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Responsible gambling leaders at the Global Gaming Expo said industry campaigns need to go beyond young sports bettors and reach a wider group that includes parents, broadcasters, leagues, athletes and regulators.
The discussion, reported by CDC Gaming, did not include any West Virginia-specific policy change or operator update. But it offered a national look at how major operators and responsible-gambling groups say they are trying to address gambling risks among young adults as online sports betting expands.
Panelists said young adults need different messaging
The G2E panel, titled From Sports Fan to Sports Bettor: Evolving Responsible Gaming for Today’s Sports Bettor, included Lori Kalani of DraftKings, Sarah McCarthy of the Responsible Gambling Council, and Brandt Iden of Fanatics Betting & Gaming.
Jennifer Shatley said the message should extend beyond sports bettors alone. McCarthy said research shows young adults want factual information rather than being told what to do, while Iden said operators need to meet that audience on the social-media platforms they already use.
McCarthy also cited Responsible Gambling Council research showing that 87% of 18- to 20-year-olds who have gambled say their parents approve. She said almost none of those parents view their behavior as introducing their children to gambling.
Operators highlighted tools and incentives for safer play
Panelists pointed to several existing tools aimed at encouraging earlier use of responsible-gambling features.
Fanatics Betting & Gaming offers free FanCash to players who use its responsible-gambling tools, and that reward can be used across Fanatics businesses. DraftKings has a similar program tied to rewards such as chances for NFL or Super Bowl tickets.
Shatley also pointed to Know Your Play, a digital-content tool from the Responsible Online Gaming Association developed with the Responsible Gambling Council for college-age bettors. She said it covers issues including impulsivity, the illusion of control, financial literacy, debt, limit-setting and digital health.
According to the report, ROGA members represent almost 85% of the legal U.S. online gaming market by handle.
What readers should watch
The G2E discussion reflects a broader industry push to treat responsible gambling as a shared responsibility rather than an operator-only issue. For West Virginia readers, the immediate takeaway is limited: no state-specific action was announced. Still, the panel suggests national operators may keep expanding education tools and incentives tied to safer-play features.
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Source: As reported by cdcgaming.com.
