On March 27, seven of the largest iGaming companies in the United States announced the launch of a new trade group, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA). Its stated goal is to develop and advance responsible gaming practices in the growing industry.
According to a news release, the independent trade association will “actively promote a new industry-wide best practices charter, overseen by one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of responsible gaming (RG).”
Jennifer Shatley, a responsible gaming executive with more than 25 years of experience, will serve as ROGA’s full-time executive director.
“I am humbled, honored and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming,” said Dr. Shatley, currently president of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. “Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness.
“Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and maximize our efforts to support additional responsible gaming education and awareness.”
Shatley said ROGA and its members “will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming.”
ROGA will focus on research, the promotion of RG best practices, including education and awareness; the development of an independent data clearinghouse; and an independent certification program to assess members’ responsible gaming efforts, providing operators with an objective independent evaluation of their responsible gaming policies and procedures.
Member companies, which represent more than 85 percent of the legal online sports betting and iGaming industries, have pledged more than $20 million to support the organization in its inaugural year. They include BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Penn Entertainment.
