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The responsible gaming programs in the casino gaming sector in the United States are an integral element of daily operations. The primary objective of these initiatives is to promote the responsible use of gambling as a leisure activity by casino visitors. Its purpose is also to help MrCashback to identify legit and established casino sites.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has compiled, as of August 31, 2024, the responsible gaming laws and regulations of the 34 states and the District of Columbia that offer commercial casinos, sports betting, or internet gaming. Involved parties, academics, legislators, and regulators can use it as a standard reference.
Notably, the gaming industry is committed to going above and above the minimum requirements outlined in this guide to promote responsible gaming and treat problem gambling. Responsible gaming programs in the industry run in tandem with existing responsible gaming legislation at the state level. In addition to what is required by law or regulation, most gaming operators and suppliers also voluntarily establish comprehensive responsible gaming programs.
To date, 16 states have passed or proposed sports betting legislation or regulations that incorporate some form of responsible gaming provision since the previous update to the Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide in September 2019. Similarly, Connecticut and Michigan have authorized online gambling, while Nebraska and Virginia have permitted land-based commercial casino gaming. This resource sheds light on the developments in responsible gaming since 2019, including the addition of new states and their respective policies.
Responsible Gaming Regulations in the US
There are 35 commercial gaming jurisdictions with wildly different rules and regulations on responsible gambling.
Need for a Responsible Gaming Strategy
In 21 countries, gaming establishments and websites must present a comprehensive strategy for dealing with problem gambling for government authorization. Employee training and public awareness campaigns are standard mandatory components of such plans. Readers in jurisdictions that call for an overarching plan should research what information should be included in their blueprint.
Involuntary Participation in a Program of Exclusion
Operators in 34 different jurisdictions must implement self-exclusion systems that allow customers to block themselves from their establishment if they have a history of problem gambling. Exclusion periods and the processes for ending them vary by jurisdiction. Most countries have one central registry for self-exclusion, including players from everywhere they can gamble. Casinos and online gambling sites in states where self-exclusion is legal may be required to stop offering incentives or credit to people who have requested to be removed from the establishment’s marketing and credit programs.
Proper Property Disclaimer and Signage Regarding Responsible Gambling
There must be responsible gaming notices posted or disclosures made in 31 states and territories. Depending on the situation, this could mean requiring reliable gaming messages or a toll-free helpline number to be included in all forms of gaming promotion (print, billboards, or electronic media) and making available literature detailing the dangers of compulsive gambling.
Restriction on Advertisements
Thirty jurisdictions have established explicit restrictions on the forms or substance of advertising that are allowed. Advertising for gambling must adhere to strict regulations in many countries, including not misleading consumers or attempting to recruit children.
Time/Bet Restrictions
Twenty-five states and territories that allow online casinos, sports books, or digital wallet wagering at casinos mandate that players be given the option to set their limits on deposits, losses, wager amounts, and time spent gambling.
Credit Restriction for Residential Real Estate
There are currently 28 countries that prohibit or severely restrict using house credit when gambling at brick-and-mortar casinos or betting on sports online. Credit advances from casino operators to customers may be outlawed entirely.
Limitations on Financial Instruments
In seventeen states and territories, casinos or internet gaming operators cannot accept deposits made with credit cards, government-issued cheques, or stored-value cards representing public benefits.
Funding for Both Treatment and Research
Twenty-eight countries and regions have formalized their dedication to addressing the issue of problem gambling by funding treatment programs, education programs, and scientific investigations. Most of these states use gambling tax income specifically to support such initiatives.
Instruction for Workers
Twenty states and territories mandate responsible gaming education for any casino employee who deals with consumers. Training in these areas may be required by law in your state, and it may be necessary to learn how to spot problematic or unsafe behavior in other players.
Limits on Drinking Ages
Eighteen states and territories mandate that casinos stop serving alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor or bar visibly drunk customers from using the casino’s gambling services.
States frequently enact additional rules or regulations for responsible gambling outside the above categories. Operators may be required under responsible gaming legislation to verify that players do not owe back child support or to contribute to creating responsible gaming initiatives on a state level.
Gambling Under US Federal Law
There has been a massive expansion of the gaming and gambling industries in the United States. Over the past decade, most states have increased their allowance of casino-style activities, regulated sports betting, and state-run lotteries. Online gambling in the United States has seen meteoric growth, and Native American casinos are establishing at a dizzying rate.
Gambling was once outlawed across most of the United States continental territory, except Nevada and New Jersey. Gambling establishments, including Indian casinos, bingo parlors, poker rooms, and off-track betting on horse races, were initially outlawed in many states.
Still, this situation has changed rapidly in recent decades. Some forms of gambling, such as online gambling, remain “illegal” even though they have been legalized in some areas. To gamble is to risk legal trouble in nearly every state in the USA.
Regular gamblers in the United States who are curious about the legality of launching a fantasy football league, home poker game, or office NCAA tournament betting pool should familiarize themselves with the relevant US gambling regulations.
Many previous US gambling laws have been updated as of this writing. When it comes to casinos and, in certain circumstances, online gambling sites, the federal government has long taken a hard stance against the practice.
Still, individual US states are beginning to legalize it under certain conditions. Las Vegas and Atlantic City were the only US cities to legalize gambling, but now more states have followed suit. These include Iowa, Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Indiana.