The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) last week released Digital Support Apps: Expanding Access to Harm Reduction Tools, a report and assessment framework that gives Canadian gambling operators, app developers, and regulators a consistent way to evaluate mobile apps and bet-blocking software designed to reduce gambling-related harm.
Mobile apps and bet-blocking software are increasingly in the hands of people who want to reduce or manage gambling-related harm. Operators are being approached for endorsement, and regulators want to separate effective tools from market noise. Until now, Canada has had no consistent reference point to address these standards.
The report introduces the Safer Gambling App Endorsement Framework, a checklist with six domains:
- functionality and purpose;
- accessibility and inclusion;
- user protection and privacy;
- core responsible gambling features;
- testing and evaluation;
- governance and independence.
