Responsible Gambling Accreditation
International Game Technology (IGT) has become the first gaming supplier to achieve responsible gaming accreditation for its land-based casino and lottery segments from the Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4).
RG Check – The most comprehensive Responsible Gambling Accreditation program in the world. RG Check is the most comprehensive responsible gambling accreditation program in the world. Gambling operators know it’s important to have a social license to operate when it comes to successfully conducting their business within or across jurisdictions. We are approved assessors for the World Lottery Association’s Level 4 Responsible Gambling accreditation. We are the auditors for the National Council on Problem Gambling's iCAP accreditation scheme for online gambling. These assessments cover important areas including: depth and quality of employee and retailer training.
G4 aims to minimise the impact of problem gambling and related issues by promoting a global accreditation program for operators and suppliers in the gaming sector.
Applicants for a casino license submit a responsible gaming plan as part of their application, and casino operators obtain accreditation for responsible gaming practices; casino licenses will be awarded through a competitive selection process, overseen by a designated committee whose members have experience in business finances and operations. RG Check is an internationally recognized accreditation program created by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) that evaluates the gaming venue’s responsible gambling efforts and standards. Currently, the majority of Great Canadian gaming venues have received RG Check accreditation. ICAP is the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program that verifies internet gambling sites against the NCPG Internet Responsible Gambling Standards (IRGS). NCPG developed the IRGS based on best practices in online responsible gaming from jurisdictions around the world.
Responsible Gambling Accreditation Definition
To obtain certification, G4 independently assesses companies to establish if the firm complies with its requirements of providing responsible gaming tools on gaming machines and systems.
These include reality checks on the game screen such as time clocks and wager amounts, as well as session limits and responsible gaming information screens.
“IGT has successfully proven its commitment to responsible gaming by integrating effective features in its products that assist operators with minimising harm and preventing problem gambling,”G4 board member Pieter Remmers said.
“We commend IGT for its leadership, and congratulate the company for being the first vendor to receive G4 accreditation for its land-based casino and lottery segments.”
Renato Ascoli, chief executive, North America gaming and interactive at IGT, added: “IGT partners with gaming operators around the world to provide innovative technology and services, and it's our responsibility to create solutions that help our customers protect their players.
Responsible Gambling Accreditation Act
“IGT prides itself as an industry pioneer, and the G4 certification allows us to transparently demonstrate our leadership in this important topic.”
Related article: ALEA acquires LadyLucks.co.uk from IGT
NASPL-NCPG RGV (Responsible Gambling Verification) Program for Lottery Organizations
Almost half the lotteries in the US have completed this program, which requires a letter of interest as the first step to be selected for the next round of assessments. For more information, please contact Semhar Abed at NCPG SemharA@ncpgambling.org or Andrew White at NASPL awhite@nasplhq.org.
This standards and verification program was created in order to help lotteries plan and implement effective responsible gambling in all aspects of their operations, and recognize those that do it well. An additional goal of the program is to educate lottery executives, employees and the public about responsible gambling measures that are possible within lottery operations as well as the spectrum of problem gambling behavior and treatment.
Recognizing that some lotteries have a larger staff or perhaps have been involved in responsible gambling longer, the program offers three different levels and uses a process improvement model. For lotteries that have completed a WLA certification, this program offers a Parallel Verification Process (PVP) that greatly reduces duplicative effort. Each level facilitates access to national experts in the field.
The Planning Level is for lotteries that want to establish a responsible gambling program but haven’t felt like they had the expertise to do so. Lottery staff provide documentation on their current or planned progams to NCPG, which engages outside assessors. These experts review the documents and provide detailed responses, offering professional advice based on research and best practices in use by other US and even international lottery operators.
The Implementation Level is for lotteries that already have a responsible gambling program. The process is similar: they submit documents on their current and planned RG operations and NCPG engages expert outside assessors, who provide detailed responses on whether the program meets specific criteria and how these existing plans could be stronger.
The Sustaining Level is for lotteries that have completed the Implementation level and want to make their programs even stronger, taking them to the highest leadership level.
In addition to this technical assistance, the program gives public recognition to those lotteries that have created solid programs for RG and effectively implemented them.
Applicants are assessed on their demonstrated competence in the following areas:
–Overall planning
–Employee training
–Retailer training
–Public education and awareness
–Product oversight
–Research
–Advertising
–Resources
Please see the program guidelines for detailed information.
NASPL Insights Magazine October 2016 article provides further description of the program: insights-oct-2016-issue-rgv-article
Lotteries that have achieved verification as of February 2020
Implementation Level
- Connecticut Lottery (December 2016 – December 2019)
- Florida Lottery (September 2018 – September 2021)
- Georgia Lottery Corporation (September 2018 – September 2021)
- Kentucky Lottery Corporation (August 2016 – August 2019)
- Michigan Lottery (February 2020 – February 2023)
- Minnesota State Lottery (December 2016 – February 2021)
- North Carolina Education Lottery (August 2016 – August 2019)
- Ohio Lottery Commission (August 2017 – August 2020)
- Virginia Lottery (February 2020 – February 2023)
Planning Level
- Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (June 2019 – June 2021)
- District of Columbia Lottery (June 2019 – June 2021)
- Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (August 2017 – December 2020)
- Rhode Island (March 2017 – March 2019)
- Washington’s Lottery (June 2019 – June 2021)
Parallel Verification Process (PVP) recognizes the World Lottery Association certification. US lotteries who receive WLA Level 3 and 4 certifications are able to apply for RGV recognition:
- Hoosier Lottery (Indiana) WLA level 4 = RGV Sustaining February 2020 – February 2023
- Missouri Lottery WLA Level 4 = RGV Sustaining — February 2020 – February 2023
- Oregon Lottery WLA Level 4 = RGV Sustaining — February 2020 – February 2023
- Illinois Lottery WLA Level 3 = RGV Implementation March 2020 – December 2022
- Maryland Lottery WLA Level 3 = RGV Implementation February 2020 – February 2023
- Texas Lottery Commission WLA level (3) = RGV Implementation — September 2018 – February 2021
For more information, please contact Semhar Abed at NCPG SemharA@ncpgambling.org or Andrew White at NASPL awhite@nasplhq.org.
The North American State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) launched this responsible gambling verification program in 2016. It is currently available only to US-based lotteries.