The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has secured Partner Member status on the International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) Responsible Gambling Committee, positioning the Canadian organization to influence global player protection standards with its evidence-based harm prevention approach.
The appointment enables RGC to leverage more than 40 years of prevention expertise in shaping international responsible gambling frameworks. IGSA's committee brings together stakeholders from across the global gaming industry to develop standards that govern player protection practices worldwide.
Evidence-Based Standards Development
RGC's participation reflects a strategic push to ensure global standards incorporate proven harm prevention methodologies rather than theoretical approaches. The organization brings a practitioner's perspective spanning player-facing programs, operator accreditation systems, and research initiatives.
"Global standards for responsible gambling require input from those working closest to the evidence. Being part of IGSA's committee means RGC can help ensure those standards reflect what we know actually works to prevent harm."
— Tracy Parker, SVP, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights at RGC
The committee launched its work this month, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to establish comprehensive responsible gambling standards that can be implemented across multiple jurisdictions.
IGSA's Global Standards Framework
The International Gaming Standards Association, founded in 1998, operates as a non-profit trade association developing standards and best practices for gaming operators, regulators, and suppliers. The organization maintains offices in North America, Macau, Malta, and Japan, reflecting its reach across key gaming markets.
IGSA's Responsible Gambling Committee specifically focuses on creating frameworks that address how gambling harm prevention is implemented across different regulatory environments. The committee's work influences technical and operational standards that affect player protection measures globally.
40
Years of RGC prevention expertise
1998
Year IGSA was founded
4
Global office locations (North America, Macau, Malta, Japan)
RGC's Accreditation Expertise
RGC brings significant credibility through its internationally recognized RG Check accreditation program, which has established benchmarks for responsible gambling practices. The organization's experience spans direct player engagement, operator certification, and collaboration with regulators, treatment providers, and community organizations.
The Canadian organization works with stakeholders across the responsible gambling ecosystem, including people with lived experience, to ensure comprehensive approaches to harm prevention. This multi-stakeholder perspective positions RGC to contribute practical insights to IGSA's standards development process.
RG Check Accreditation Program
RGC's internationally recognized RG Check accreditation program has established benchmarks for responsible gambling practices across the industry. The program works with stakeholders including people with lived experience, regulators, treatment providers, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive approaches to harm prevention.
Broader Industry Collaboration
RGC's IGSA appointment follows recent partnership activity, including a formalized collaboration with the International Center for Responsible Gaming focused on advancing gambling harm prevention research, education, and policy. The organizations plan to make their public debut at Discovery 2026 in April.
Strategic Implications for Operators
The integration of RGC's evidence-based approach into IGSA's standards development signals a shift toward more rigorous, research-backed responsible gambling requirements. Operators should expect standards that reflect proven harm prevention methodologies rather than generic compliance frameworks.
RGC's four-decade track record in harm prevention research and program implementation provides the committee with practical insights into what actually works versus theoretical approaches. This expertise could influence how player protection measures are structured and implemented across jurisdictions, potentially affecting compliance requirements and operational practices for gaming operators worldwide.
RGC's Partner Member status allows the organization to influence global player protection standards with its 40 years of evidence-based harm prevention expertise. This positioning ensures international standards incorporate proven methodologies rather than theoretical approaches.
Operators should expect more rigorous, research-backed responsible gambling standards that reflect proven harm prevention methodologies. This could influence compliance requirements and operational practices across different jurisdictions globally.
RGC contributes four decades of prevention expertise, including its internationally recognized RG Check accreditation program, direct player engagement experience, and collaboration with regulators and treatment providers. The organization brings a multi-stakeholder perspective that includes people with lived experience.
Preparing for Evidence-Based Standards
Gaming operators should prepare for more rigorous, research-backed responsible gambling requirements as RGC's evidence-based approach becomes integrated into IGSA's global standards. Focus on implementing proven harm prevention methodologies rather than generic compliance frameworks to stay ahead of evolving requirements.
According to Responsible Gambling Council.
