Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association appoints industry veteran George Rover as first Executive Director

The Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association (RGAA) has announced the appointment of George Rover as its first Executive Director to lead the organization.

The industry trade coalition comprises six major players in the US online gambling affiliate sector: Better Collective, Catena Media, FairPlay Sports Media, Gambling.com Group, Spotlight Sports Group, and XLMedia.

As Executive Director, Rover will be responsible for executing the RGAA’s long-term mission to safeguard responsible gambling marketing and advertising practices, according to a press statement. His duties as Executive Director will include fostering responsible affiliate practices, advocating for the needs and interests of the group’s members, promoting sensible regulation, fostering collaboration with industry stakeholders, and advocating for standards of integrity.

George Rover stated: "In the spirit of collaboration - whether it be with state regulators, politicians, legislators or online gambling operators, I look forward to working with key stakeholders and will champion the critical role affiliate companies play in the regulated online gambling ecosystem."

“The formation of the RGAA will provide this essential segment of the industry with an important and constructive voice to promote responsible gambling, prioritizing the best interests of consumers through a unified set of high standards and guidelines to achieve long-term success."

Prior to joining the RGAA, Rover held numerous senior positions with the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, the Office of the Attorney General, and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). At the NJDGE, Rover oversaw the agency’s Service Industry Licensing, Casino Prosecutions, Internet Gaming, and Technical Services Bureaus. 

During his tenure, he directed the successful launch of Internet Gaming in New Jersey and supervised some of the NJDGE’s most complex licensing and organized crime investigations and prosecutions, the RGAA notes.

After his retirement from government service, Rover also worked closely with companies in the gaming sector to form the Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association (SWIMA), a national non-profit organization with the mission to detect and discourage fraud and other illegal activity related to betting on sporting events.

In addition to his role with the RGAA, Rover will continue to support companies in the gaming industry through his strategic gaming advisory company, Princeton Global Strategies.

"We are thrilled to welcome George Rover to the RGAA family,” said Katie McCord, Chair of the Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association. “His unparalleled expertise, spanning decades in casino and sports betting law, will undoubtedly elevate our organization. George's substantial contributions to the industry, including spearheading initiatives like SWIMA, showcase his commitment to integrity and innovation."

Under his new role, Rover participated in a fireside chat at the Next.io Online Gambling and Sports Betting Summit in New York on March 4th to discuss the dangers of the offshore and unregulated market in the US.