Massachusetts regulators gathered at Encore Boston Harbor last week to mark the completion of a six-year project that has placed optional responsible gaming software on every slot machine operating in the state—a total of more than 10,000 machines. It is the first state to make such a move.
Massachusetts has three casinos, and the technology was first installed at PENN Entertainment’s Plainridge Park as a pilot program in 2016. It launched at MGM Springfield in April of this year, and currently 32,000 players have signed up, including just over 3,100 at MGM in six months, according to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
The software allows the player to opt-in when inserting a player’s club card. When activated, it allows consumers to set a budget on how much they will wager, and gives the player updates on total wagering several times during the day.
“All three licensees have been true partners in this collaboration,” MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said, according to US Bets. “This is not happening in other jurisdictions, so it truly is unique.”
The software is custom designed for each location. “It’s intended to be an informed player choice,” MGC Director Mark Vander Linden said via video link from Encore-Boston Harbor during last week’s meeting. “Our job is to make sure players have all the information about whether or not they want to continue to play.”
Responsible gaming advocates have lauded Massachusetts for what they say is a groundbreaking program in the U.S.
