The casino industry’s largest lobbying group in the U.S. has updated its code of conduct for responsible gambling to specify that it applies to sports betting activities.
The American Gaming Association unveiled the updated policies Tuesday. The changes come months after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting should they desire.
The updated code makes clear that marketing and advertising rules on TV, online and other media, as well as efforts to prevent underage gambling extend to sports betting.
The rules call on casinos to make “diligent efforts” to prevent minors from gambling or placing bets on sports.
It also states gambling and sports betting advertising will not “depart from contemporary standards of good taste” or feature images appealing to minors.
Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs of AGA, said it was important the industry help states and regulators develop policies together.
“It sets us back when there are burdensome and unworkable regulations,” Slane said.
The changes to the code were announced as part of the 21st anniversary of the industry’s Responsible Gaming Education Week. The AGA, along with UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, held a panel discussion to discuss how responsible gaming has evolved.
The event was the first of two with a second to be held in Boston.
“As gaming enters a new landscape, our industry is prepared to be a proactive partner in how we approach responsible gaming, highlighted today with our updated Code of Conduct that spells our obligations to our patrons, employees and communities,” Slane said in a statement.
The panel included Bo Bernhard, executive director of the International Gaming Institute; Robin Bernhard, senior manager, marketing & education at BMM Testlabs; Jennifer Shatley, responsible gaming policies and compliance specialist with Caesars Entertainment; Connie Jones, director of responsible gaming at the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers; and Slane.
