In a major development for responsible online gaming education, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at educating college students on responsible gaming practices and financial literacy. This initiative, set to roll out in early 2025, is being developed in collaboration with several leading organizations, including EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). Through a combination of digital tools and lived experiences, the campaign seeks to destigmatize problem gambling, while equipping students with the skills to manage their finances effectively.
This national initiative comes at a critical time as the landscape of online gaming continues to expand, following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. College-aged students are now more exposed to online gaming and sports betting than ever before, making it essential to address not only the potential harms associated with gambling but also the financial risks that may accompany these behaviors.
Background of ROGA
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) was founded by some of the largest legal online gaming operators in the United States. Its member organizations include well-known entities such as bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, Hard Rock Digital, and Penn Entertainment, with Bally’s Corporation joining shortly after its formation. ROGA is an independent trade association that seeks to promote responsible gaming practices and raise awareness about gambling-related harm across various demographics.
Since its inception in March 2023, ROGA has focused on creating educational initiatives that target specific groups, particularly those most vulnerable to gambling harms. This new campaign marks a significant expansion of ROGA’s mission, broadening its efforts to reach the broader college student population, a demographic often overlooked when it comes to responsible gaming education.
Dr. Jennifer Shatley’s Vision for ROGA
As the Executive Director of ROGA, Dr. Jennifer Shatley has been at the forefront of promoting responsible gaming education. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, she highlighted the need for more comprehensive educational resources that cater to all college students, not just student-athletes.
“A main goal of ROGA is to promote responsible gaming education and awareness across various audiences, including the college-aged demographic,” said Dr. Shatley. “While there are already great programs focused on student-athletes, there are very few resources currently available to the broader university student population.”
This insight is crucial, as it reflects a significant gap in the current responsible gaming landscape. While NCAA student-athletes have been the focus of several initiatives, including those led by EPIC Global Solutions, the average college student, who may also be engaging in online gaming, has had limited access to tailored responsible gaming education.
The Partnership: A Collaboration of Expertise
The success of this national campaign hinges on the collaboration between ROGA and its key partners: EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). Each of these organizations brings unique expertise and experience to the table, ensuring that the program will be robust, comprehensive, and engaging for college students.
EPIC Global Solutions: Expanding Reach Beyond Athletes
EPIC Global Solutions, an organization with extensive experience in delivering responsible gaming education, has played a significant role in educating NCAA student-athletes about the risks associated with gambling. Teresa Fiore, Vice President of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, noted that the organization has already reached over 50,000 student-athletes and staff through in-person education sessions.
“EPIC Global Solutions is delighted to work with ROGA to extend this important message to all college students,” said Fiore. “By combining expert knowledge with personal stories of those who have experienced gambling-related harm, this education is critical for young adults coming of age in a post-PASPA world.”
The collaboration with ROGA allows EPIC to expand its reach beyond student-athletes, ensuring that all college students, regardless of their background, have access to responsible gaming education. This is particularly important in today’s online gaming environment, where accessibility to gambling platforms has significantly increased.
Kindbridge Behavioral Health: Addressing the Mental Health Aspects
Kindbridge Behavioral Health, a leader in providing mental health services related to gaming and gambling, also plays a crucial role in the campaign. Daniel Umfleet, founder and CEO of Kindbridge, emphasized the unique challenges college students face in balancing their entertainment options with academic and personal responsibilities.
“At Kindbridge Behavioral Health, we understand the unique challenges that college students face in balancing entertainment options, such as gaming behaviors, with academic and personal responsibilities,” Umfleet stated.
This acknowledgment is vital, as the mental health component of responsible gaming cannot be overlooked. College students are often juggling multiple stressors, from academic pressures to social obligations, and gambling may be used as a coping mechanism. Kindbridge’s involvement ensures that the campaign addresses the mental health aspect of gambling behaviors, providing resources and support for students who may be struggling with problem gambling.
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC): Evidence-Based Prevention
For over two decades, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has been at the forefront of responsible gaming prevention, with a focus on youth and young adults. Shelley White, CEO of RGC, underscored the importance of customizing prevention programs to resonate with this hard-to-reach audience.
“All RGC prevention programs are evidence-based and customized to resonate with this hard-to-reach audience – through the message itself and how it’s communicated,” White explained.
The RGC’s evidence-based approach ensures that the educational materials and strategies employed in the campaign are grounded in research and best practices. This is particularly important when targeting young adults, who may be more resistant to traditional educational methods. By using innovative communication techniques and tailoring the message to the specific needs of college students, the RGC’s involvement enhances the overall effectiveness of the campaign.
Key Components of the Campaign: Responsible Gaming and Financial Literacy
The core of the campaign revolves around two critical areas: responsible gaming education and financial literacy. Both components are designed to equip college students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their gaming behaviors and financial management.
Responsible Gaming Education: Reducing Stigma and Promoting Awareness
One of the primary goals of the campaign is to humanize and destigmatize the issue of problem gambling. By incorporating lived experiences and personal stories from individuals who have faced gambling-related harm, the program seeks to create a more relatable and impactful educational experience. This approach not only raises awareness but also fosters empathy, helping students understand the real-world consequences of problem gambling.
Moreover, the campaign will address the risks associated with excessive gambling, such as financial losses, addiction, and the potential impact on academic performance and personal relationships. By providing students with the tools to recognize the signs of problem gambling and offering resources for seeking help, the program aims to prevent gambling-related harm before it escalates.
Financial Literacy: Building Essential Skills for Life
In addition to responsible gaming education, the campaign will include a strong financial literacy component. This aspect of the program is designed to equip students with essential financial management skills, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding the risks associated with debt.
College students often face financial challenges, from managing student loans to balancing part-time jobs with academic responsibilities. The rise of online gaming and sports betting has introduced new financial risks, as students may be tempted to use gambling as a way to make quick money. By educating students about the importance of financial planning and the dangers of relying on gambling for income, the campaign aims to foster responsible financial behaviors.
The Importance of Targeting College Students: A Vulnerable Population
College students represent a vulnerable population when it comes to online gaming and gambling. Many students are experiencing financial independence for the first time, making them more susceptible to the risks associated with gambling. The allure of quick wins, combined with the ease of access to online gaming platforms, can create a perfect storm for problem gambling.
Additionally, the social environment of college campuses can contribute to the normalization of gambling behaviors. Sports betting, in particular, has become increasingly popular among college-aged students, especially in light of the expansion of legal sports betting across the United States.
The timing of this campaign is crucial, as it targets students at a formative stage in their lives, when they are developing habits and behaviors that can have long-lasting effects. By providing responsible gaming education and financial literacy training, the program aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the complex world of online gaming and gambling.
The Future of Responsible Gaming Education
As the online gaming industry continues to grow, the need for responsible gaming education becomes increasingly important. ROGA’s national campaign, in collaboration with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council, represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by college students in today’s digital age.
By leveraging digital tools and incorporating personal stories of gambling-related harm, the campaign seeks to create a more engaging and relatable educational experience. The inclusion of financial literacy training further enhances the program, providing students with the skills they need to manage their finances responsibly and avoid the pitfalls of gambling-related debt.
As the campaign prepares to launch in early 2025, it sets the stage for a broader conversation about the role of education in promoting responsible gaming. With the support of leading organizations and a focus on evidence-based prevention, this initiative has the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of college students across the country.