Twenty Years of Responsible Gambling: The Science-Based Glass is Half Full

Gamblin disorders Harm Minimization Science based evidenceMore than 20 years ago a group of scholars, gambling executives, and scientists gathered in Reno, Nevada to examine gambling activities in general and the adverse consequences associated with gambling in particular (Blaszczynski et al., 2004).This group established the goal of finding guidelines, processes, and procedures to achieve the objective of determining strategies and activities that could reduce the prevalence of gambling-related harms and prevent its incidence.This work became known as the Reno Model, a blueprint for achieving effective responsible gambling (RG) outcomes.Soon, after the meeting, different gambling-related organizations and operators began to adopt the Reno Model and integrate it into existing and new gambling policies around the world.Despite the clearly stated objectives of RG, many operators claimed the adoption of the Reno Model without subsequently empirically evaluating the impact of activities that stakeholders presumptively considered responsible gambling.One striking example is the widely used logo "Play Responsibly," adopted by many operators around the world who printed or displayed this message on many gambling products, brochures, and venue signs.Fortunately, some international organizations insisted on more empirical evidence to meet different levels of RG certification, such as the World Lottery Association (e.g., https:// www.world-lotte ries.org/ servi ces/ indus try-stand ards/ respo nsible-gaming-frame work/ princ iples).Unfortunately, this context provided opportunities for many operators to adopt a variety of purported RG initiatives without developing sound and rigorous strategies to assess their impact.Furthermore, this situation set the stage for some scientists, and laypeople alike, to make questionable claims (e.g., Handcock & Smith, 2017) about RG and the activities that are associated with RG (e.g., long-term effects of voluntary self-exclusion or the use of various pamphlets to self-assess patrons' gambling activities).Taking into account the short time period since the emergence of RG, and the dramatic expansion of legalized gambling, some scientists strongly questioned the claims of stakeholders regarding the positive effects of RG (e.g., Williams, West, & Simpson, 2012).