Report: State Sports Betting Regulations Fall Short of Providing Adequate Consumer Protections

Washington, DC – Today, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) released a report, U.S. States’ Online Sports Betting Regulations: An Evaluation Against National Council on Problem Gambling Standards. The analysis found that, on average, states met only 32 out of 82 player protection standards outlined by NCPG’s Internet Responsible Gambling Standards (IRGS). The goal of the report is to help states identify gaps in their current laws and regulations, providing a clear framework for making improvements to better protect consumers and promote responsible gambling.

Initially developed in 2012, the IRGS serves as a comprehensive guide for operators, regulators, and vendors to prioritize player protections and help mitigate the risk of gambling-related harm. Updated most recently in December 2023, the IRGS reflects best practices in responsible gambling, emphasizing safeguards for individuals who may be vulnerable to developing gambling problems.

The report, prepared by Vixio Regulatory Intelligence, evaluates the extent to which each state’s sports betting regulations align with NCPG’s standards. A total of 30 states and the District of Columbia that offered legal mobile sports wagering as of June 2024 were included in the study.

Among the key findings:

• Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia are most aligned with the IRGS, meeting 49 of the 82 standards.
• Ten states & DC met 40 or more of the standards: Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
• Nine states met between 25 and 39 of the standards: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont.
• Eleven states met between 10 and 24 of the standards: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Nevada, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

“The IRGS serves as a roadmap for states to utilize when developing sports betting regulations, ensuring that player protection remains the top priority,” said Keith Whyte, Executive Director of NCPG. “This report reflects the patchwork nature of existing regulations and the significant gaps in consumer protections. We urge legislators and regulators to take immediate steps to close these gaps and work to mitigate gambling-related harm.”

The report highlights essential consumer protection measures that states should incorporate into their sports betting regulations, including governance and policy; staff training; supporting informed decision-making by players; time and budget management; time-out and self-exclusion; customer support; marketing and advertising; gameplay; know your customer (KYC); and research, education and treatment.

NCPG will host a webinar on Tuesday, September 24th, at 1:00 PM ET to discuss the report’s findings in more detail. This webinar is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register or email media@NCPGambling.org.