In a significant move to bolster responsible gaming practices across the U.S. online betting sector, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has announced a partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) to launch a new certification program. The initiative is designed to provide independent, evidence-based validation of operators’ efforts in player protection, marking a shift towards more robust, voluntary standards that go beyond state-mandated requirements.
With ROGA representing around 90% of the legal sports betting market in the U.S. by handle, this certification program stands to have a far-reaching impact. The framework will assess participating operators on a range of key criteria, including self-exclusion protocols, player support systems, marketing standards, and employee training related to responsible gambling.
“A sustainable online gaming industry must be built on evidence-based best practices, and this partnership with RGC will advance this mission by building a trusted and independent assessment to certify robust responsible gaming standards,” said Dr. Jennifer Shatley, Executive Director of ROGA.
Setting a New Standard for Player Protection
The collaboration marks the latest development in ROGA’s ongoing effort to strengthen industry practices. The organization began soliciting proposals for this certification framework earlier this year, and after an extensive review, selected RGC as its vendor.
RGC, a nonprofit with more than four decades of experience in responsible gambling research, prevention, and accreditation, will lead the development and implementation of the certification model. Its existing RG Check accreditation program—already used globally across land-based and online gambling environments—will serve as a foundation for this U.S.-focused initiative.
“We are proud to work with ROGA in setting a new benchmark for responsible gambling in the online space. The new certification program will build on years of evidence-based work and experience building RG Check as a trusted standard,” said Sarah McCarthy, CEO of RGC.
What the Certification Will Cover
The upcoming program will evaluate how well operators implement player safeguarding mechanisms and measure their effectiveness. Beyond checking for compliance, the certification seeks to reward companies that push for continual improvement in responsible gaming practices.
Key components of the certification include:
- Tools for player self-exclusion and control
- Training programs for customer-facing staff
- Ethical marketing practices
- Access to player assistance and behavioral analytics
Though initially developed for ROGA members—which include major operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, Bet365, PENN, Bally’s, and Hard Rock—the program is expected to open to non-members in the future, with more details to be released once the framework is finalized.
Continued Evolution in ROGA’s Responsible Gaming Policies
This partnership is the latest in a series of moves by ROGA to promote safer gaming environments. Earlier this year, ROGA introduced updated guidelines for VIP player programs, recommending additional safeguards like behavioral monitoring, training for hosts, and the prohibition of promotional offers to players in cool-off periods.
ROGA and RGC have previously collaborated on various responsible gambling initiatives, including joint research into player engagement tools and the Know Your Play campaign, a college-targeted awareness effort.
Source:
“Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) Selects Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) as Vendor for Certification Program”, responsibleonlinegaming.org, September 2, 2025
The post ROGA Taps RGC to Build New Responsible Gaming Certification for U.S. Operators first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.