Public Affairs at Gambling.com Group

Last updated: January 22nd 2021

The thrust of Gambling.com Group’s public affairs work is targeted at the United States, specifically individual states as they seek to open up their economies to another, technology driven revolution in consumer service. Beginning in 2011 when the US Department of Justice issued a formal opinion stating that it did not believe the 1961 Wire Act applied to any form of online gambling other than sports betting, individual states have had the freedom to regulate online poker, online casino and online bingo activities. Since the Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA in May of 2018, individual states are now also able to authorize and regulate sports betting. Projections indicate that the U.S. will be the largest single sports betting market in the world by 2023, and dozens of states are already preparing for an inevitable rollout of sports betting and other forms of online gambling. With this immense opportunity comes immense responsibility to achieve the policy objectives of a competitive, fair and safe sports betting marketplace. As states begin to adopt online gambling policies, we believe it is important for policy makers to understand the principles that will lead to responsible growth in this emerging market.

Through commentary, outreach and direct engagement with elected officials and gaming regulators, our goal is to share the knowledge and expertise we have gained from over a decade of successful operation in multiple well-regulated markets like the United Kingdom. In this section you will be able to find news updates and commentary on current events in the US gambling regulation space as well as copies of our direct correspondence with policy makers and elected officials.

Readers will notice several principles of responsible gaming policy will stand out:

• Online gambling consumers are smart - even though lawmakers may only be crafting online gambling regulations now, their citizens have been gambling online for 20 years. Offshore gambling operators have compelling products and strong brands. Consumers will not automatically switch from their trusted offshore brands until similarly compelling products are available in their own jurisdiction. All online gambling products are not created equal and consumers will balk at playing with gambling operators that offer sub-standard products.
• Online gambling markets must be open and competitive - jurisdictions that put up barriers to competition or allow entrenched casino or lottery partners to dominate the market are guaranteeing themselves to have a poorer quality offering due to lack of investment and competition. Regulations should foster a dynamic environment enabling both startups and large-scale operators to participate. It is this competition which will drive up the quality of the products and compel consumers to switch to an onshore gambling operator.
• Gambling is fundamentally an information technology, ideal for delivery online - we live in a digital society, and customers demand convenience. Policies that force gambling consumers to enter a physical establishment to participate will backfire, leaving more customers to the offshore market. The offshore market only connects with consumers through digital channels. These “digitally native” operators do not have the burden of trying to switch from a land-based mentality to an online one. Lawmakers who fail to offer products through digital channels will leave the fastest growing segment of the market entirely to offshore operators.
• Robust problem gambling initiatives are essential - self-exclusion schemes, help lines and educational programs are critical. With robust business intelligence systems, online gambling operators can use sophisticated algorithms, including artificial intelligence, to identify problem gamblers early to stop them and get them the help they require.