The scheme will investigate how industry, government, and clinical stakeholders would address scenarios involving a fictional online betting customer displaying potentially problematic gambling behavior.
An anonymous and voluntary survey, created by PointsBet in conjunction with NCPG and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, will be distributed to attendees of the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling 2022.
The survey will present three fictional customers demonstrating potentially problematic gambling behavior. Participants will be asked to assume the role of an operator and determine the most appropriate action for the customer.
PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken emphasized the importance of responsible gambling for the well-being of players and the sustainability of the industry, especially with the increasing legalization of sports betting in the US.
The intention of this research project is to gain more insights into the decision-making process involved in finding solutions for individuals affected by problem gambling. The results aim to inform operators on how to best respond to customers exhibiting problematic gambling behavior.
NCPG executive director Keith Whyte mentioned the requirement for online gambling operators to provide responsible gambling tools. These tools should be regularly reviewed and assessed by stakeholders to ensure they effectively serve customers. The survey’s findings are expected to encourage discussions among operators, regulators, treatment providers, researchers, and problem gambling advocates, ultimately guiding responsible gambling decisions made by online gambling operators.