Massachusetts Gambling Regulator Commissions Research into iGaming and AI
Expertise: Online casinos, Game tester
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The MGC’s Gaming Policy Advisory Council has filed two research priorities regarding the industry’s future in Massachusetts. One study will involve a third-party organization investigating the effects of online casino gaming on public health, potential links to gambling harm, and iGaming’s impact on younger players.
Related: Massachusetts Sports Betting Revenue Sees Drop in April
AI to Improve the Gambling Industry
The second study will explore how AI can improve the state’s gambling industry, enhance marketing and player acquisition, and support responsible gambling policies. The commission is interested in AI’s potential to protect players from harm.
The budget for these two studies is $75,000, and they will be smaller-scale projects compared to recent studies.
These requests are made as Massachusetts’ gambling sector grows rapidly and there are concerns about potential negative effects. Although Massachusetts has not yet legalized iGaming, the MGC aims to evaluate the sector in advance.
Using AI to Combat Problem Gambling
Online gaming is the fastest-growing gambling vertical, but only a few states allow legal online gambling. The slow progress is mainly due to concerns about the addictive nature of online gambling, which is linked to its accessibility. Young people are particularly vulnerable to these readily available gambling products.
The AI study will look at how technology can be used to address problem gambling. The bid document notes that AI is a tool that, if used correctly, can benefit users. However, it also emphasizes the need to consider ethical issues when adopting AI for gambling-related purposes.
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