“Responsible gambling” is a phrase repeated endlessly across the gaming industry. It appears in annual reports, policy panels, and corporate websites. But the deeper you look, the clearer it becomes: much of it is an illusion of responsibility, not real reform.
In most U.S. jurisdictions, there are still no duty-of-care regulations requiring casino staff to intervene when a player shows clear signs of gambling-related harm. Other industries—alcohol service, for example—have long-established intervention standards. Why not gambling?
The issue of indoor smoking is even more blatant. While the rest of the hospitality sector has moved forward, many casinos still allow indoor smoking, despite known health risks and its connection to problem gambling. This is not a regulatory blind spot; it’s an industry choice—one that sacrifices public health for short-term revenue.
The irony is striking: the same venues that promote “responsible gambling” also normalize environments that facilitate excessive risk, harm, and dependency.
Meanwhile, efforts to focus attention on offshore operators serve mostly as a distraction. Yes, illegal platforms pose risks—but shifting the blame won’t fix the credibility problem of regulated operators who fail to lead by example.
Real responsibility starts with hard decisions. It means embracing smoke-free policies, legislating duty-of-care obligations, funding independent research, and establishing enforcement mechanisms that do more than just look good on paper.
Anything less is image management—not leadership.
For the gambling industry to move forward, it must accept that trust cannot be claimed. It must be earned, through structure, transparency, and courage to act—especially when it’s inconvenient.
