AGA includes sports betting and advertising in revised code of conduct

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has updated its code of conduct for responsible gambling to include sports betting and , responsible advertising.

Its new guidelines for sports betting require every casino and sports betting company in the US to allow patrons to self-exclude from services including: casino-issued markers, player club/card privileges and exposure to further gambling promotions.

The new code of conduct stipulates that all gambling related advertising, be it online, on television or in print form should comply “with all state and federal standards to make no false or misleading claims or create a suggestion that the probabilities of winning or losing at the various games offered by the casino, or by betting on sports contests, are different than those actually experienced.”

In addition, all advertisements are required to be in good taste and contain responsible gambling messages, with a link to a toll-free number where individuals can receive assistance and advice where needed.

Under the new AGA guidelines, all advertising must appeal specifically to children, with a general ban on ads featuring anyone who looks below the age of 21. Ads featured in places accessible to children, .i.e. high schools are also banned.

Advertisements must not in any way state that participating in gambling activities will aid an individual’s financial success. Guidelines preventing the placement of advertisements “with such intensity and frequency that they represent saturation of that medium or become excessive” are also included.

Sara Slane, AGA’s senior vice president of public affairs said: “As gaming enters a new landscape, our industry is prepared to be a proactive partner in how we approach responsible gaming, highlighted with our updated Code of Conduct that spells our obligations to our patrons, employees and communities.”