Gambling regulation up for debate at G7, G20 and UN meetings

This year will see gambling policy, discussed as part of the G7, G20 and UN summits, with leading supplier Play’n GO set to share best practices and to advocate for more regulation to ensure a safe and sustainable market. 

As the industry comes together with neuroscientists, public health experts, and policymakers on a global stage, Play’n GO aims to fundamentally alter the conversation from reactive patchwork legislation to proactive prevention-focused frameworks. 

Shawn Fluharty, Head of Government Affairs at Play’n GO and a US state legislator, spoke to EGR about how the industry's active participation in these forums is essential to construct sustainable, harmonised legislation that safeguard players and decisively shrink the black market worldwide. 

Reframing the conversation on Gambling Regulation 

The inclusion of regulated gambling on the agenda of this year's Brain Economy Forum, held in connection with the G7, G20 and UN meetings, signals a pivotal recognition and an opportunity for regulated gambling to take its rightful place in the global economy discussion. 

As regulated gambling becomes increasingly embedded in digital environments and everyday experiences, it is being acknowledged that without responsible stewardship, it can contribute to behavioural addiction, mental health challenges, and societal and economic strain. 

Traditionally, discussions around problem gambling have centred on treatment after harm has occurred. At the Global Forum on Responsible Gaming and Gambling Policy, a three-part series that will result in recommendations that will help define the next generation of international policy, the emphasis will shift towards early intervention and education. 

By framing regulated gambling within this broader dialogue on mental wellness and addiction prevention, we can collectively strive for sustainable entertainment models that prioritise player wellbeing from the outset.  

Play'n GO's objective is to demonstrate that a thriving gaming industry is not only compatible with, but contingent upon, robust player protection. To achieve genuinely global best practices, rather than a fragmented mosaic of rules, industry voices must be at the table, willing to engage with all stakeholders to shape a truly international framework for responsible gaming. 

Bridging the education gap  

The imperative to discuss regulation and responsible gaming at forums like the G7, G20, and UN is clear. These platforms offer an opportunity to link regulated gambling with overarching brain health and economic agendas. The piecemeal, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction approach to regulated gambling policy, often lacking early industry-led input, too frequently defaults to debates focused solely on treatment after harm has manifested.  

When regulators, neuroscientists, and public health experts convene with industry representatives, we bridge a critical gap in understanding how modern online regulated gambling truly operates. Many policymakers remain unaware that iGaming is readily accessible on virtually every smartphone, even in jurisdictions where it remains unregulated.

This disparity means constituents can gamble without any consumer protections. If the industry remains absent from the table, regulators may inadvertently craft ineffective rules or act too slowly, allowing the black market to proliferate. 

Collaboration is vital for closing this educational deficit. Without direct industry perspective, policy is shaped solely by lawmakers and regulators, missing the crucial real-world context of game design, consumer protections, and the insidious ways illegal operators exploit legislative loopholes. By working together, we can develop cohesive frameworks that shrink the black market and protect consumers. 

At the G7, G20 and UN level, this dialogue expands to a truly global scale. If countries adopt similar best practices, regulators worldwide gain a blueprint, and the black market loses its systemic advantage, not just state by state, but globally. It also legitimizes regulated gambling as economic engine that blends technology, behavioral science, financial analytics and policy innovation.  

Leading the charge for a sustainable industry 

Play’n GO’s overarching goal in participating in these forums is to champion a sustainable gaming model built on entertainment, not predatory practices. Our two decades of success are not accidental. They are a direct result of a consistent, responsible approach to product design, regulation, and player protection. We aim to underscore that a successful company can be built without resorting to short-term revenue tactics that jeopardise player wellbeing. 

From a brand perspective, Play’n GO has proactively cemented its position as an industry leader, consistently taking bold stances, even warning that the industry risks losing a legal, regulated model altogether it fails to self-regulate and take sustainability seriously. At forums like the G7, G20 and the UN, we will reinforce this message.

True sustainability means crafting fun, entertaining games that do not foster addiction. We could easily pursue short-term gains in unregulated spaces, but that goes against our core values. We are here to lead, not merely to react.  

Forging cross-disciplinary dialogue 

Our objective at the G7, G20 and UN summits is about cultivating a cross-disciplinary conversation on topics around Gambling Regulation with the consumer as our primary stakeholder. We will engage with addiction specialists, neuroscientists, and brain economy experts, individuals who typically do not interact directly with regulated gambling companies. This dialogue with real mental health experts and real industry experts is long overdue. 

Merging these perspectives will enable the development of more effective early-intervention strategies and holistic policy recommendations. This level of cross-pollination is rarely achieved in traditional gaming forums and allows us to lay the groundwork for more informed and comprehensive policy approaches. 

From dialogue to action 

Our appearance in these global policy forums is merely another step in a series of conversations we are committed to leading. It is time for the industry to step out of its echo chamber and we are committed to leading from the front.  

Ultimately, our goal is tangible change. We view regulation not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity. We advocate for more of it and take a stance where others do not. 

We understand that many influential industry players share our vision but may not be positioned to vocalise it. By stepping forward, Play’n GO helps build crucial momentum for clear, globally recognised policy frameworks.  

As operators in numerous global markets witness the erosion of regulated channels by black market entities, the value of a strong partnership between regulators and the gaming industry, which benefits everyone, not just our own business, becomes undeniably clear. 

By participating now, we help to establish a robust foundation for sustainable gaming and ensure that future policies effectively protect players and support responsible innovation. In doing so, we aim to guide the entire industry towards greater stability and sustained growth. 

Find the original article by EGR here: https://www.egr.global/intel/insight/gambling-regulation-up-for-debate-at-g7-g20-and-un-meetings/