US, European Gaming Organizations Team Up to Promote Safer Gambling

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 25, 2024

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In an effort to address several pressing issues facing the global gaming industry, three of the world’s leading gaming trade groups have joined forces. The American Gaming Association (AGA), the UK’s Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), and the European Casino Association (ECA) have formalized their commitment through a memorandum of understanding aimed at protecting players and advancing responsible gaming practices. Together, these organizations represent a unified front in the ongoing battle against illegal gambling, enhanced security measures, and the promotion of responsible gaming.

This collaboration, announced via an AGA press release, marks a major milestone in the global gaming industry. According to a press release from the organizations, the partnership will involve sharing resources and expertise to address common challenges across various regions. A key focus of the initiative is the fight against illegal gambling, which poses a threat not only to consumers but also to the financial systems that support legal gaming operations worldwide.

The first major initiative of the partnership will be a law-enforcement roundtable, scheduled for January 2025. The event will bring together industry leaders, regulators, and law enforcement officials to examine the impact of illegal gambling on legal operators, consumers, and global financial systems. This meeting is intended to foster collaboration among various stakeholders to develop strategies for curbing illegal gambling activities, which continue to undermine the regulated gaming sector.

Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA, emphasized the importance of this new alliance. “This new partnership is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to advance the legal gaming industry and protect consumers around the globe,” he said. “By sharing our unique resources, we will expand our fight against illegal gambling to new fronts, work together to strengthen responsible gaming, and innovate around business best practices.”

The ECA echoed this sentiment, with Chairman Erwin van Lambaart affirming the organization’s commitment to the initiative. “The ECA fully backs this initiative and supports the ongoing efforts to rigorously combat illegality within our industry, continuously strengthen player protections and security, and ensure the creation of an environment that fosters innovation and growth within the gaming community,” he added.

In the UK, the Betting & Gaming Council has also taken a strong stance against the unregulated gambling market. Grainne Hurst, CEO of the BGC, noted that the growing black market in the UK presents a significant risk to player safety. “Working together with the AGA and ECA, I am confident our shared knowledge and expertise will be vital to bolstering safer gambling standards while tackling the threat of the growing and unsafe unregulated gambling black market in the UK,” she commented.

This joint effort comes at a time when the gaming industry is facing increased scrutiny over player protections and the rise of illegal gambling operations. The collaboration between the AGA, BGC, and ECA aims to address these concerns by fostering a more secure and responsible gaming environment.

In addition to tackling illegal gambling, the partnership is also focusing on improving responsible gaming practices. A recent study funded by the AGA and its partners found that casinos and sportsbooks can enhance the effectiveness of responsible gaming messages by making them more engaging and positive. This research underscores the importance of not just addressing harmful gambling behaviors, but also promoting responsible gaming in a way that resonates with players.