NCPG says certain RG rules should apply by default for online accounts in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania is mulling new responsible gambling rules, which will help strengthen player protections
• The NCPG argues that certain parts of the rules should be implemented by default
• Pennsylvania is looking to strengthen its general rules on Responsible Gambling, having operators play a more active role in protecting consumers

Pennsylvania is on track to strengthen its significant player-protection safeguards by introducing a raft of new rules designed to address what are seen as the riskiest areas of gambling.

Some rules must be set up at default registration to have the most impact

Among those are the option to set stricter time and spending limits, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the state’s gambling regulator, already backing the proposals and arguing in favor of making the Keystone State a safer place for gamblers.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) wants to take things a step further, however, with the NGO arguing that in order to be effective, some of these measures will have to apply by default to new online accounts, and specifically the part that concerns time and spending limits.

Pennsylvania’s draft proposal is comprehensive, empowering and incentivizing consumers to set daily, weekly, and monthly limits, as well as set limits on individual types of wagers, giving them more freedom in determining how each user wants to approach their game.

The proposed changes are designed in such a way as to encourage players to freely access the tools and calibrate their gaming habits in a way that keeps them out of harm’s way. For these to be successful, the NCPG argues that having the tweaks set up at registration would be far more impactful than having people incentivized and reminded to constantly change these limits.

NCPG welcomes many of the proposed consumer safeguards

While pop-up windows will still play a role, such as activity updates and how much has been spent, the NCPG is confident that its suggested changes would be more important for the long-term success of the measures. However, this would also create some logistical issues for operators who would have to adapt to this proposal if approved.

As to the rest of the proposal, the NCPG seems to be aligned with what Pennsylvania is already planning to do. The NCPG has backed the suggested tougher restrictions on advertising, and has said that the idea to remove "risk-free" and "free" language from promotions is a reasonable move.

Operators are also expected to send monthly reminders about player activity and urge those who may be overspending to limit their activity, as per the new rules that are yet to be adopted.

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