Online Gambling Associations & Organizations: Promoting Safe Gaming and Providing Industry Standards

A Gibraltar-based regulatory body that licenses many of the world's online gambling operators and igaming software developers.

The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) was set up as a body tasked with overseeing the regulation of remote gambling. And considering the British overseas territory imposes extremely low tax rates, Gibraltar was an appealing destination for online gambling operators who wanted to avoid the UK's higher rates. But that has since changed since the UK shut the loophole in December 2014.

Remote Gambling Regulator

Since then, the GBGA has continued to be a viable regulatory body because the UK Gambling Commission only licenses operators within its own country. As a result, this has ensured the GBGA has continued to play a role in licensing the world's online gambling operators.

Noted Members

The GBGA has a star-studded membership that boasts sportsbooks, online casinos, poker sites, and bingo sites, not to mention software providers. Some of the best-known operators include 888, bet365, Betfair, Betfred, BetVictor, Gala Coral, Ladbrokes, and William Hill. From a software standpoint, two examples include Gamesys and IGT.

Consumer Focus

At the core, the GBGA promises to operate as a body that embraces the provision of safe, fair, and competitive online gambling services. To ensure this happens, the body demands that its licensed members reach the highest standards for consumers, whether situated in the EU or elsewhere on the globe.

Gibraltar for Remote Gambling

Another principal goal is that the GBGA continues to develop Gibraltar as a leader in online gambling by bringing together the world's foremost operators and software developers. All parties are required to maintain a presence in Gibraltar, helping to make it a center of excellence.

Visit the following link for more details and information: gbga.gi.

The BGC (previously known as the Remote Gambling Association - RGA) provides unity of purpose for all gambling industry issues - regulators, legislators, and decision-makers.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) represents the largest licensed and stock exchange-listed remote gambling companies. It provides unity of purpose and clarity on all issues vital to regulators, vested interests, and legislators in the industry.

The BGC's objective is to provide an organization for the benefit and service of British and European remote gambling operators within the betting and gaming industry and to represent the interests of remote gambling operators in the United Kingdom, those countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and any other jurisdiction that members of the association have an interest in.

Strong support and criticism

On August 8th, 2008, the BGC endorsed the updated UIGEA Clarification Act (HR 6663). In addition, numerous criticisms against discriminatory or unlawful practices in the gambling world are made, as well as endorsements of sound and legal conduct.

Voice of unity

The BGC provides clarity and fairness amongst the large corporate gambling companies and their customers; among its many members are PKR, 888, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Sportingbet, Microgaming, Playtech, CryptoLogic, William Hill, Victor Chandler, and Paddy Power.

Visit the following link for more details and information: bettingandgamingcouncil.com.

For those who have heard of the "Powerball" lottery, then you have been introduced to the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), even if you didn't realize it before. Filled with history and including most of the 50 states in America, this association is a heavyweight in the lottery business.

Founded in 1987, MUSL is a non-profit association owned and operated by the collective's members. Its headquarters are located in Urbandale, Iowa.

Notably, each member of the MUSL association retains its profits from the individual lotteries they own and operate. From there, those profits are used to fund any projects approved by the legislature that authorizes each member's lottery. Call it a professional "frontman" for lottery owners and operators, if you will.

There are currently 33 states that have a membership, including the US Virgin Islands. The currently managed games are Powerball, Hot Lotto, Wildcard 2, 2 by 2, and Ca$hola, a progressive jackpot hailing from Vermont.

From a player's perspective, MUSL does not affect the day-to-day life of lottery players. However, if you wanted to know a bit more history about who manages these state lotteries, you just hit the jackpot.

Visit the following link for more details and information: musl.com.

The ECA aims to assist decision-making by providing information about casino operations in Europe.

Founded as the European Casino Forum in the early 1990s, the European Casino Association has become an important voice representing the interests of nearly 1,000 casinos across Europe when it comes to decision-making on casino gambling by nations and the EU.

Furthermore, in its work, the ECA represents the interests of the casino sector, including about 80,000 employees.

The ECA aims to serve as a network for information, providing help to the work done by the EU institutions when relating to casino operations.

The ECA is a not-for-profit organization. It is headed by a Chairman and a Vice Chairman, elected among members for a single-year term.

