Responsible Gambling
Definition: Set of social responsibility initiatives held by the gambling industry to promote awareness of gambling-related harms and ensure integrity of operations
Tools for Combating Addiction: Operators provide tools for players to restrict their own play, including customer-imposed limits and self-exclusion schemes
Prevention of Underage Gambling: Initiatives to prevent young people from gambling, including guidelines and codes of conduct by organizations like the American Gaming Association
Responsible gambling is a set of social responsibility initiatives held by the gambling industry, including government regulators, operators, and vendors, to ensure the integrity of their operations and to promote awareness of the harms associated with gambling, such as gambling addiction.Responsible gambling aims to minimize the negative impacts of gambling on individuals and society by promoting safe and healthy gambling practices, recognizing and managing the risks associated with gambling, and preventing underage gambling.
Gambling responsibly means taking breaks, not using gambling as a source of income, only gambling with money that you can afford to lose, and setting limits for yourself with time and money. Limit-setting is easier to do online because of built-in tools that allow gamblers to set their own limits, such as time limits or deposit limits. Casinos and other gambling establishments can practice responsible gambling by implementing policies and programs that promote safe and healthy gambling practices, such as self-exclusion programs, responsible gambling training programs for employees, and resources for individuals who may be struggling with problem gambling.
Responsible gambling is important because problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction, can have significant negative impacts on an individual’s life, including financial problems, relationship issues, legal problems, and health problems. Problem gambling can also have negative impacts on society as a whole, such as contributing to the development of gambling addiction in the community or leading to an increase in crime. If someone or someone they know struggles with problem gambling, they should call the helpline number for specific resources for assistance in their area, which is available 24/7 and is 100 percent confidential.
In summary, responsible gambling is a set of initiatives and practices aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of gambling on individuals and society. It involves promoting safe and healthy gambling practices, recognizing and managing the risks associated with gambling, and preventing underage gambling. Casinos and other gambling establishments can practice responsible gambling by implementing policies and programs that promote safe and healthy gambling practices, and individuals can gamble responsibly by taking breaks, not using gambling as a source of income, only gambling with money that they can afford to lose, and setting limits for themselves with time and money.