Operator News
US – AGA report shows 90 per cent of casino visitors practice responsible gambling
By Phil - 13 February 2019
With American acceptance of gaming at an all-time high, casino gamblers are actively practicing responsible gaming, according to new research released today by the American Gaming Association (AGA). Bettors report setting budgets, sticking to them and being aware of available responsible gaming resources at significantly high rates.
According to the research 9 in 10 casual bettors set a budget before they visit a casino; 90 per cent of those visitors report success in tracking their spending; and 8 in 10 casual casino visitors and 9 in 10 avid casino visitors are aware of responsible gaming resources.
“Responsible gaming is our industry’s top priority,” said Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “This research indicates that our unwavering commitment to responsibility is resonating with our customers. But success in this key area will never mean our work is done, and we look forward to continuing to work with gaming regulators, our partners in the fight against problem gambling and our employees to ensure customers continue to engage in this form of mainstream entertainment responsibly.”
This research comes on the heels of a recent AGA study that highlighted continued growth in acceptance of gaming. That research indicates that 88% of American adults view gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment. Americans also have a positive view of the industry’s role as a community partner, with 80 per cent of people recognizing gaming’s role as a job creator, and 6 in 10 Americans believing casinos help their local economies.
“Gaming has made great strides over the past few years with the public increasingly recognizing our industry as the community partner and economic driver we know it to be,” continued Mr. Miller. “I look forward to working with our members and all interested stakeholders to build upon this great momentum in the years to come.”
The US gaming industry commits more than $300 million to responsible gaming annually, supporting education, training and rehabilitation programs across the country.
Last year, AGA launched the Responsible Gambling Collaborative, convening a renowned group of thought leaders, stakeholders and academics to chart a new course on the complex issue of responsible gaming.
AGA members adhere to the association’s Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct which guides industry commitments to responsible gaming and is updated annually to reflect new developments and industry innovations. In 2018, AGA updated the Code to enhance provisions on sports betting and responsible advertising.
