American Gaming Association
Impulsive Gambling – How the UK & Non GamStop Casinos Deal With It
Online gambling got birthed in 1994 when Antigua and Barbuda decided to pass the Free Trade and Processing Act. However, it took two years before the world’s first online casino (InterCasino) appeared, thanks to internet payment technology developed by its operator CryptoLogic. In the 1990s and the 2000s, Americans could only enjoy online casino entertainment for real money at offshore platforms. That all changed in 2013, when the Nevada Gaming Commission granted 888 Casino a license, making it the first Interactive Gaming Service Provider active in any US jurisdiction. That same year, this brand also made its presence known in New Jersey, the top US online gambling market.
Following the global events that began to unfold in early 2020, many US states are now looking to create new tax revenues to plug budget shortfalls. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is to legalize online gambling. When it comes to sports betting, almost everyone is passing such laws, with many territories also exploring the option to make online casino gaming a reality for their residents. With this occurrence, concerns come about a potential rise in gambling addiction rates in the US. Thus, many are looking to Europe’s most established interactive gaming market to draw lessons on how they can curb problem gambling. What follows below is an in-depth look at how UK’s mandatory self-exclusion scheme named GamStop operates and how foreign, non GamStop Casinos stop their users from developing a compulsion towards online betting or nourishing such a preexisting condition.
UKGC’s Partnership With GamStop
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is Britain’s gaming regulator. It took over this role from the Gaming Board for Great Britain in 2007, as detailed in the Gambling Act of 2005. It monitors all forms of gambling that happen within the UK’s borders, except for spread betting. For years, the UKGC had planned on implementing a mandatory self-exclusion scheme featured at every one of its licensed operators. Intentions for such a system to go live got announced in 2017. Yet, it took three more years before it became active under the title GamStop. It gets operated by a not-for-profit organization that bears the name The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited. Once a UK player activates a GamStop ban, he can no longer visit and play at any UKGC site until his chosen self-exclusion period elapses.
The UKGC has a renowned reputation as the firmest interactive gaming regulator in Europe. It looks after all UK players by supplying unparalleled player protection. It goes so far as to make every UKGC-licensed operator implement measures like spin timers, game limitations, no auto-play, and more, to lower the rates of gambling addiction in Britain. Slots sites not on GamStop offer more liberating gameplay due to them not having to feature any of these measures.
How Non GamStop Casinos Function
The list of casinos not on GamStop is immense because these are platforms with a license from an international regulator and not the UKGC. The UK Gambling Commission only monitors a little over a hundred sites active on the UK market. The other gaming platforms available for Brits are slot and bingo sites not on GamStop, which are of comparable quality but boast foreign licenses. One such famous interactive gaming licensing organization is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Malta is Europe’s online gambling haven, and every operator that seeks to offer its services to residents of countries with no online gaming legislation attains an MGA license to do so.
The Malta Gaming Authority is a reliable regulator and enforces many of the same measures as the UKGC. However, it is not as diligent as the previously mentioned organization. Nor is it as firm in punishing its operators. That said, many UK players prefer to play on old and new non GamStop casinos found on websites like this because these platforms offer more promotions, games, have higher max bet limits, and feature more liberating gameplay.
GamStop Platforms vs. Non GamStop Casinos
Under the hood, UK-based and non-UK sites have multiple similarities. That is so because they use many identical software solutions. Still, they differ in some areas, mainly due to the UKGC’s concerns regarding impulse control and betting. It wants to keep betting an entertainment-based activity, nothing more. That said, no one platform category is better than the other. They each have their benefits and drawbacks, some of which get listed below.
Pros of UK-Based Sites
- Super vetted operators.
- Universal self-exclusion.
- Slot gameplay is less intense.
- Third-party dispute resolution such as IBAS.
Cons of UK-Based Sites
- Less generous promotions.
- No niche transaction methods on hand.
- Irreversible self-exclusion bans.
Positives of Non GamStop Casinos.
- Vaster game libraries.
- No slot gameplay limitations.
- More payment methods on offer.
- Perk-rich VIP programs.
Negatives of Non UK Casinos
- Dispute resolution per foreign laws.
- Availability to debt accumulation payment methods (credit cards).
- No universal conditions apply to all operators.
What Gambling Addiction Measures Does the US Market Need?
Hopefully, something similar to GamStop would be perfect. However, there is no federal body that can oversee the implementation of such a program. The only two organizations that can start an initiative regarding such a nationwide scheme are the American Gaming Association and the National Council on Problem Gambling (United States). One of these entities could create such a database and offer voluntary participation to all online gambling operators that provide their services from a US jurisdiction.
Sadly, they cannot force gambling sites to implement such a scheme. But, if lobbies and authorities put pressure on the most popular online casino brands in the nation to participate, that could cause a ripple effect. Smaller, less-established gaming companies would not want to risk appearing less reliable to customers by not taking part in such a system, thus leading to it spreading nationwide. Of course, it would take some time for such an idea to come to fruition. There are still ongoing debates on the precise DOJ interpretation of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961. Does it allow US states to pass their legalization regarding online casinos or not?
To Wrap Up
There is no doubt that the US online casino market will soon explode. When it does, operators will have to take appropriate steps to ensure that everyone engages in this pastime responsibly. A GamStop-like program seems like a quality first step. Even non GamStop casinos promote responsible gambling by allowing everyone to set loss/deposit limits and site self-exclude. US online casinos offer that as well, but there is a need for state-wide and nation-wide anti-gambling addiction measures to stop the proliferation of gambling-related harm. The future of the US market is bright, and everyone in it should do their part to ensure that gambling remains fun.
