Talk Is Cheap. Certification Isn’t.
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have teamed up to launch a new responsible gambling certification for U.S. operators. Unlike vague promises buried in fine print, this program requires companies to demonstrate real safeguards: tools for self-exclusion, trained staff, support for at-risk players, and transparency around marketing and VIP schemes.
The certification borrows from RGC’s long-running RG Check program and will be independently validated every three years. In short, it’s designed to hold operators accountable, not just hand out PR ribbons.
ROGA’s membership—DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365 and others—represents around 90% of the regulated U.S. market. With RGC’s decades of experience, the program could quickly become an industry benchmark.
Where Sweepstakes Casinos Stand
Sweepstakes casinos like Stake.us, Pulsz, and McLuck operate in a different framework. They aren’t regulated, they don’t answer to gaming commissions, and they aren’t subject to outside audits. Critics have accused them of encouraging heavy spending under a “no purchase necessary” label that gives an illusion of safety but offers little protection when problems arise.
Now that mainstream operators are submitting to independent checks, the gap is more visible than ever: one side is moving toward higher standards, the other remains unaccountable.
Why Now?
The timing isn’t accidental.
- In California, New York, and Louisiana, lawmakers are considering bills to curb sweepstakes casinos.
- Major suppliers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution have already cut ties with sweeps operators.
- Lawsuits, including one in Los Angeles targeting Stake.us, have accused these platforms of running illegal gambling businesses.
Against this backdrop, ROGA’s certification gives regulated operators credibility at a time when scrutiny is intensifying.
What It Means for Players
If you’re on a regulated sportsbook or casino, this certification means stronger safeguards: independent audits, trained staff, and working tools for setting limits or self-excluding.
If you’re on a sweeps casino, none of that applies. Free coins and disclaimers may exist, but there’s no outside body checking whether the platform protects you. For players, the contrast is stark — between having a safety net, or playing without one.
Industry Reactions and Next Steps
ROGA’s executive director, Dr. Jennifer Shatley, described the certification as “a clear signal that the industry is backing its commitment with actions.” RGC’s CEO, Sarah McCarthy, emphasized accountability and transparency. Regulators will likely welcome that tone.
The certification will roll out first to ROGA’s members, but could later be adopted by non-members. Sweepstakes casinos face a harder choice: voluntarily raise standards, or continue operating in the gray area until courts or lawmakers intervene.
The Bottom Line
ROGA and RGC’s certification is a milestone for U.S. responsible gambling. For regulated operators, it builds trust. For sweepstakes casinos, it highlights the absence of basic accountability. The divide between the two models is only growing—and regulators are watching.
Blaise Luis
