Sportsbook Giants Form Responsible Online Gaming Association Amid Increased Sports Betting, But How Far Will They Go to Protect Consumers?

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has been formed by seven of the largest U.S. sportsbooks, including FanDuel and DraftKings. The association aims to promote responsible gambling by sharing best practices and information about customers who have been banned from their platforms due to problematic betting behaviors.

This development is happening as Major League Baseball and the NBA investigate high-profile betting scandals involving athletes. Americans legally wagered nearly $120 billion on sports in 2023, a significant increase of 28% from the previous year, according to the American Gaming Association. The rise of sports betting is also impacting fan engagement, with people watching games until the end to see if they win money or lose it.

Kenneth Shropshire, a sports business expert at Wharton, emphasized the importance of addressing perceptions surrounding irresponsible gambling and addiction, as well as athlete betting scandals that can tarnish the integrity of sports. The formation of ROGA is an effort to enhance consumer confidence in the industry.

Economist Victor Matheson from the College of the Holy Cross pointed out that while ROGA’s members aim to promote responsible gambling, their main goal is to maximize revenue. By implementing internal rules, they may be seeking to preempt stricter regulations from state governments. Through this partnership, these companies are walking a fine line between profitability and ethical responsibility.

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In conclusion, ROGA’s formation represents an attempt by major U.S. sportsbooks to address problematic behavior among gamblers while also promoting profitability for themselves through internal rules implementation. It remains unclear how successful ROGA will be in achieving both goals simultaneously without stricter regulations from state governments potentially hindering their efforts.

It is crucial for consumers who engage in online gaming activities to understand the risks associated with gambling and seek professional help if necessary