The extraordinary, ongoing expansion of gaming into new forms across multiple states demands that lawmakers take necessary steps to protect their most vulnerable citizens.
State lawmakers with the non-partisan National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) unanimously approved a 16-point resolution to help states develop robust responsible gaming standards.
The resolution was adopted during the non-profit organization’s Summer Meeting in Denver earlier this month. It was championed by Indiana Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute), who currently serves as NCLGS president and chairs the organization’s Responsible Gaming Committee.
“Gaming in the United States is authorized and regulated at the state level, but states need guidance as gaming grows,” Ford said in a statement on July 14. “This two-year effort by legislators is the first to leverage what we have learned for the benefit of our members as they grapple with this critical need.”
West Virginia Del. Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio), president-elect of NCLGS, concurred. “The extraordinary, ongoing expansion of gaming into new forms across multiple states demands that lawmakers take necessary steps to protect their most vulnerable citizens. This resolution will help them meet that critical goal.”
Addressing problem gambling is at the top of the agenda for all of us at NCLGS. We urge all states that offer gaming to consider the guidance offered in this historic resolution.
Connecticut Rep. Christie Carpino (R-Cromwell), Vice President at the organization, added, “Addressing problem gambling is at the top of the agenda for all of us at NCLGS. We urge all states that offer gaming to consider the guidance offered in this historic resolution.”
NCLGS said the research that went into developing the resolution took over two years. More than 50 people — including legislators, regulators, gaming industry professionals, clinicians, and community-based practitioners — participated in the effort by providing their input, according to the organization.
The organization, the only one of its kind where lawmakers from various states meet on a regular basis to discuss gaming issues, made the first of its 16 suggestions a direct appeal for states to take a holistic approach to responsible gaming and problem gambling.
That approach should include “a combination of prevention and harm reduction, public awareness, intervention and treatment, research, and adequate funding that address the specific measured needs of that state or jurisdiction and ensure all services are affordable, effective, and accessible for citizens who need them.”
Among the other 15 suggestions in its resolution, NCLGS urged states to:
- Adopt one accredited national problem gambling helpline number (No. 10)
- Implement advertising guidelines to ensure marketing is targeted only toward individuals of legal gambling age and is not distributed to consumers most at risk for gambling problems (No. 11)
- Enact responsible gaming policies that enable consumers to discontinue play, either temporarily or permanently, and to offer self-exclusion programs with multiple options for the duration of a voluntary ban (No. 6)
- Coordinate amongst themselves to ensure that individuals on a self-exclusion list in one state are prevented from gambling in another state (No. 7)
Ford oversaw the vote on the resolution by the NCLGS Executive Committee. Back home, Ford has been a key player in helping to advance the cause of iGaming expansion in Indiana — the last effort culminating in a failed effort to pass a bill to authorize online poker in February.
The entire 16-point resolution has been posted to www.nclgs.org.
