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ROGA and the Responsible Gambling Council have partnered up to launch a US certification program. This program is designed to set a new industry benchmark for online responsible gaming, and the official announcement was made on Sept. 2 at ROGA’s McLean, Virginia headquarters.
The idea behind the program is to evaluate critical areas promoting responsible gaming independently. These include self-exclusion, player support tools, staff training, and marketing practices. It also aims to identify operators that exceed minimum regulatory requirements.
ROGA represents roughly 90% of the legal US sports betting market by handle. With this amount of foothold, the initiative will have a broad reach across major operators.
Dr. Jennifer Shatley, ROGA’s executive director, said the partnership with RGC advances evidence-based best practices. She also added that it provides a trusted and independent assessment of responsible gaming standards.
Details of the Certification Program
The certification process evaluates online operators using a structured, data-driven process that examines the safeguards they have in place. The assessments will determine whether the proper policies are fully implemented or if they exist only on paper.
RGC has been operational for the last 40 years. In this new partnership, it will use its RG Check accreditation as a template. Thus, the organization will apply decades of accreditation and program development to the latest US standard.
The RGC Check has been designed to assess, track, and control the responsible gambling plan of an operator. With this collaboration, checks will be more flexible and dynamic as new evidence and technology come up.
RGC Chief Executive Officer Sarah McCarthy added that it will create a more transparent, accountable, and player-focused industry.
Industry Impact and Operator Involvement
The certification program will be implemented for the major members of ROGA, such as:
- Bet365 sportsbook
- BetMGM sportsbook
- DraftKings sportsbook
- FanDuel sportsbook
- Bally’s Corporation
- Fanatics Betting and Gaming
- Hard Rock Digital
- PENN Entertainment, the operator of ESPN Bet and theScore Bet
Together, these operators control about 90% of the legal US sports betting market in terms of handle. Independent certification will help them stand out among competitors who merely meet the minimum regulatory standards.
The program demonstrates that responsible gaming is not only a legal obligation but an essential aspect of a reliable operator. It will also make players more confident when searching for credible platforms that they can trust.
In this manner, the concept of responsible gaming standards goes beyond what the platform claims. Instead, it is validated independently to achieve maximum enforcement.
History of RGA/RGC Cooperation
The Responsible Online Gaming Association issued the evidence-based guidelines for the safety of players in May 2025. These rules touch on such areas as:
- Managing VIP programs
- Encouraging role-specific host training
- Automated monitoring of high-risk player behaviour
- Clear escalation protocols
- Access to player data to promote transparency and player well-being
The Responsible Gambling Council was established in 1983. At that time, it was called the Canadian Foundation for the Prevention of Gambling and Problem Gambling. However, over the last 40 years, it has established itself as a leading expert in safer gambling.
Today, RCG offers safe gambling standards and accreditation. They also provide training, research, and advisory services to online and land-based operators. Interestingly, this is not the first time ROGA and RGC are teaming up. Both organisations have previously worked on the “Know Your Play” initiative.
The “Know Your Play” initiative helped teach college-aged students about financial literacy, mental health, and responsible gaming. In Ontario, all licensed iGaming operators are now required to have their RG Check accreditation by RGC (since 2022).
Why This Matters Now
Growing market size and rising player activity make stronger safeguards urgent as US sports betting expands rapidly. Industry reports estimate market growth and increasing revenues year on year.
Hundreds of billions of legal wagers are handled in real time, and market projections indicate further double-digit growth.
With this potential expansion in mind, regulators and operators are shifting towards a compliance-first mindset. They are adopting approaches that deliver greater player protection and measurable outcomes.
Independent validation and performance-based reviews are now becoming the best ways to check that these practices are enforced.
Independent Standards Mark a Turning Point
The launch of the new certification sends a clear signal that the industry is prepared to back words with measurable action on player safety. With help from the RGC, ROGA members are adopting independent standards that are beyond the basic regulatory expectations.
The collaboration demonstrates a significant shift towards transparency and accountability. It also indicates the current advancement in the way operators embrace responsible gambling.
With this initiative, ROGA and its members are positioning themselves as leaders in raising the bar for industry-wide standards.
