MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have renewed their partnership with the American Gaming Association to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month in the US in September.
As part of the collaboration, the GameSense responsible gaming program will be promoted at NFL stadiums “more often and in more prominent venue locations during each game”, providing “positive, transparent and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly”.
GameSense messaging will be promoted at: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos), Ford Field (Detroit Lions), GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans), State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).
MGM Resorts and BetMGM had a similar responsible gaming partnership with the AGA in place at NFL stadiums during RGEM last year.
“We’re excited to bring responsible gaming initiatives directly to fans in these NFL venues again this season,” commented Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM.
“We are setting a new standard for safety and awareness in the industry. At BetMGM, we believe that protecting our players and promoting responsible play is essential to the future of sports betting.”
In the coming months, BetMGM will air advertisements with its brand ambassadors sharing engaging messaging similar to its responsible gaming commercial featuring NHL star Connor McDavid.
MGM Resorts is also contributing $440,000 to fund responsible gaming research through the International Center for Responsible Gaming and Kindbridge Research Institute, which aims to “advance industry best practices and fill significant research gaps on under-studied populations, including women military Veterans”.
Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, noted: “The importance of responsible gaming research funding cannot be overstated.
“As a gaming industry leader, it’s imperative that our company supports efforts to better understand the diverse impact gambling has on various populations, including those that may be at greater risk of developing problematic behaviours.”
During RGEM, MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to raise employee awareness of responsible gaming via extensive training.
MGM Resorts’ GameSense advisor program has recently certified more than 500 customer-facing employees, while BetMGM training will include education for VIP staff, in addition to advancing responsible gaming through lived experiences with its EPIC Global Solutions partnership.
GameSense messaging will also be prominently displayed on table games throughout the operator’s properties across the US, with similar messaging on all slot machines, 8,000 of which will feature QR codes for responsible gaming information and education materials.
MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas marquees and more than 35,000 screens across the company’s portfolio will display responsible gaming tips, while improved responsible gaming tools will be released on the BetMGM platform, designed to help players “manage their budgets, stay within their limits and promote a responsible and sustainable entertainment experience”.
MGM Resorts and BetMGM also continue their partnership with the AGA’s ‘Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.’ public service campaign to educate new and seasoned bettors on responsible sports wagering.
“Collaboration is integral to strengthening our collective responsibility efforts,” added Joe Maloney, SVP of Strategic Communications for the American Gaming Association.
“Both in their work with the AGA and throughout the legal, regulated gaming industry, MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue to be leaders in forming innovative partnerships that are advancing responsible gaming in meaningful ways.”
There was disappointment felt from online operators in India as the 54th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council ended with no changes made to the 28% GST levy.
Increasing the levy last October, which was previously at 18%, has caused significant disruption to the Indian gaming sector and led to widespread criticism from the sector.
The rise was officially implemented in January by regional state governor Arif Mohammed Khan and has been felt across the gambling space including casino.
It has also led to calls from the industry for it to be transitioned into a tax on Gross Gaming Revenue rather than deposits, in a bid to secure stability for the industry. However, these have been dismissed by the governance in the region.
The changes have forced some major operators like Superbet, the parent company of Betway, to hastily exit the market.
Superbet stated upon departing the market: “The newly effective tax rules make the Indian market no longer commercially viable for Super Group.”
Neal Menashe, CEO of Super Group, added at the time: “We are continuously evaluating evolving regulatory landscapes across the many markets we serve.
“Informed by years of operating our geographically diverse business, we remain confident about the long-term growth opportunities in front of us.”
In order to compare the current tax regime with the economic landscape in previous years, Ernst & Young (EY) and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) published a report showcasing that India’s gambling sector attracted over $2.6bn in investments in 2019.
The analysis then adds that there has been no capital raised from domestic or global investors since the 28% GST tax was signed into force almost a year ago. At the latest GST Council meeting however, Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Corporate Affairs, justified the levy’s adoption with the apparent increase in revenue from online gambling, which she said jumped by 412% to Rs 6,909 Crore (£628m) in the six months after the new tax threshold was introduced (November-April).
