Original Section(s)

11 VAC 5-80-80 Responsible Gambling Page and Policies

GLI Recommendations

A.   A sports betting platform shall cause the words "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER," or some comparable language approved by the Department, which language shall include the words "gambling problem" and "call 1-800 GAMBLER," to be displayed prominently at log-on and log-off times to any person visiting or logged onto the sports betting platform;

GLI recommends updates based on what has been seen in other markets.

11 VAC 5-80-80.A

B.    A permit holder’s website or mobile application shall maintain an up-to-date, easily visible website link to its corporate policy on prominently publish a responsible gambling logo in a manner approved by the Director, which shall direct a player to the permit holder’s responsible gambling page which shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

1.     A prominent message, which states "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER," or some comparable language approved by the Department, which language shall include the words "gambling problem" and "call 1-800 GAMBLER," to be displayed prominently;

2.     A clear statement of the permit holder’s commitment to responsible gaming and problem gambling prevention;

While the corporate policy on responsible gaming is common for internal controls, requiring a link to its content on the website is not. GLI recommends update to include a responsible gaming page which content which has been seen in other markets. GLI also recommends adding in 11 VAC 5-80-120.D and 11 VAC 5-80-90.4

11 VAC 5-80-120.D

3.     A description of opportunities for at-risk or problem bettors to receive assistance or that direct sports bettors to a reputable source, accessible in the Commonwealth, of such information; and

11 VAC 5-80-90.4

4.     A prominent link to information about the permit holder’s self-exclusion program.

11 VAC 5-80-80.B

C.   Each permit holder’s corporate policy should address the following:

1.    Corporate commitment to responsible gambling and problem gambling prevention;

2.    Responsible gambling strategy with defined goals and a clear plan of action;

3.    Senior executive staff members are accountable for responsible gambling policies and programs;

4.    Responsible gambling programs are embedded across all activities of the organization;

5.    Methods for tracking levels of understanding and implementation of responsible gambling practices across its organization; and

6.    Measures to ensure staff understand the importance of responsible gaming and are knowledgeable about their role and the company’s expectations of their actions. Such measures should include:

a.    Corporate responsible gambling policies are explained to employees along with local (e.g., site-specific) codes of practice, self-ban procedures and regulations

b.    Staff learn about problem gambling and its impact as well as key responsible gambling information

c.     Staff are taught skills and procedures required of them for assisting players who may have problems with gambling

d.    Staff are trained to avoid messages that reinforce misleading or false beliefs

e.    All staff are trained upon hiring and are retrained regularly

f.     Objectives are clear and accessible, training accommodates different learning styles, and material is tested or reviewed with staff

g.    A formal evaluation process is in place

h.    The training program and/or evaluation is informed by the best available evidence

11 VAC 5-80-120.E

D.   A permit holder shall train employees on at-risk or problem betting. Such training shall include training on policies and best practices for identifying and assisting sports bettors who may be at-risk or problem sports bettors.

GLI recommends adding in 11 VAC 5-80-120.E, 11 VAC 5-80-120.F, 11 VAC 5-80-120.H, and 11 VAC 5-80-120.I

11 VAC 5-80-120.F

E.    A permit holder shall establish clear protocols for staff to respond appropriately to:

1.     A player in crisis or distress;

2.     A player who discloses that he may have a problem with gambling; and

3.     Third-party concerns

11 VAC 5-80-120.H

F.    A permit holder’s platform shall have systems in place to identify players who may be at risk of having or developing problem gambling to enable staff to respond appropriately.

11 VAC 5-80-120.I

G.   A permit holder shall maintain a database for recording interactions regarding gambling problems with players and a clear protocol for documenting and using the data to assist players.