But not everyone is happy with the current pace<\/a><\/strong>. And as states create new gambling laws or reopen previous gambling laws, there are calls for stronger responsible gaming policies, and problem gambling funding and treatment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is a great time to draw attention to this subject because March is\u00a0Problem Gambling Awareness Month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Up until the 2000s, the topics of responsible and problem gambling were, by and large, legislative afterthoughts. Actually, they were afterthoughts of afterthoughts.<\/p>\n The onus shouldn\u2019t fall entirely on the states. There was scant research into gambling addiction. While some states implemented token policies and funding<\/strong>, others ignored the matter entirely. Even now, reliable, conclusive problem gambling research is hard to come by.<\/p>\n More recently, states have done a better job and not just when it comes to funding. Some states are doing their own research.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, problem gambling initiatives in most gambling states are still woefully underfunded. However, they don\u2019t have to be. With all of the expansion efforts taking place, states have a golden opportunity to do things the right way\u00a0or correct previous mistakes.<\/p>\n Thanks to Massachusetts and New Jersey as well as efforts overseas, the roadmap is there.<\/p>\n Massachusetts is the runaway leader in the clubhouse when it comes to land-based responsible gambling policies.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the state benefitted from being late to the party. Massachusetts authorized casinos in 2011.<\/p>\n Mark Vander Linden<\/strong>, the director of research and problem gambling for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission<\/strong>, noted at NCLGS 2016<\/strong>, explained that MA was able to learn from predecessors mistakes and successes. That allowed the state to maximize the benefits of gaming while diminishing the harms.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re talking about the state\u2019s years-long research into the social and economic impact of casino gambling<\/strong>,<\/strong> the constant stream of white papers<\/strong><\/a> and commissions to study expanded gambling<\/strong>, or the two pilot programs \u2014\u00a0PlayMyWay and GameSense\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/strong>casinos are required to institute, Massachusetts is in a league of its own on the problem gambling front.<\/p>\n Massachusetts isn\u2019t the only state that\u2019s trying to move the needle when it comes to problem gambling research. New Jersey has established itself as the leader in online gambling responsible gaming policy.<\/p>\n When it legalized online gambling, the state commissioned a multi-year study<\/strong> to see what impact it would have on problem gambling in the state. The research grant went to Rutgers University<\/strong>, which has produced several papers on online and land-based gambling in the ensuing years.<\/p>\n A few examples include:<\/p>\n Like the US, Europe<\/strong> neglected the social harms of gambling for many years. But that\u2019s changing at a rapid pace across the continent.<\/p>\n In the last few years, several European countries have taken the bull by the horns. Advertisement crackdowns, strict limit caps on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), and a wide variety of newly enacted responsible gaming policies are just some of the changes countries like the UK<\/strong> and Sweden<\/strong> have adopted.<\/p>\n Last summer, the UK Gambling Commission<\/strong> adopted new rules that expanded what kind of advertising was permissible. Prior to the new rules, the UKGC could only fine operators for misleading ads. The new rules allow the watchdog group to impose fines for ads that glamorize gambling or promote the games to children.<\/p>\n Suffice it to say, the new regulations<\/strong><\/a> are robust\u00a0and are being enforced.<\/p>\n Since the new rules went into effect in October, operators have been slapped with some pretty hefty fines<\/strong><\/a> for a variety of offenses, including ads that would have previously gone unpunished.<\/p>\n The impact is already being felt, and in a rare case of self-regulation, operators saw the writing on the wall and reached a deal to restrict sports betting advertising voluntarily<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n CHUMBA ACCEPTS US PLAYERS & HAS REAL CASH PRIZES<\/p>\n<\/div>\nProblem gambling oversight that needs to be addressed<\/h2>\n
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The Massachusetts model<\/h2>\n
New Jersey takes the lead in the online arena<\/h2>\n
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A revelation for problem gambling in Europe<\/h2>\n
UK advertising restrictions<\/h3>\n
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