The UKGC To Help Formulate Gaming Regulations in the US

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 8, 2024

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The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) has entered into a partnership with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). In this collaboration, the UKGC will assume a special advisor role for the NCLGS as it crafts a model legislation for online gaming in the United States.

NCLGS President and West Virginia Delegate Shawn Fluharty has already established a committee to formulate this legislation, and more details about the committee will be disclosed shortly.

Fluharty expressed his appreciation for the UK Gambling Commission’s involvement, emphasizing the significance of this opportunity. He sees it as a chance for the NCLGS to draw upon the knowledge and expertise of one of the world’s most respected regulatory bodies.

The goal is to develop model legislation that strengthens the US market, diminishes the influence of the black market and safeguards consumers.

For the formulation of its model online gaming legislation, the NCLGS plans to tap into the insights and expertise of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The anticipated timeline for revealing this legislation is the NCLGS summer meeting scheduled for July.

Tim Miller, the Executive Director of the UKGC, emphasized the global nature of the gambling industry, noting shared risks and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Miller stressed the importance of jurisdictions collaborating to regulate the same companies, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices for fair, safe and crime-free gambling markets.

Miller also expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts with NCLGS, seeing it as a significant project to advance these shared goals.

Fluharty is proactively addressing the potential surge in iGaming interest among US consumers. Consumer protection and transparency are key points highlighted by the NCLGS president.

He acknowledges the hesitancy among bettors to embrace the concept of online casino gaming through mobile devices.

Daran Dorsey, Executive Director of the Association of Gaming Equipment Managers, points out that sports betting enjoys greater acceptance in the US due to its longstanding cultural presence.

Dorsey notes the comfort associated with this activity compared to the technological shift of transitioning from a land-based environment into a digital one.

The collaboration between NCLGS and the UK Gambling Commission has a clear objective: crafting robust legislation for state lawmakers.

This initiative aims to foster the growth of the domestic iGaming industry while prioritizing consumer protection and maintaining responsible betting practices.