Effectiveness Principles

The Responsible Gambling Collaborative is pleased to present the following “Responsible Gambling Effectiveness Principles.” These principles address a simple, but critical question: What are the most effective ways to foster responsible gambling, as well as prevent and address problem gambling?

These Effectiveness Principles are meant to spark discussion, encourage collaboration, and generate new insights into this central question. They are a starting point for industry, policymakers, regulators, academics, and practitioners—and are not intended to be a complete compilation or a statement that other methods are not relevant or appropriate. We encourage stakeholders to pursue any and all evidence-based efforts to promote responsible gambling and to address problem gambling.

Previous research findings, scientific papers, and strategic frameworks have helped guide important efforts to implement responsible gambling, prevent problem gambling, and address problem gambling behavior. 

Our Effectiveness Principles build upon these efforts, but also represent a first-ever attempt within the United States to create a consensus statement endorsed by academics, researchers, problem gambling advocacy groups, and gambling industry organizations. 

While much has been achieved in addressing problem gambling, the Responsible Gambling Collaborative aspires to make even greater strides toward smarter policies and better practices. We believe it is time for a comprehensive review of existing responsible gambling policies and regulations, and hope these principles will assist in that assessment. Based on solid evidence and sound science, they provide a common framework for identifying the best approaches to promoting responsible gambling and preventing problem gambling. 

Support funding for research and evaluation.

 

We know research is essential to better understand and encourage responsible gambling, support prevention and treatment of problem gambling, and to advance the most effective public policies and business practices related to these issues.

 

Support funding for problem gambling treatment.

 

The research is clear: treatment for gambling disorder works for many individuals. Treatment resources should be available to all, and all who seek treatment services should receive it. We believe treatment should be evidence-based, and that it may be even more effective when based on an integrated care model which takes into consideration co-morbidity issues. 

 

Help patrons make informed choices about their gambling.

 

Gamblers who hold rational beliefs about gambling have lower risks. Making customers aware of the odds of games and potential risks of problem gambling promotes transparency and gambling literacy.

Ensure every company has a responsible gambling plan and industry employees understand their role and responsibility in fostering responsible gambling and preventing problem gambling behavior.

 

Planning and training can help prevent problem gambling by integrating responsible gambling into wider business practices at individual and organizational levels.

 

Confirm gambling-related business practices encourage responsible gambling.

 

We believe more transparency for patrons around the extension of credit may advance responsible gambling. 

 

Equip consumers with the tools they need to gamble responsibly and prevent problem gambling behavior.

 

We believe consumers who set and adhere to spend and/or time limits more successfully moderate their gambling. We believe consumers should have access to related tools, as they can be effective in fostering responsible gambling.