AGA study: Gaming industry invests more money for responsible gaming measures

Saturday, September 28, 2024 1:14 PM
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  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming

The gaming industry is making more significant investments into responsible gaming measures.

Research by the American Gaming Association released Thursday indicates that the gaming industry invests $417.8 million each year in responsible gaming, an increase of 72% from the $275 million invested in 2017.

“This impactful rise in RG spending demonstrates the legal industry’s dedication to fostering a safe and informed gaming environment,” said AGA Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications Joe Maloney in a statement. “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.”

The research shows the industry is investing in responsible gaming measures at a rate faster than industry growth.

Areas that benefit from increased spending include:

  • Customer service interactions: $135.4 million
  • Developing and maintaining responsible gaming programs: $122.4 million
  • Consumer-facing responsible gaming education: $107.7 million
  • Responsible gaming research and other non-profit organizations: $31.8 million
  • Problem gambling supportive services: $26.1 million

“Our industry’s commitment to responsibility once again made RGEM a resounding success,” Maloney said. “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 new AGA research comes during Responsible Gaming Education Month 2024. Earlier this September, the AGA released its first Responsible Gaming Intervention Effectiveness Scale, providing a research-based tool to evaluate responsible gaming messages for academics and industry members.

The study was conducted by an international accounting firm from July-September 2024. The results are based on a survey of AGA members, including casino operators, gaming equipment suppliers, and igaming and sportsbook operators. Data collected from the sample of survey respondents was extrapolated into an industry-wide estimate based on reported revenue for the fiscal/calendar year 2023.

Rege Behe is lead contributor to CDC Gaming. He can be reached at rbehe@cdcgaming.com. Please follow @RegeBehe_exPTR on Twitter.