The SPGA Mission
The goal of the SPGA is to emphasize the legality and legitimacy of social sweepstakes. As the popularity of such gaming sites is on the rise, the group is there to ensure consumers understand how gaming works and operators are held accountable based on sweepstakes laws.
Several recognizable names are among the founding members of SPGA, including:
- High 5 Entertainment
- Fliff
- Rolling Riches
- Blazesoft
- Gold Coin Group
- Kickr Games
- KHK Games
- Woopla Gaming
- Octacom
The organization will work with regulators, lawmakers, and consumers to ensure that gaming platforms are understood and operate securely.
Two Internal Committees
The SPGA consists of two internal committees, the Player Safeguards Committee and the Regulatory Compliance Committee. Members in the Player Safeguards section will help develop educational tools and resources to ensure players can safely and responsibly participate in social gaming.
The group will also address consumer complaints and enhance player protection by utilizing Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. The Player Safeguards Committee will be in charge of geolocation, age verification, and spending controls.
With the Regulatory Compliance Committee, the group will create principles for policies that align with existing regulations within the US. Regulators will be provided with information and resources to help them understand a compliance and consumer-first approach to sweepstakes games.
This will include steps operators use to ensure participants’ identity and age and work to limit fraud. Additional emphasis will be placed on providing customers with control over gaming sessions.
To begin with, the SPGA will host a webinar on October 1. Industry experts will discuss the industry’s future during the event.
Sweepstakes Gaming Under Fire
The SPGA was created when the sweepstakes gaming industry was facing growing scrutiny. In August, the American Gaming Association called for a crackdown on the industry, asking gaming regulators and Attorney Generals across the US to investigate services to ensure their legality.
The regulated real money industry is likely worried about the no-purchase necessary model of sweepstakes gaming, as it is more readily available and offers free coins with no deposit.
It will be interesting to see how the SPGA approaches any further comments from the AGA and whether the new organization can help with any further issues that may pop up involving the social sweepstakes market.
