AGA hosts Responsible Gaming Education Week event in Boston

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The American Gaming Association (AGA) commemorated Responsible Gaming Education Week in Boston with a panel discussion on the industry’s efforts to address problem gambling. The event highlighted AGA’s updated Code of Conduct, the Responsible Gaming Collaborative and the inroads Massachusetts has made prioritizing innovative and expansive responsible gaming initiatives. The panel included representatives from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, the National Center for Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming.

Responsible Gaming Education Week provides an opportunity to showcase the industry's year-round dedication to responsible gaming programs and is an important part of the industry's steadfast commitment to promoting responsible gaming. This is the second of two events held this week, with the first at the UNLV International Gaming Institute on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

To highlight the 21st anniversary of the industry’s Responsible Gaming Education Week, gaming operators and manufacturers across the United States are commemorating the industry’s responsible gaming efforts by holding dozens of local events and educational activities throughout the week.

“Responsible gaming is a top priority for the gaming industry,” said Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs of AGA. “As you heard today, we are committed to providing a safe gaming environment for our patrons, employees and communities. Every day, gaming industry leaders are working with manufacturers, thought leaders, educators and property owners to proactively address problem gambling. Together, we are maximizing our investment to promote responsible gaming and innovating how we approach the issue.”

Thursday’s panel in Boston included Stephen Crosby, chairman, Massachusetts Gaming Commission; Dr. Russell Sanna, executive director, National Center for Responsible Gaming; Alan Feldman, executive vice president, MGM Resorts International; Jim Baldacci, deputy chief compliance officer, Penn National Gaming; Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and president of the board of directors for the National Council on Problem Gambling; and Slane.

AGA’s Code of Conduct guides industry efforts to build a more cohesive dialogue on responsible gaming. The updated code expands its guidelines to include wagers on sports, as well as new advertising provisions to ensure casino and sports betting marketing is targeted to an age-appropriate demographic with tasteful content and reasonable frequency.