New partnership leads to the development of a responsible gambling certification by ROGA and RGC
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have joined forces to establish a certification program for online gaming operators. This partnership, announced on 2 September at ROGA's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, marks a significant industry paradigm shift of transforming responsible gaming from a regulatory obligation into an independently verified, performance-based certification.
The new certification program is designed to elevate responsible gaming practices among online operators, promoting transparency and allowing players to make informed decisions about the platforms they use. ROGA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley believes in building a sustainable online gaming industry on evidence-based best practices through objective assessment.
The program builds on years of evidence-based work and experience building RG Check as a trusted standard. RGC, with over 40 years of experience in player protection and prevention programming, will bring its expertise to the table. The formal collaboration to shape the program's architecture has been established.
The development process for the certification program was initiated by ROGA earlier this year. The program aims to promote standards that go beyond regulatory compliance through independent validation. In particular, it aspires to set a new benchmark for responsible gambling in the online space, according to McCarthy, speaking about the new partnership.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for certification development was initiated by ROGA. The technology provider support for ROGA's data-clearinghouse initiative will be addressed in late 2024. The new partnership with RGC will create a more transparent, accountable, and player-focused industry.
ROGA represents roughly 90% of the legal US sports betting market by handle. This certification program is a move by ROGA toward reinforcing long-term commitments to responsible gaming beyond state and provincial mandates. The new certification program reinforces ROGA's broader mission to balance player protection with innovative operator practices through transparency and continuous improvement.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) in McLean, Virginia, announced its collaboration with the Responsible Gambling Council to establish a certification program focused on improving responsible gaming practices among online providers in September 2022. This new initiative is expected to bring about a positive change in the online gaming industry, fostering a safer and more responsible environment for players.
