GeoComply Unveils Multi-State Responsible Gambling Tool PlayPause

It’s only Tuesday, and Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW) 2020 continues to deliver.

Yesterday it was the American Gaming Association’s announcement of its revised advertising code of conduct, and today it’s GeoComply’s PlayPause.

According to the press release, PlayPause is “an innovative tool designed to modernize and strengthen the effectiveness of the iGaming and online sports betting industry’s responsible gaming programs.”

“PlayPause underscores GeoComply’s commitment to offering innovative, market-leading solutions to streamline compliance with complex state regulatory requirements. By utilizing PlayPause along with GeoComply’s award-winning geolocation compliance tools, industry leaders can significantly streamline compliance obligations by managing both geolocation and responsible gaming requirements from the same back-office.”

The release goes on to say that, “PlayPause will be made available free-of-charge to operators via a newly established non-profit organization, Conscious Gaming.”

What Is PlayPause?

PlayPause allows operators to manage their responsible gambling programs in multiple jurisdictions, the first step towards a nationalized system that would allow players to self-exclude and transfer their preferred responsible gambling policies wherever they play – something long overdue.

Here’s What PlayPause will do:

• Expand the protective self-exclusion bubble so that as players move from state to state, the protection they have asked for can also move with them.
• Enable consumers to self-exclude across multiple states to prevent incidents of simply crossing a state line and continuing to gamble.
• Empower operators to strengthen responsible gambling programs and make more data-driven decisions – with greater insights into players that have already self-excluded in one state but need to be recognized and protected if/when they seek to play in another jurisdiction.
• Streamline the administrative burden and eliminate the silos associated with maintaining numerous separate state-operated self-exclusion databases.

What the Experts Think of GeoComply’s PlayPause

“At GeoComply, we’re always looking for ways to leverage technology in a meaningful and responsible way,” says Anna Sainsbury, GeoComply Chairman and Co-Founder. “PlayPause is not only an important compliance tool, but a way we can unite the industry and regulators to deepen their shared commitment to responsible gambling and consumer protection.”

Elizabeth Lanza, Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board added: “Pennsylvania is pleased to be at the forefront of a new responsible gambling tool, designed to strengthen consumer protection and take self-exclusion programs in a new direction.”

Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), echoed this sentiment, noting: “Creating a multi-state self-exclusion tool has long been a goal of all stakeholders that are committed to responsible gambling. The NCPG applauds the creation of PlayPause – this is a prime example of how technology and innovation can be leveraged to advance consumer protection and foster a more effective responsible gambling framework across the gambling and sports betting industries.”

Omer Sattar, Co-founder and EVP at Sightline Payments, highlighted: “Sightline enthusiastically supports GeoComply in creating PlayPause, which until now was a missing link in the industry’s arsenal of responsible gambling tools. Our support is reflective of Sightline’s long-standing commitment to responsible gambling and corporate social responsibility. This is a key step to advance all stakeholders’ interest in strengthening consumer protection and providing safeguards to ensure that all gambling products are enjoyed in a responsible way.”