Since the United States Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports gambling in 2018, dozens of states have legalized sports betting, with many more currently in the process of doing so. This rapid expansion created an urgent need for responsible gambling initiatives to ensure that wagering didn’t grow faster than the safeguards designed to protect players. In the early stages of legalization, however, it’s fair to say that progress in player protection struggled to keep pace with the booming sports gambling industry.

The Growing Focus on Responsible Gambling

Fast forward to today – sports leagues, organizations, and even athletes are regularly partnering with the gambling industry, while regulators and advocacy groups continue calling for stronger measures to protect those vulnerable to gambling-related harm. Responsible gambling has never been more important, nor has it received this level of attention in the public eye.

A Look at Mature Markets: Lessons from the UK

If we examine mature gambling markets such as the UK, where legal gambling and sports wagering have been established since 1961, there are valuable lessons to learn. Mobile wagering has been legal and immensely popular since the early 2000s, and the term "responsible gambling" has been in use since the mid-1990s. Interestingly, this term was adapted from the alcohol industry’s messaging around "responsible drinking."

In its early days, responsible gambling was focused on basic messaging. Operators encouraged players to "play responsibly," but this often sparked debate about whether such messages were meaningful or merely symbolic gestures.

Personal Experience: Both Sides of the Debate

From my own personal experience, I’ve been on both sides of this conversation. As a former athlete and a problem gambler, I found myself in circumstances where a lack of education and understanding of risk prevented me from making informed decisions. Later, as a seasoned industry professional with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the sports gambling industry has expanded in the U.S. and how responsible gambling efforts have evolved in both my home country, the UK, and internationally.

The Current State of Responsible Gambling

The concept of responsible gambling has come a long way since the 1990s. Today, far more is being done to protect players than was the case when I was at my most vulnerable. But there’s still much more to be achieved. All stakeholders—whether they’re operators, regulators, or policymakers—must embrace responsible gambling fully, accept their roles, and collaborate to create a safer environment for everyone involved.

What Responsible Gambling Should Look Like

For me, responsible gambling means that operators, governments, and regulators must work together to prioritize player protection and prevent exploitation. At the same time, players need to educate themselves about the risks of gambling and ensure their motivations are healthy. Gambling should be for fun and enjoyment, not for anything more harmful.

How IC360 is Making Gambling Safer

Organizations like IC360 play a crucial role in making sure that as the gambling industry continues to grow, it remains safer, fairer, and conducted with integrity. Our goal is to protect not just individuals, but sports leagues, operators, regulators, and everyone within the gambling ecosystem.