New research released Wednesday by the American Gaming Association indicates that the acceptance of gaming in America is at an all-time high, and that casino gamblers are actively practicing responsible gaming. Surveyed bettors report setting budgets and sticking to them, and being aware of available responsible gaming resources, at significantly high rates.
According to the research, 9 in 10 casual bettors set a budget before they visit a casino; 90 percent of those visitors report success in tracking their spending; and 8 in 10 casual casino visitors and 9 in 10 avid casino visitors are aware of responsible gaming resources.
Data in the survey comes from two separate polls conducted in late 2018. The survey on American acceptance of gaming was conducted by the Mellman Group and covered 1,000 registered voters both online and on the phone. The look at casino visitors’ responsible gaming practices were drawn from a study of 2,014 respondents who had gambled in a casino in the past year and was conducted online by BrandOutlook.
“Responsible gaming is our industry’s top priority,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said. “This research indicates that our commitment to responsibility is resonating with our customers. But success in this area will never mean our work is done. We look forward to continuing to work with gaming regulators, our partners in the fight against problem gambling, and our employees to ensure customers continue to engage in this form of entertainment responsibly.”
This research comes on the heels of a recent AGA study that highlighted continued growth in the acceptance of gaming. That research indicates that 88 percent of American adults view gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment. Americans also have a positive view of the industry’s role as a community partner, with 80 percent of people recognizing gaming’s role as a job creator and 6 in 10 Americans believing casinos help their local economies.
The U.S. gaming industry commits more than $300 million to responsible gaming annually, supporting education, training and rehabilitation programs across the country. Last year, the organization launched the Responsible Gambling Collaborative, which convened a group of thought leaders, stakeholders and academics to rethink strategy regarding the complex issue of responsible gaming.
AGA members adhere to the association’s Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct, which guides industry commitments to responsible gaming. The Code is updated annually to reflect new developments and industry innovations. Last year’s update included enhanced provisions on sports betting and responsible advertising.
“Gaming has made great strides over the past few years with the public increasingly recognizing our industry as the community partner and economic driver we know it to be,” Miller continued. “I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to build upon this momentum in the years to come.”
