The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially launched a comprehensive responsible gambling training initiative aimed at industry professionals, tribal partners, and the general public.
Introduced during an April 28 webinar, the program, headlined “Responsible Play for a Stronger Arizona”, seeks to bridge the gap between compliance and proactive consumer education.
A Regulator’s Evolving Role
Jessica Roza, leader of the ADG’s Public & Intergovernmental Affairs division, emphasized that the department is moving beyond mere oversight.
“As a regulator, we believe that our role is not only just oversight and compliance. We really believe that our role is also consumer protection and public education,” Roza stated during the launch.
The training is structured into three phases and nine modules, requiring approximately three hours to complete. Phase I focuses on the Foundations of Responsible Gaming, establishing a shared understanding of risky play and the “ripple effects” of addiction.
Phase II dives into practical strategies, specifically tackling gambling myths like the “gambler’s fallacy”. Roza noted that players who view gambling as “entertainment rather than income-producing” are significantly less likely to suffer from gambling-related harm.
Breaking the Stigma: No One Faces Addiction Alone
The responsible gambling training initiative in Arizona also includes new Public Service Announcements (PSAs). The first, “Too Young to Bet,” targets the rise in underage gambling, while the second promotes Arizona’s self-exclusion program, which has already seen over 11,000 residents voluntarily sign up.
Roza concluded by reminding the audience that free financial counseling and professional treatment are readily available:
“We want people to know that support exists here, that recovery is possible, and that nobody needs to navigate problem gambling alone.”
