New UN-Backed Organization Seeks Common Standards to Address Gambling Harm
The Better Gambling Forum (BGF) has unveiled a global initiative aimed at creating uniform standards to reduce gambling-related harm. As part of the Brain Capital Alliance, the forum has rolled out its Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework, which it describes as a worldwide guide for policymakers, operators, and health professionals. The BGF also confirmed collaborations with the United Nations and G7/G20 to support the push for harmonized responsible gambling policies.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:This announcement follows discussions within the European Union on new steps to align strategies for tackling gambling harm. The European Gaming and Betting Association has advocated for consistent criteria to spot warning signs of harm, with a parliamentary vote set for September 25. Both efforts reflect growing international recognition that gambling risks cross borders and demand coordinated solutions.
Related: Responsible Gaming Groups Launch Multi-Faceted RG ProgramShawn Fluharty, who chairs the BGF Steering Committee, said the initiative responds to the urgent demand for evidence-driven, unified approaches to gambling harm. He stressed that the RG3P Framework is designed to adapt to future challenges by offering scalable, research-backed measures. To ensure transparency, the BGF will establish an independent Scientific Oversight Committee to evaluate data and oversee the framework's rollout under strict ethical and scientific standards.
That framework is structured around six pillars: education and prevention programs, early risk detection and intervention systems, accessible treatment and recovery services, clear rules for gambling products and advertising, operator accountability with ethical safeguards, and ongoing research funded sustainably. The forum highlights these pillars as the foundation for improving player protection across different markets.
According to the BGF, the framework acts as a practical guide for governments, regulators, and healthcare providers. Its goals include empowering individuals with reliable information, fostering safer gambling environments with stronger ad controls, and ensuring treatment resources are adequately supported. By aligning fragmented national strategies, the forum hopes to establish an international benchmark for player safety.
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BGF member Kevin Winters noted that the mission is to provide a framework that regulators worldwide can adapt to improve existing protections. He added that the growth of online and mobile gambling has accelerated the need for consistent safeguards against emerging risks.
Studies underline these concerns. A meta-analysis published in the *Harm Reduction Journal* found that online gambling poses higher risks because of its fast pace, constant availability, and heavy marketing. Other research shows that between 1% and 5% of adults in multiple countries qualify as problem or pathological gamblers, while millions more experience severe financial and psychological strain tied to gambling activity.
Francis Keyser, a member of the BGF committee, emphasized that while gambling can provide entertainment and economic benefits, its rapid digital expansion brings new challenges. He explained that the six pillars of the RG3P Framework are designed to set gold-standard approaches to prevention, treatment, and regulation, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as youth.
The forum clarified that its aim is not to replace local programs but to offer a consistent set of benchmarks adaptable to varying regulatory environments. While adoption will differ across regions due to political and legal differences, the BGF maintains that a shared foundation of principles can reinforce national initiatives while fostering global cooperation on gambling harm prevention.
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