GeoComply is teaming up to make it easier to manage self-exclusion in the iGaming and online sports betting industries across jurisdictions.

The initiative, PlayPause, comes as part of Responsible Gaming Education Week.

The PlayPause tech is available free

The program is available free of charge to operators via a newly established nonprofit organization, Conscious Gaming.

Conscious Gaming is a philanthropic organization committed to utilizing advanced technology to propel social responsibility initiatives.

State self-exclusions lists can have unintended blowback.

Praise for the PlayPause option

Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Responsibility Cait DeBaun of the American Gaming Association commented:

“Responsible Gaming Education Week spotlights the best of the gaming industry. GeoComply’s PlayPause is an important addition to the responsible gaming continuum. This innovative solution solves for an important need while advancing consumer protections, empowering operators and supporting regulatory bodies.”

According to GeoComply, PlayPause will:

  • Empower operators to strengthen responsible gaming programs — and make more data-driven decisions.
  • Expand the protective self-exclusion bubble as players move from state to state, allowing protection to move with them.
  • Streamline the administrative burden by eliminating silos associated with numerous separate state-operated self-exclusion lists.

As Anna Sainsbury, GeoComply chairman and co-founder, explained:

“At GeoComply, we’re always looking for ways to leverage technology in a meaningful and responsible way. PlayPause is not only an important compliance tool, but a way we can unite the industry and regulators to deepen their shared commitment to responsible gaming and consumer protection.”

PlayPause coming to PA

The tool is rolling out in Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania is pleased to be at the forefront of a new responsible gaming tool, designed to strengthen consumer protection and take self-exclusion programs in a new direction,” said Elizabeth Lanza, director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling at the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The PlayPause tool is a welcome addition everywhere, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling:

“The NCPG applauds the creation of PlayPause — this is a prime example of how technology and innovation can be leveraged to advance consumer protection and foster a more effective, responsible gaming framework across the gambling and sports betting industries.”

GeoComply said the new tool underscores its commitment to offering innovative solutions to streamline compliance with complex state regulatory requirements.

Tech comes at a time of explosive growth

The surging interest in sports betting underscores the interest in assuring responsible wagering.

PA sports betting handle reached nearly $365 million in August, setting a new all-time high. And online casinos had their best month ever, with $55.9 million in revenue.

FanDuel announced a marketing connection with Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter and now a sports talking head.

Then GVC and MGM added $250 million to Roar Digital, with much of that likely going toward marketing in the US sports betting sector.

And more is in the works.

Time to temper marketing?

In the face of all that, our sister publication LegalSportsReport recently pointed out that the US market could take some lessons from Europe, where marketing was too aggressive.

In that piece, David Briggs, the CEO of GeoComply, said marketing in the United Kingdom had gone overboard for a time with too much advertising.

He said the result was turning people off — or into opponents of sports betting.

AGA supports responsible gaming

The American Gaming Association highlighted several responsible gaming actions as the week came to an end.

  • NASCAR became the first professional league to partner with the AGA’s Have A Game Plan, Bet Responsibly campaign to educate fans about safe wagering practices.
  • The AGA activated the enforcement process for its sports betting marketing code, setting a high bar for responsible advertising by all operators and sportsbooks.
  • Congressional Gaming Caucus co-chairs Reps. Dina Titus of Nevada and Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania penned an op-ed on responsible gaming in The Hill.
  • BetMGM reinforced its commitment to responsible gaming by hiring Richard Taylor as its new Responsible Gambling Program manager.