Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health wins American Gambling Awards' Responsible Gaming Award

The American Gambling Awards, produced by iGaming industry player acquisition services provider Gambling.com, announced that the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) has won the 2023 “Responsible Gaming Award.”

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the MACGH created and operates a Voluntary Self-Exclusion program (VSE), described by the awards as "the first of its kind in North America."

Self-exclusion programs limit or block access to gambling services for individuals who have volunteered to be excluded and have proven to be very effective at reducing gambling-related harm, according to experts.

The MACGH conducted an online advertising campaign to raise awareness about their VSE program. This outreach, combined with multilingual support in over 18 languages, shows leadership from MACGH, a press release says. 

Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group, said: "The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health has been a leader in developing prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk players.

Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group

"Many regulators and other stakeholders across the U.S. industry could learn from the MACGH and other self-exclusion success stories around the world. These programs work, and I hope to see more such schemes emerge across the regulated American landscape to ensure consumers have all the tools necessary to limit their access to gambling services, where needed."

"This recognition from the American Gambling Awards and Gambling.com Group motivates us to continue developing innovative, responsible gaming initiatives," said MACGH Chief Executive Officer Marlene Warner.

"We hope our Voluntary Self-Exclusion program inspires other jurisdictions to adopt similar measures to promote informed gambling choices."