Each September the NFL season begins, marking the return of America’s most bet-on sport. The kickoff also coincides with Responsible Gaming Education Month, a nationwide initiative that underscores the importance of being informed, playing smart, and making responsible decisions while gambling.
Responsible Gaming Education Month reinforces MGM Resorts’ commitment to continuous learning. Awareness and education are the foundation of a safe and enjoyable gambling environment. We promote these messages with signage, pamphlets, billboards, and ads throughout casino properties and online spaces. While education for guests is essential, it’s also important for employees who bring these messages to life every day. Frontline employees are MGM Resorts’ strongest responsible gaming ambassadors. They provide the personal engagement that research shows is essential for positive outcomes through intervention and support. That is why our training efforts are designed to give employees the confidence and tools to succeed.
Corporate Commitment
MGM Resorts has long been committed to significant investments in a comprehensive training program for all employees given their crucial role. Responsible gaming is covered in employee onboarding, and, annually, each employee is required to review and acknowledge a region-specific responsible gaming training module. In 2024, we expanded these efforts, certifying 1,000 select employees as GameSense Advisors through in-depth, multi-level courses on the topic. So far in 2025, we’re on track to certify another 1,000 employees by year’s end. GameSense is an industry-leading responsible gaming program first developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The program focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly. It’s also been adopted by BetMGM.
From Nevada to New York, we go from property to property to conduct our GameSense Advisor sessions in person, underscoring our belief that face-to-face interaction is vital to building employee awareness and empowerment. These sessions create space for dialogue, questions, and shared experiences that give employees greater confidence when engaging with guests to promote and reinforce responsible gaming.
This commitment to employee training is reinforced by leadership at every level. From C-suite to property management, responsible gaming is consistently framed as a central business priority. Our team members know that their efforts are recognized and supported throughout the organization.
Employee Engagement
This employee engagement represents an annual investment of more than $750,000 in responsible gaming training. This level of investment exceeds industry benchmarks, and it demonstrates our belief that empowering employees through education builds a culture of accountability and commitment while positioning MGM Resorts as a recognized leader in responsible gaming.
The benefits of in-depth training go beyond providing employees with the tools needed to help our guests. Problem gambling risk is universal, and our team members and their families are no exception, particularly given their proximity to the industry. As part of each employee’s training, MGM Resorts provides access to resources and tools to promote responsible gambling practices in each employee’s life. We offer an employee assistance program that includes counseling services for various personal, financial, and mental health needs—including those related to problem gambling. The training program also helps create an open environment where employees can ask questions and seek help without stigma and without concern for job security. The company’s responsible gaming team occasionally comments on how, after a session, employees will pull the facilitator aside and thank them for the information and its positive impact, either personally or for a family member.
Make it Positive
As we close out Responsible Gaming Education Month, I’m convinced that leaning heavily into employee training and ensuring a well-informed and supported frontline staff is among our best tools for creating a positive environment for our guests and employees. Research consistently supports this approach, and we’ve put that research into action by making training and education the centerpiece of our responsible gaming program. In fact, earlier this month we announced a $250,000 contribution to the International Center for Responsible Gaming. This donation will support peer‑reviewed research that advances best practices for supporting casino employees and strengthening player protection strategies.
MGM Resorts International exists to entertain and to do it with care and supportive guest service. Responsible gaming is a critical component of that and relies on a human touch that only a well-trained team can provide. No matter their role within our company, every employee is an ambassador of responsible gaming. Their dedication makes our program among the most comprehensive in the industry and a customer service model for those we entertain.
Stephen Martino is Chief Compliance Officer & Senior Vice President at MGM Resorts International.