Visit the following link for more details and information: europeancasinoassociation.org.

The eight leading online gaming operators in Europe formed a non-profit association that promotes fair competition called EGBA. Online gambling regulation is a hot issue across Europe. Quick to recognize this are eight leading online gaming operators, who go together to form a not-for-profit organization that will represent their - and the gambling community's - stand on the issue.

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) states in its mission its commitment to legal and responsible Internet betting and gaming. This includes fair products as well as fair competition. Along with 

freedom of choice, which the EGBA states as a goal. They also fight for: fair competition and a regulated environment for European operators.

Behind these big statements lies the European countries' practice of protecting their monopolies. The EGBA wants free access to all European-licensed and regulated online gaming services provided lawfully in their country of origin without unjustifiable restrictions imposed by states, an interesting case where corporate and social responsibilities meet.

The eight partners in EGBA are PartyGaming, bwin Group, Unibet, bet-at-home.com, The Carmen Media Group, Expekt, Interwetten Gaming Ltd, and digibet.

Visit the following link for more details and information: egba.eu.

Enjoy lots of helpful advice and the latest news on all things lottery related.

The Lotteries Council of the UK is a one-stop site for anyone wanting to establish a lottery as part and parcel of a fundraising effort. This professional organization assists businesses, individuals, and not-for-profit entities in establishing guidelines and constructs for lottery setups.

The benefits of the Lotteries Council are restricted to members only. The Members Section offers exclusive benefits to a business or personal applicants. These include Draws, Internet, Scratchcards, Raffles, Sweepstakes, Door-to-door collections, and more. The Lotteries Council has been in operation for three decades and is comprised of voluntary contributions.

Visit the following link for more details and information: lotteriescouncil.org.uk.

The AGA represents the commercial casino industry on all legislative and regulatory issues.

When established, the American Gaming Association (AGA) was the first national information database and, until today, provides industry data to stakeholders. Among the many responsibilities entrusted to the AGA is a public education initiative to address critical issues in the gambling industry and promote responsible gambling. Its advocacy efforts are targeted at policymakers via special interest groups and at the general public directly.

Further, in its role as the representative of the commercial casino-entertainment industry, the AGA addresses federal legislative and regulatory issues.

The AGA combats underage and disorderly gambling and promotes customer education, alcohol services, research, and advertising.

As early as 2003, the AGA Board of Directors formulated a code of conduct on responsible gaming with which all AGA member companies must strictly comply.

Today the AGA has expanded its advocacy techniques and relies on various social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter in its mission to communicate the positive impact of gaming on communities. These platforms are utilized effectively to disseminate information on recent research and industry statistics results, update followers on industry events, and spread recent news. It hopes to capture the attention of a much wider audience through these means.

Additionally, in recognition that the AGA website is the first point of reference for someone wishing to learn more about the online casino industry, in 2011, it launched a new website. The revamped site boasts a more intuitive interface and more powerful search capabilities, making information on the AGA and gaming industry programs, initiatives, events, and research more easily accessible. There is a wealth of information on their site benefiting media outlets, financial analysts, gaming employees, and the general public.

Visit the following link for more details and information: americangaming.org.

The International Association of Gaming Regulators, or the IAGR, consists of representatives of regulatory bodies worldwide.

This organization's mission is to increase gaming regulations' efficiency and effectiveness. To accomplish this, the IAGR provides the following:

• A forum that regulators from all over the world can use to meet, exchange information and views and discuss regulations and policies with other regulators as well as representatives in the online gaming industry
• A main contact point for inquiries for gaming regulatory personnel and agencies, governments, and members of the international gaming community
• A means of enhancing cooperation between gaming regulators while they perform their duties

The IAGR began operating in the 1980s as an informal organization adjunct to the International Association of Gaming Attorneys or IAGA. For many years, regulators were present at the IAGA conference to discuss important topics in the gaming industry. The IAGR became formalized and was given its conference in 1993. 

In 2010, members of the IAGR voted to create a completely independent organization, and in 2011 the IAGR was converted to a non-profit association called the International Association of Gaming Regulators. Regulators from many different countries are members of the IAGR, including New Zealand, North America, Asia, Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Australia. The conference usually draws in hundreds of regulators from many different countries.

Visit the following link for more details and information:  iagr.org.