Leading U.S. sportsbooks form Responsible Online Gaming Association

A group of leading U.S. sportsbooks and gambling companies have joined forces to form the Responsible Online Gaming Association Wednesday. The ROGA will be led by Dr. Jennifer Shatley, President for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.

The coalition consists of DraftKings, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, BetMGM, bet365 and Hard Rock Digital. It states that its aim is to improve responsible gaming education through five key pillars: research, promoting responsible gaming best practices, consumer and industry responsible gaming education and awareness, independent data clearinghouse and independent certification.

"Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and maximize our efforts to support additional responsible gaming education and awareness," Dr. Shatley said in a statement about the formation of the coalition. "By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming."

News surrounding sports betting controversies have risen considerably in recent months, with scandals surrounding athletes (or their team) potentially wagering on themselves, their league or other sports.

MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara are immersed in a controversy surrounding $4.5 million dollars being sent from Ohtani's accounts to an illegal bookmaking operation.

NBA player Jontay Porter is under league investigation for irregularities regarding his prop betting markets in recent months.

Additionally, studies have shown that problem gambling issues are likely on the rise, an unsurprising result of the 2018 overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 9 million adult Americans suffer from gambling addiction, and that number may be increasing for younger adults and teenagers.

The independent data clearinghouse portion of the key pillars noted represents the most unique in relation to actions that have been done before. The pillar states that, "in close coordination with member companies, ROGA aims to create, via an independent clearinghouse, a database which will facilitate information sharing — allowing a mechanism for industry-wide protection of consumers."

A subjective evaluation of bettors' accounts and the sharing of that information among operators would be a first of its kind operation, and it may have consequences regarding the ability of sportsbooks to identify and limit winning bettors, a common practice in the industry.