The American Gaming Association spotlights industry commitment to responsible gaming

This September marked the gaming industry’s 28th Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM). Every year it serves as a moment to review, refresh and continue the industry’s shared commitment to responsible play.

Importance of RGEM

The month spotlights the foundation of responsibility on which the industry was built. The legal gaming industry has been setting high standards for more than 30 years, ensuring responsible gaming practices evolve alongside industry growth.

For industry operators, suppliers and developers alike, RGEM is a moment to continue the commitment to developing new games, resources and programs that are responsible by design. It’s also a springboard for new campaigns that promote gaming literacy, elevate and renew employee training, deepen partnerships, and advance our understanding of and research into responsible gambling.

For players, it’s a time to reflect on how they engage with gaming, and ensure they’re playing smart and for fun.

Investing in responsibility

Gaming continues to be welcomed into communities because we operate responsibly and give back through investments and taxes that support local priorities. The industry also continues to be the primary funder of responsible gaming research, problem gambling support and awareness campaigns.

• Operators alone invest nearly $500m annually in responsible gaming programs and initiatives
• The gaming industry pays nearly $130m in state taxes annually that go towards problem gambling services

These investments demonstrate the industry’s shared commitment to preserving and protecting consumers, communities and the future of the industry.

Accountability within the state and Tribal market

Legal gaming operates within state and Tribal frameworks overseen by 8,400 regulators nationwide. Licensed operators must follow strict requirements ranging from age verification – which in most states is 21 – to geolocation, anti-money laundering and rigorous responsible gaming programs. These safeguards are fundamental to the trust with regulators, policymakers and communities for decades.

By contrast, illegal offshore operators and so-called “prediction markets” are not held to the same safeguards and requirements, because they operate outside of the intended state and Tribal regulatory frameworks. By offering illegal casino games and sports betting to US consumers without regulatory oversight, these operators expose consumers to unnecessary financial and personal risk including fraud, underage gambling and unfair practices. 

As Congress intended, legal gaming operates safely and responsibly under state and Tribal oversight. The American Gaming Association (AGA) and the gaming industry work diligently every day, to protect and preserve the state and tribal gaming system and its consumers.

Play smart from the start

Last year, the AGA released Play Smart from the Start, a research-backed responsible gaming platform designed to meet players where they are and provide positive messaging and tools that encourage responsible play. We continue to highlight this program throughout the year, especially during RGEM.
This platform empowers players to make choices that keep gaming fun by:

•  Playing with the right state of mind: Start every game with the right mindset – stay present, know your limits, and play on your terms
•  Acting Intentionally: Take a pause to stay in control – set a budget, take breaks and stay aware
•  Know the Rules: Load up on knowledge to level up your play – know the rules, understand the odds and bet with intention, so that you have fun whether you win or lose

This effort continues to be integrated across the industry alongside individualized responsible gaming programs like MGM’s GameSense, Aristocrat’s KnowYourMax and Playtech Protect. It’s critical that consumers see consistent messaging that encourages positive and smart play.

Responsibility year round

Every September, we celebrate Responsible Gaming Education Month. The state and Tribal-regulated gaming industry operates, promotes and builds on our commitment to responsibility year-round. September provides a spotlight for our industry to showcase the evergreen programs that are woven into everything that we do.
New programs, partnerships and promises made this month represent the shared commitment that the industry strengthens for the years to come. RGEM 2026 may be over, but responsibility is a part of gaming every day.