Better Gambling Forum Holds Second Seminar In New York As Part Of 80th United Nations General Assembly

The Better Gambling Forum presented its Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework to researchers, regulatory board members, mental health experts, and policymakers in the second meeting of the newly formed group in New York last week, as part of the United Nations General Assembly.  

The Forum, held at Hard Rock New York, included panels and breakout sessions led by subject matter experts dedicated to each of the Framework’s pillars. 

Shawn Fluharty, Head of Government Affairs at Play’n GO and current BGF Committee Chair said, “The BGF’s plan is to continue to engage with our peers and confirm our mission as an independent, evidence-based initiative focused on public health and community well-being.”  

The BGF’s work aims to serve as a global platform to unify and strengthen existing player protection efforts by providing a common benchmark.  

Fluharty continued, “Our mission is to create a practical, comprehensive framework that guides sustainable policy, while complementing existing best practices. By developing a common benchmark that unifies jurisdictions across the globe, we can enable a greater collective impact on public health.” 

Central to the RG3P Framework are six core pillars designed to provide a “how-to” guide for jurisdictions and to future-proof policy against emerging technologies and market trends:  

Pillar 1: Education, Informed Choice & Harm Prevention 

Pillar 2: Risk Detection & Intervention 

Pillar 3: Support, Treatment & Recovery 

Pillar 4: Gambling Environment, Product & Marketing 

Pillar 5: Ethical Industry Practices & Accountability 

Pillar 6: Research, Evaluation, & Sustainable Funding 

“The BGF’s current focus is to ensure our peers and community understand how our foundational framework will provide value to policymakers and public health professionals when creating player protection regulations,” added Francis Keyser, a steering committee member. This strategic focus highlights the Forum’s commitment to creating a solid, evidence-based foundation for harm prevention. 

Dr. Harris Eyre is the Executive Director of the Brain Capital Alliance of which the newly formed Better Gambling Forum is part of. Eyre is also a Physician-scientist, and Senior Fellow for Neuro-Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy   

Eyre, said: “Gambling is, and has long been, a part of social life around the world – a source of entertainment, community, and economic vitality. It is not inherently harmful, nor should it be cast in a purely negative light. But its reach and character are changing. 

“Today, gambling is more embedded in our digital environments than ever before – blurring lines with gaming, social media, and entertainment. These shifts bring new opportunities, but also new risks. 

“Whether shaping new policies or evaluating existing ones, RG3P aims to serve as a benchmark and shared language for responsible gambling. By bridging innovation with responsibility, and growth with safeguards, we can position gambling as a healthy form of entertainment – while ensuring we mitigate its risks and protect the most vulnerable.”