Sports Betting USA Publishes Five-Point Accord

Last week, over the 14th and 15th of November, delegates that attended Sports Betting USA, a two-day conference in the Manhattan, wherein they discussed plans to introduce sports betting across the country. Following the conference, the 'Clarion Accord' was published, in which plans to set up a regulated and responsible industry could be achieved. The Clarion Accord was announced by the event organizer Ewa Bakun, and consist of five points.

The announcement was as follows:

• Make consumer protection and long-term health of the player the utmost goal through pro-active, considerate and sustainable Responsible Gaming strategies that encompass impact not just now but in the future. 
• Seek sports industry's buy-in by providing comfort, through an educational effort, that its commercial, reputational and integrity goals are fully met. 
• Action a transparent and inclusive lobbying effort that considers the interests of all stakeholders, both gaming, and sports, for a consistent message to policy-makers.  
• Protect the integrity of sports through regulatory framework consistent across the states and enabling full cooperation between sports, gaming, regulatory and enforcement stakeholders. 
• Create a sustainable regulatory and taxation environment that instills trust for the consumer, provides revenues to the state budgets and roots out the illegal market. (Clarion Accord, 2017 Sports Betting USA)

It is obvious from these points that the most important piece of the puzzle is responsible gambling. Making sure that sports betting has less of a chance to hurt rather than continue to be a fun pastime. Clearly putting both bettors and operators in mind, the Clarion Accord seems like a terrific base to get the ball rolling in the US and following its announcement, Bakun had this to say, "I would like to thank all of the participants who made a really important contribution to the success of Sports Betting USA". 

The conference delegates hope that the Accord can be the basis for discussions between the gambling sector, government, and the public. Even the Chief of Enforcement at the Nevada Gaming Board, Mr. Karl Bennison was impressed: “It’s been such a great spectrum of speakers and attendees with everything from operators to regulatory bodies, to foreign jurisdictions I’ve learned a lot and I really value this opportunity at this time." Bennison went on to state that even if the Supreme Court does not make a new ruling this year, or the next year, nationwide regulated sports betting is just around the corner.