FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     

July 14, 2023


NCLGS Helps States Develop Effective Responsible Gaming Standards

 

DENVER – The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution to help states develop robust responsible gaming standards.

NCLGS President Sen. Jon Ford of Indiana, who chairs the Responsible Gaming Committee, led the effort and oversaw the vote by the NCLGS Executive Committee.


“Gaming in the United States is authorized and regulated at the state level, but states need guidance as gaming grows. 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,” Ford said.


NCLGS President-Elect Shawn Fluharty, Delegate of West Virginia, noted: “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,” said NCLGS Vice President Christie Carpino, Representative of Connecticut.


Research in developing the resolution spanned more than two years, with more than 50 legislators, regulators, industry professionals, clinicians, and community-based practitioners providing input.


The NCLGS resolution includes the following suggestions:


  1. One accredited national problem gambling helpline number within all jurisdictions;
  2. State or jurisdictional advertising guidelines to ensure that marketing is targeted only to those who are of legal age to gamble, that marketing follows standards not to offer content, themes, and promotions that have special appeal to those consumers most at risk for gambling problems, and to ensure there are programs that audit and monitor the content of third-party marketing affiliates;
  3. Policies and programs that enable customers to discontinue their play temporarily or permanently through exclusion programs from gaming activities statewide and across multiple jurisdictions with multiple term lengths;
  4. Coordination of gambling exclusion lists to prevent people with gambling problems and others on exclusion lists from problematic play in other states.

 

The entire resolution will be posted at www.nclgs.org


The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) is the only organization of state lawmakers that meets on a regular basis to discuss issues in regard to gaming. Members of NCLGS chair or are members of committees responsible for the regulation of gaming in their state legislative houses. NCLGS does not promote or oppose gaming but is primarily concerned with the proper regulation of the industry.


NCLGS chair or are members of committees responsible for the regulation of gaming in their state legislative houses. NCLGS does not promote or oppose gaming but is primarily concerned with the proper regulation of the industry.


NCLGS is a proactive participant in educating legislators on gaming issues, in the development of public policy related to state-authorized gaming, and, where consensus exists, in representing the states before Congress and the executive branch of the federal government on states’ rights issues relating to gaming.


NCLGS is structured to include committees on lotteries; pari-mutuels; casinos; responsible gaming; and state-federal relations focusing on Indian gaming issues, and telephone and internet wagering.


NCLGS meetings provide information on cutting-edge gaming issues such as sports betting and e-sports that legislators need to know. NCLGS programs include balanced panel presentations that offer opposing views.

 

NCLGS Media Contact: Sherry Amos

609-703-1947

[email protected]




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