NCPG Report Reveals Gaps in State Responsible Gambling Regulations

State Responsible Gambling Regulations Fall Short: NCPG Report Urges Action

As the US sports betting industry continues its meteoric rise, concerns over problem gambling have become increasingly pressing. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has issued a new report highlighting the significant gaps in state responsible gambling frameworks, raising alarms about inadequate consumer protection measures.

According to the NCPG’s analysis, states on average only meet 32 out of the 82 player protection standards outlined in the Internet Responsible Gambling Standards (IRGS). These standards, introduced in 2012, represent the best practices in responsible gambling and serve as a critical roadmap for states to follow as they develop sports betting regulations. However, the report reveals that many states fall short of these guidelines, leaving players vulnerable to gambling-related harm.

NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte emphasized the importance of the IRGS in ensuring player protection, stating, “The IRGS serves as a roadmap for states to utilize when developing sports betting regulations, ensuring that player protection remains the top priority. This report reflects the patchwork nature of existing regulations and the significant gaps in consumer protections. We urge legislators and regulators to take immediate steps to close these gaps and work to mitigate gambling-related harm.”

The report comes at a time when concerns over problem gambling are mounting in the US. The booming sports betting industry has attracted attention from lawmakers, the media, and the public, with calls for stronger regulations to safeguard consumers. According to the NCPG, the current regulatory frameworks are not doing enough to address these concerns.

The analysis shows that Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia lead the way, aligning with 49 of the 82 IRGS standards. Ten additional jurisdictions, including Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York, met over 40 of the standards. However, many states, such as Arizona, Michigan, and Ohio, fell short, meeting only between 25 and 39 criteria.

The lowest-ranking states—Arkansas, Nevada, and Wyoming, among others—met fewer than 24 of the standards, raising questions about their commitment to responsible gambling practices.

The report, compiled by Vixio Regulatory Intelligence, evaluated a wide range of consumer protection measures, including governance, training, advertising, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, and self-exclusion programs.

The NCPG’s findings underscore the urgent need for states to strengthen their responsible gambling frameworks. As more states legalize sports betting, it is critical that they implement robust player protection measures to ensure that consumers are not put at risk. The NCPG has called on legislators and regulators to close the gaps in existing regulations and work towards a more comprehensive approach to gambling harm prevention.

In a related development, two federal lawmakers—Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal—have proposed a new bill, the SAFE Act, that would seek to impose minimum federal standards on sports betting. This bill aims to address issues around advertising, affordability checks, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect consumers from the dangers of gambling addiction.

Rep. Tonko highlighted the dangers of unregulated sports betting, stating, “Every moment of every sporting event has become a betting opportunity. This has resulted in a frightening rise in gambling disorder, causing individuals to lose their homes, jobs, marriages, and lives. We have a duty to protect people from the tremendous harm related to gambling addiction.”

Strengthening Responsible Gambling Protections Is Critical

The NCPG’s report is a wake-up call for states that have yet to adopt comprehensive responsible gambling measures. As sports betting becomes more prevalent across the US, the need for effective regulation and player protection is more pressing than ever. With only a fraction of the IRGS standards being met on average, there is a clear need for action to address the growing problem of gambling addiction. As lawmakers consider new regulations and federal standards, it is crucial that states prioritize responsible gambling to safeguard consumers and prevent gambling-related harm.