Weekly Recap in Sports Gambling: Promoting Responsible Gaming
In the ever-evolving world of sports betting, responsible gambling practices have taken centre stage. This week, various developments have highlighted the industry's focus on promoting a safe and secure environment for bettors across the United States.
Maryland bettors have managed to keep their hold under 10% in August, demonstrating a commitment to responsible gambling practices. Meanwhile, in Missouri, ballot proposals have been filed that, if passed, would send the decision to legalize wagering to voters.
In the realm of operator activity, five major operators have submitted bids for Vermont, while DraftKings, despite posting and then removing a parlay tied to 9/11 terrorist attacks, continues to dominate the Massachusetts sports wagering scene.
The NFL Week 1 reportedly resulted in the second-busiest week for sportsbook downloads ever. Anytime Touchdown Scorer markets were the most popular player prop, increasing 90% year-over-year. Prop betting has seen a 67% increase in the NFL Week 1 bets tracked by The Action Network.
The past week has seen discussions about the dangers of excessive gambling and the industry's role in promoting responsible gambling. The American Gaming Association has designated September as Responsible Gaming Education Month, aiming to raise awareness and encourage best practices.
Regulatory measures are also being implemented to ensure a safe and responsible betting environment. About two-thirds of commercial gaming jurisdictions require sports betting operators to establish and file formal responsible gaming plans with regulators. These plans include comprehensive measures to help patrons gamble responsibly and minimize problem gambling risks.
Over 80% of states with commercial gaming have detailed rules to restrict gambling advertising, specifically prohibiting ads in media where a significant portion of the audience is underage. States such as Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina have explicit requirements addressing this since 2022.
Several states require operators to use data analytics and automated systems to detect signs of problem gambling and intervene proactively. Common regulatory elements include allowing players to self-exclude from betting activities for set periods or permanently, providing readily accessible responsible gaming information to patrons, and restricting player credit extensions to prevent gambling beyond means.
Some states like Maryland are proposing tighter controls on promotional free bets, including caps on their value and frequency, aiming to reduce aggressive marketing that might encourage risky gambling behavior. Regulations increasingly mandate training for employees to recognize and address problem gambling issues effectively.
States like Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Vermont allocate dedicated funds annually to support problem gambling research, treatment, and education. Additional compliance measures include customer verification and ongoing due diligence to prevent underage and risky gambling, as well as anti-money laundering controls that align with broader legal standards.
In other news, FanDuel sets a single-week mobile revenue record in New York, Colorado has become the sixth state to surpass $13 billion in sports wagering handle, and consumers in Colorado can sign up voluntarily to be excluded from gambling at casinos or betting on sports online for periods of one, three, or five years.
GeoComply reports 242 million NFL Week 1 betting transactions, up 56% over last year. MGM Resorts is still recovering from a Sunday cyber attack, while Hard Rock Bet could launch as early as Sept. 19 in Florida.
A Maryland lawmaker seeks retail sports betting licensing growth, and New York has topped $1 billion in sports wagering revenue for 2023. FanDuel TV's new 'Cousin Sal' shows have joined the crowded NFL landscape, and a separate panel discussion stressed the importance of regulators collaborating on best practices to promote responsible gambling.
Personal stories of individuals addicted to gambling have been shared this week, including those connected to EPIC Risk Management and New York state Sen. Joseph Addabbo. These stories serve as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices in the industry.
[1] American Gaming Association. (2023). State of the States: Sports Betting 2023. Retrieved from https://www.americangaming.org/resources/state-of-the-states-sports-betting-2023 [2] Maryland Matters. (2023). Maryland Lawmaker Wants to Expand Retail Sports Betting. Retrieved from https://marylandmatters.org/2023/09/01/maryland-lawmaker-wants-to-expand-retail-sports-betting/ [3] National Council on Problem Gambling. (2023). Model State Policy for Sports Wagering. Retrieved from https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Model-State-Policy-for-Sports-Wagering-2022.pdf [4] The Action Network. (2023). The Action Network NFL Player Props Tracker. Retrieved from https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/player-props-tracker [5] National Conference of State Legislatures. (2023). Sports Betting. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/research/finance/sports-betting.aspx
- The American Gaming Association, in a bid to promote responsible gambling, has designated September as Responsible Gaming Education Month, aiming to raise awareness and encourage best practices.
- In Maryland, Maryland bettors have demonstrated a commitment to responsible gambling practices, as they managed to keep their hold under 10% in August.
- The NFL Week 1 reportedly resulted in the second-busiest week for sportsbook downloads ever, with prop betting seeing a 67% increase in bets tracked by The Action Network.
- Regulatory measures are being implemented to ensure a safe and responsible betting environment, with about two-thirds of commercial gaming jurisdictions requiring sports betting operators to establish and file formal responsible gaming plans.
- States like Maryland are proposing tighter controls on promotional free bets, as aggressive marketing may encourage risky gambling behavior.
- Personal stories of individuals addicted to gambling have been shared this week, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices in the industry.
