Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioThe Better Gambling Forum (BGF) has announced a new international initiative aimed at establishing common standards for preventing gambling harm. The group, part of the Brain Capital Alliance, is being publicly introduced for the first time as the BGF alongside its Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework.
The BGF is positioning the RG3P as a global benchmark for regulators, industry leaders, and public health stakeholders. The group has also partnered with the G7/G20 and the United Nations to advance international standards for responsible gambling.
The EU is considering similar measures as the European Gaming and Betting Association seeks to secure support for a common standard on markers of harm ahead of a vote on September 25.
Shawn Fluharty, who chairs the BGF Steering Committee, described the initiative as: ”…a response to the growing need for coordinated, evidence-based responses to gambling-related harm, aims to future-proof gambling and public health policy by identifying and elevating scalable, evidence-informed practices.”
The group has confirmed that an independent Scientific Oversight Committee will be established to review findings and monitor the implementation of the framework, ensuring that the BGF’s recommendations are both ethical and based on sound scientific research.
Six Pillars of Player Protection
The BGF has built the RG3P around six core pillars: education and prevention, risk detection and intervention, support, treatment, and recovery, standards for gambling products and marketing, ethical industry practices and accountability, and ongoing research and sustainable funding.
The forum envisions the framework as acting as a roadmap for regulators, operators, and public health organizations, with each of the six pillars highlighting broad priorities.
That means everything from empowering players with the knowledge they need to make informed choices to setting clearer standards for safer gambling environments and advertising, while ensuring that treatment and recovery services are adequately supported.
Members of the BGF believe the framework is a necessary step in unifying the fragmented efforts spread out across different jurisdictions. Equipped with a standard set of principles, they argue that the RG3P can act as a benchmark to guide both policy and industry practice worldwide.
BGF member Kevin Winters explained it this way: “Our mission is to create a practical, comprehensive framework that can be adopted across jurisdictions to strengthen existing player protection measures.”
Why This Framework Matters Now
As gambling continues to grow at breakneck speed thanks to online and mobile formats, health experts have become concerned about the scale of potential harm. A meta-analysis on gambling harm published in the Harm Reduction Journal found that online gaming’s fast play, constant availability, and aggressive marketing might pose a higher risk of harm than brick-and-mortar facilities.
Meanwhile, several studies illustrate the global scale of gambling-related problems. For example, a systematic review showed that between 1% and 5% of adults in many countries meet criteria for problem or pathological gambling, with millions more reporting significant financial or mental health strain.
Committee member Francis Keyser explained the BGF’s mission this way: “Gambling has long been a source of entertainment and economic activity. It is not inherently harmful, but as it becomes more embedded in digital environments, it can contribute to mental health challenges and societal strain, particularly among youth. The six pillars of the RG3P Framework are designed to address this challenge and serve as a foundational structure for jurisdictions seeking to create a ‘gold standard’ guide for gambling awareness, treatment programs, and regulations.”
The BGF’s goal isn’t to replace existing national initiatives with the RG3P framework. Instead, it aims to establish a standard set of benchmarks that can be adapted to various jurisdictions. The adoption of the BGF framework will depend on the regulatory and political environment of each market.
