Report Shows Nevada Failing Responsible Gambling Standards

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) recently released its 2022 report. It looks at consumer protection regulations from states with legalized online gambling against its Internet Responsible Gambling Standards (IRGS).

The US Online Responsible Gaming Regulations: An Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards report shows that Nevada online gambling standards fall short of NCPG’s minimum responsibility.

Nevada has only one true online gambling option. The poker website for the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) is the only active website for anyone looking to gamble online in Nevada.

This NCPG reports shows that this isn’t specifically a problem with the WSOP website. The issue is with Nevada’s online gambling regulations.

The report shows that online gambling (AKA iGaming) regulators in four of seven states don’t offer enough protection for gamblers. Nevada, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia don’t mandate operators provide players with adequate responsible gambling protections.

Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards

NCGP’s “Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards” looks at how seven states with online gambling adhere to its minimum responsible gambling standards.

Nevada regulators didn’t meet the minimum standard for problem gaming regulations. Only Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania met a majority of the standards outlined in the IRGS.

The NCGP created the IRGS in 2012. The goal of these standards is to help guide all parties involved with internet gambling to keep responsible gaming in mind.

This isn’t a static topic. The IRGS is regularly updated to reflect the current state of online betting, and recent trends in consumer protection and technology.

The IRGS standards include specific recommendations in the areas of:

• Policy
• Staff training
• Informed decision-making
• Assisting players
• Self-exclusion
• Advertising and promotion
• Game and site features
• Working with research

Ultimately, the organization looks to make responsible gaming efforts efficient and effective for state regulators. According to the report, last year Nevada gaming regulators failed to provide players with safer gambling information on the following topics:

• Myths associated with online poker
• Risks associated with online gambling
• Practical tips to keep within financial limits
• How to access personal data on responsible gambling

Furthermore, Nevada is the only state with online gaming that does not have a policy commitment to responsible gambling. Employees involved with online gambling in Nevada do not receive training on new IRGC standards on an annual basis like in other states.

It’s always important to keep responsible gaming standards up to date for online and live casino gambling. The fact that there’s only one place to gamble online in Nevada shouldn’t impede the regulations.

Lack of online gambling in Nevada

Online gambling in Nevada is fairly limited. Unlike other states, Nevada doesn’t offer a full suite of online casino games like blackjack, slot machines, poker, and more.

Today, the only online gambling currently available in Nevada is on the WSOP website. Nevada is one of the few states with a wide variety of locations with in-person gambling. It’s nearly impossible to avoid gambling in Nevada.

In addition to Nevada mobile sports betting apps, there’s gambling at retail outlets everywhere in the state.

There are more than 300 casinos throughout the state that offer customers gambling. Additionally, there’s gambling in Nevada at bars, taverns, supermarkets, gas stations, and more.

Some casino operators think this is more than sufficient. The argument is often that allowing full-scale online gambling could lead to problem gaming.

Coincidentally, these companies also say online gambling could reduce revenue from locals staying home instead of visiting a casino. Last year, Indiana commissioned a study on the topic and found out that online casinos shouldn’t cannibalize in-person casino revenue.