Seven online betting operators in the United States have come together to establish the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), a collective aimed at promoting responsible online gaming through various initiatives. The operators involved in this initiative are BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, Hard Rock Interactive, and Penn Entertainment (parent company of ESPN BET). Together, they have committed $20 million towards ROGA’s efforts in its inaugural year reported ESPN.

ROGA’s objectives include supporting independent research, promoting best practices, and driving consumer and industry education and awareness campaigns for responsible online gaming. Initiatives funded by the organization will include academic research, the development of responsible gaming certification programs, and the establishment of a database for information sharing to enhance consumer protection.

According to ROGA, these companies represent over 85% of the legal online sports betting and iGaming market in the United States. Caesars and BetRivers are the only two of the top 10 national online sportsbooks not involved in the association.

Dr. Jennifer Shatley, president of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, will serve as the executive director of ROGA. Shatley said, “Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and support additional responsible gaming education and awareness. By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming.”

ROGA’s announcement comes during Problem Gambling Awareness Month and amidst several sports betting scandals involving problem gambling. In March a former Jacksonville Jaguars employee was sentenced to six and half years in prison for a fraud of $22 million from the team gamble. There are allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter of stealing $4.5 million from him to bet and an NBA investigation into irregularities surrounding prop betting by Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter.