The Status of Responsible Gaming

The authors, two senior policymakers at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, trace the development of responsible gambling policy in Massachusetts, from its enabling legislation and the seminal Reno Model, to the expansive and comprehensive program that is in place in Massachusetts today. The “Massachusetts model” included three important directions: (1) Look beyond the US borders for model programs that would closely align with the expectations in Massachusetts; (2) Adopt new and promising practices and emerging technology with a precautionary approach, but leverage research funding to closely evaluate their effectiveness; and (3) Implement an enduring and comprehensive research agenda that feeds data-driven strategies to advance responsible gambling and mitigate problem gambling. In this chapter the authors discuss issues related to responsible gambling programs nationally and internationally. They offer a critical reflection about the sufficiency of the Reno Model, which remains widely perceived as the preeminent responsible gaming program standard, and provide recommendations for what constitutes a minimum responsible gambling program.