Recent findings from the American Gaming Association (AGA) reveal a substantial increase in investments toward responsible gaming initiatives across the US gaming industry. The total annual expenditure has surged to $471.8 million, marking a remarkable 72% increase from the $275 million recorded in 2017. This growth in responsible gaming spending has outpaced the revenue growth in the gaming sector over the same period, highlighting an intensified focus on creating a safer gaming environment.
Breakdown of investment in responsible gaming:
The AGA’s report, prepared by a major international accounting firm, details the distribution of the increased funding across various responsible gaming activities: $135.4 million was allocated to customer service interactions, $122.4 million dedicated to the development and maintenance of responsible gaming programs, $107.7 million spent on consumer-facing responsible gaming education, $31.8 million directed towards research and support for non-profit responsible gaming organizations, and $26.1 million invested in problem gambling supportive services.
Joe Maloney, AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications, emphasized the industry’s proactive efforts, stating in a press release, “This impactful rise in RG spending demonstrates the legal industry’s dedication to fostering a safe and informed gaming environment. Beyond the considerable taxes gaming companies contribute to fund responsible gaming and problem gambling resources, the industry also proactively invests hundreds of millions of dollars more to ensure our customers have the tools, knowledge, and safeguards to play responsibly.”
Responsible Gaming Education Month and new tools:
The report coincides with the Responsible Gaming Education Month(RGEM) 2024, during which the AGA unveiled a pioneering Responsible Gaming Intervention Effectiveness Scale. This tool is designed to aid academics, industry members, and others in evaluating the effectiveness of responsible gaming messages. Maloney highlighted the success of RGEM, saying, “Our industry’s commitment to responsibility once again made RGEM a resounding success. We look forward to seeing the work done throughout this past month provide a springboard for continued advancements in responsible gaming in the months and years to come.”
The AGA conducted the study between July and September 2024, surveying a broad spectrum of its members, including casino operators, gaming equipment suppliers, and iGaming or sportsbook operators. The data collected from this representative sample was then extrapolated to generate an industry-wide estimate based on the reported revenues for the fiscal/calendar year 2023.
As the US continues to see an expansion in legal gambling jurisdictions, responsible gaming remains a top priority. Currently, regulatory approaches vary from state to state, but there are ongoing discussions at the federal level to establish a national framework for responsible gaming. Recent legislative proposals, such as the SAFE Bet Act and the GRIT Act, aim to allocate federal funds towards problem gambling and responsible gaming programs, indicating a move towards more standardized regulations across the country.