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The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the 2025 inductees into the Gaming Hall of Fame, recognizing three individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:
• David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
• Ann Simmons Nicholson, Founder and CEO, Simmons Group
• Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Hard Rock Gaming, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.
“The Gaming Hall of Fame honors the visionaries who’ve shaped today’s gaming industry. David, Ann, and Charlie have each made lasting contributions to the growth, integrity, and leadership of legal gaming, and we’re proud to recognize their impact,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
“This year’s inductees reflect the strength, diversity, and expertise that define our industry. The Gaming Hall of Fame honors leaders whose careers exemplify excellence and enduring influence – and these three couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said AGA Chairman Mike Rumbolz (Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2022).
Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2025 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this October.
This year’s selection committee members include:
• Mike Palm, VP, Operations, Circa Resorts
• Anika Howard, CEO, Wondr Nation
• Ryan Comstock, COO, Ainsworth and Chair, AGEM
• Debi Nutton, Industry Consultant and Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2024
• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming
• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA
• Lauren Bates, VP, Sales, Light & Wonder and Chair, Global Gaming Women
• Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute
• Mike Rumbolz, Chairman, AGA
About the 2025 Inductees
David Berman, Co-Head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and Global Head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure
David Berman has more than three decades of experience in gaming mergers & acquisitions and capital markets, having led more than 100 mergers & acquisitions worth more than $125 billion and helped clients raise more than $215 billion in debt and equity. He founded REGAL Capital Advisors, a gaming-focused advisory firm acquired by Macquarie in 2011, and previously held senior roles at Credit Suisse, CIBC World Markets, and Oppenheimer & Co. Berman currently serves on the Board of Leaders at USC’s Marshall School of Business and is Treasurer of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation.
Ann Simmons Nicholson, CEO and founder of Simmons Group
Ann Simmons Nicholson is an expert in strategic planning and organizational consulting. Over her 40-year career, she has worked with nearly every major gaming company, supporting more than 60 property openings, expansions, and acquisitions. Her expertise spans human capital strategy, leadership development, organizational culture, and executive coaching, and her firm has provided training to more than 27,000 gaming professionals globally. A dedicated community leader and advocate, she has served on board including United Way of Southern Nevada, Global Gaming Women, and Noah’s Animal House.
Charles Lombardo, Former Senior Vice President of Gaming Operations at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, and former Senior Vice President of Slot Operations for Caesars Palace, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas
With more than 50 years of experience in slot operations and game innovation, Charles Lombardo has helped define the modern casino experience. He has held senior leadership roles at Caesars Palace, Bally’s, Paris Las Vegas, and Seminole Gaming, where he led the development of Class II and III gaming standards, pioneered groundbreaking slot technologies, and helped shape state and tribal regulatory frameworks. Today, he continues to consult on game development and casino openings and serves as a special gaming advisor to Seminole Gaming. Lombardo was the first-ever inductee into the Eilers Hall of Fame for Slot Operations.
The post AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
American Gaming Association
AGA Launches “Play Smart from the Start” Consumer Hub to Help Players Game Responsibly
The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the launch of the Play Smart Consumer Hub, a new online resource designed to help consumers game responsibly. The hub builds on AGA’s Play Smart from the Start, a messaging platform that encourages players to make informed choices and develop habits that keep gaming fun.
“The AGA is committed to making responsible gaming a seamless part of the player experience. Part of the fun of gaming is that everyone plays differently, but no matter how or where you play, staying in control starts with habits that work for you. The Play Smart Consumer Hub provides players with straightforward, actionable tools to help them stay in control and keep gaming fun,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the AGA.
Grounded in player research, Play Smart from the Start centers around three key principles:
• Right State of Mind: Start every game with the right mindset—stay present, know your limits, and play on your terms.
• Know the Game: Understand the rules, odds, and bet with intention.
• Act Intentionally: Set a budget, take breaks, and stay aware, win or lose.
The Play Smart Consumer Hub offers practical tools, including:
• A Pre-Play Checklist to help players assess their mindset and set personal limits before betting.
• A Know the Game section that demystifies odds, house advantage, and common sports betting terms.
• A Responsible Gaming IQ Quiz that allows players to evaluate their gaming habits.
• Easy access to support resources like the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and state self-exclusion options.
In addition to the consumer tools, the platform also features an Industry Toolkit, providing operators and other stakeholders with resources, including messaging guidance, creative assets, customer communications and activation ideas to support the integration of consistent, responsible gaming programs.
“Whether an operator or supplier is building a new responsible gaming program or looking to refresh existing efforts, this toolkit makes it easy to deliver consistent, player-first messaging across every customer touchpoint,” Miller said.
The Play Smart Consumer Hub is now live at playsmartfromthestart.org.
The post AGA Launches “Play Smart from the Start” Consumer Hub to Help Players Game Responsibly appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally wager $3.1 billion on the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2024. This growth underscores the expanding legal sports betting market and the growing trust in legal wagering options.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in American sports, with fans fired up for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said AGA SVP of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
Throughout the month of March, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.
campaign will serve important messages to fans, encouraging responsible sports betting. The campaign promotes five key principles:
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to it.
- Keep it Social: Betting should be a form of entertainment shared with others.
- Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning.
- Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms.
- Keep Your Cool: The result of a bet – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials online or in-person.
“‘Keep Your Cool,’ our newest ‘Have A Game Plan’ principle, is all about keeping betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes,” Maloney added.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., offering consumers safe and regulated options to engage with their favorite sports. Americans’ support for legal sports betting continues to grow. According to the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey, 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
For more information on responsible sports betting, visit www.haveagameplan.org.
The post Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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