting Younger Populations

Gambling is entertainment strictly for adults. Ensuring that casino gaming activities are only engaged by responsible adults is a prerequisite for regulated gaming companies. Whether online or in-person, our industry applies robust Know Your Customer protocols to confirm the age, identity and source of funds of players.

DID YOU KNOW?
The AGA’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering sets specific limits to protect young adults and underage audiences, including bans on college advertising and targeting advertising to 21+ audiences. According to Nielsen Ad Intel, nearly 95% of AGA member ad impressions were delivered to viewers 21+ in the past year.

In addition to legal industry efforts, parents play an essential role in preventing underage gambling. Verified players, including parents, should never provide access to minors to gamble. It is not only against the law and violates an operator’s terms of service but puts an adult product in the hands of a vulnerable population. Instead, like any other adult product, families should have a healthy dialogue about the risk of gambling, the legal age, and how to engage responsibly.

Investing in

Responsible Gaming

AGA members dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars every year to provide tools for customers to bet responsibly, train employees to monitor and engage players who need help, and fund research to prevent and treat problem gambling.

We lead investment in responsible and problem gambling research. Since 1996, the gaming industry has committed more than $40 million to independent academic research to better advance responsible gambling and treat problem gambling. That includes $10 million in the last five years alone.

AGA members devote millions of dollars every year to meet high regulatory standards, give customers the knowledge and tools they need to bet responsibly, and train employees to monitor and engage players who need help.

 

More than half (57%) of sports bettors report seeing an increase in responsible gaming messaging over the past year.

Member Commitments


AGA members continue to invest in education, research and programs to advance responsible play.

 

2025

March 6, 2025 | DraftKings Renews State Council Funding Program and Expands Responsible Gaming Initiatives
Read the Press Release

February 28, 2025 | MGM Resorts & BetMGM Expand Commitment to Problem Gambling Research, Treatment & Public Awareness
Read the Press Release

February 7, 2025 | FanDuel Announces That Nearly Half of Customers Engaged with My Spend During the 2024-2025 NFL Season
Read the Press Release

January 21, 2025 | ESPN Launches “The Talk” Campaign to Promote Responsible Sports Betting
Read the Press Release

 

2024

December 10, 2024 | FanDuel Expands Suite of Responsible Gaming Tools with Introduction of My Spend
Read the Press Release

December 10, 2024 | MGM Resorts celebrates unique milestone in responsible gaming
Read the Article

September 4, 2024 | FanDuel Launches “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting” Focused on Helping Parents and Families Discuss Gambling
Read the Press Release

September 3, 2024 | Responsible Gaming Education Month 2024: Sands Kicks off Team Member Awareness Campaign
Read the Press Release

September 3, 2024 | EPIC Global Solutions and Bally’s partner to set new standards for Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release

August 30, 2024 | MGM Resorts & BetMGM To Increase Responsible Gaming Message at NFL Stadiums During Upcoming Season
Read the Press Release

June 26, 2024 | Kindbridge Research Institute Announces Formation of Military Gambling Awareness Committee
Read the Press Release

April 22, 2024 | Lori Kalani to Join DraftKings as First Chief Responsible Gaming Officer
Read the Press Release

March. 27, 2024 | New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices
Read the Press Release

March. 21, 2024 | DraftKings and Kindbridge Behavioral Health Expand Program That Provides Treatment Resources for Individuals Experiencing Potential Indications of Problem Gaming
Read the Press Release

March. 14, 2024 | DraftKings Launches “My Stat Sheet” – a New Tool to Promote Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release

March. 6, 2024 | FanDuel Introduces New Mental Health Collaboration and Support Efforts During Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Read the Press Release

March. 1, 2024 | MGM Resorts & BetMGM Strengthen Relationship With Kindbridge, Furthering Support for Problem Gambling Research & Treatment
Read the Press Release

Jan. 23, 2024 | Pavilion Payments Funds Research and Grant Award for the International Center for Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release

Jan. 24, 2024 | FanDuel Announces New Financial Literacy Partnership in Expansion of Effort to Empower Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release

 

2023

Feb. 2, 2023 | PENN Entertainment’s Barstool Sportsbook and HollywoodCasino.com Achieve Responsible Gaming Accreditation under the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check Program
Read the Press Release

Feb. 24, 2023 | BetMGM Announces New Pledge to Promote Responsible Gaming in Advertising
Read the Press Release

Mar. 1, 2023 | MGM Resorts & BetMGM Strengthen Responsible Gaming Commitment With 5-Year Gamesense Extension
Read the Press Release

Mar. 29, 2023 | GeoComply funds new International Center for Responsible Gaming research program
Read the Press Release

Mar. 30, 2023 | Responsible Gambling Council Approves BetMGM For Top Accreditation
Read the Press Release

Mar. 30, 2023 | Fanatics, Hard Rock Digital, PointsBet Join Coalition of Leading Online Operators Focused on Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release

Jun. 13, 2023 | OpenBet expands responsible gaming capabilities with Neccton acquisition
Read the Press Release

Jul. 25, 2023 | Upkeeping responsible gambling duties: bet365 extends partnership with Rightlander
Read the Press Release

Aug. 31, 2023 | MGM Resorts’ & BETMGM’s Responsible Gaming Program Gamesense to Be Featured at Nine NFL Stadiums
Read the Press Release

Sep. 12, 2023 | FanDuel Marks Responsible Gaming Education Month with Major Investment in its Responsible Gaming Ambassador Program
Read the Press Release

Nov. 16, 2023 | IGT Reaffirms Responsible Gaming Leadership with G4 Certification for Global Gaming and PlayDigital Segments
Read the Press Release

Dec. 21, 2023 | MGM Resorts Provides $360,000 Donation To International Center for Responsible Gaming
Read the Press Release