What is the RGA?

Gambling in the United Kingdom has existed for centuries and with technology development, this field has become the main recreational activity in this territory. Internet gambling products have grown there making this country the top place to have the largest regulated online gambling market in the world. Nevertheless, with the rise of this industry there, the issues related to gambling have also increased. That is probably why the organization like Remote Gambling Association (RGA) was launched to reduce gambling harm. 

Working with the UK Gambling Commission, this company was established to help this regulatory meeting its purpose regarding its codes of practice and licence conditions. This company actually aims to prevent gambling problems with its program called Gamstop allowing the gamblers to ban themselves from gambling websites. However, these gambling platforms must be licensed and regulated by the UKGC or among the white-listed regulators.

General Info and Connection with Gamstop Scheme

Remote Gambling Association is a trade association for online gambling companies established in August 2005. This firm is an alliance between different trade bodies such as the Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (IGGBA). This pointless organization represents the largest remote gambling firms and the world’s leading developers. 

It was the owner of Gamstop¸ a self-exclusion scheme allowing the gamblers to ban themselves in the gambling platforms run by the UKGC licensed operators for a period of their choice. Despite this fact, some non Gamstop poker rooms accept excluded gamblers as NonStopCasino says. Located in 31 Southampton Row, London, England, this association comes with the policy to promote a responsible play by applying both legislation and regulation to the gambling industry in Europe. Today RGA no longer exists as in July 2019; it was changed to Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

RGA Duties

The Remote Gambling Association is the founder of the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited (NOSES) that run self-exclusion scheme Gamstop and GamCare forum. This latter is a program to minimize the gambling problem within the UK. Released in 2018, the Gamstop program allows the players who are at risk to experience gambling harms prohibit themselves in the platforms licensed and regulated by the UKGC. In addition, the self-exclusion on other gambling websites that the players don’t have an account is also possible with Gamstop. 

Nonetheless, these other platforms must be licensed by the UKGC. Apart from this self-exclusion project, NOSES also launched a support program for gamblers who experience gambling disorder. In this project, various schemes are available like practical and emotional supports. Aside from Gamstop, RGA also ran Gamban, a gambling website blocker launched in 2018. Out of the self-exclusion project, the organization has the same duties as the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) which both ensure responsible gambling in Great Britain. The only difference is that ABB focuses more on land-based operators.

The End of Gamstop Ownership

In September 2019, RGA ends ownership of the program Gamstop. This self-exclusion system is now independent and is owned by the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme (NOSES). Today, the project Gamstop leads by the non-executive director Mike Dixon who has also been the chief executive of addiction and mental health of the organization. 

Besides, he was previously an assistant chief executive of an organization supporting the victims or witnesses of the crime called Citizens Advice and director of Victim Support. Gamstop was criticized for defects in the system because this organization still allowed self-excluded gamblers to continue gambling. According to Mike Dixon, a strong challenge to improve this scheme will be set out.

Latest News about Remote Gambling Association

• In November 2019, the Betting and Gaming Council announced that a new code of practice would be released. This new protocol would focus on the VIP players and operator seduction. The code details would be launched in spring 2020 to enforce the measures on implementing safer gambling.

• In August 2019, the prohibition of ‘whistle to whistle’ on gambling advertising during all live sports took effect. In fact, after ‘whistle-to-whistle’ received criticism, the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) had suggested this interdiction. Nonetheless, this ban would not be applied to horseracing and greyhound racing sectors.

• In July 2019, Betting and Gaming Council was launched. This entity substituted the duties of the Association of British Bookmakers and the Remote Gambling Association. Obviously, this body has the main goal to ensure a safe betting and gambling through its code of conduct and codes of practice.