01
Reality Check
A pop-up triggered at certain time intervals to remind users to take a break or stop playing.
Responsible Gambling Hub
Responsible Gambling Index. Open methodology. Same rules for everyone.
Responsible Gambling Index is the published methodology Gamblers Connect uses to score responsible-gambling controls across operators and game providers. Twelve weighted criteria for each, five tiers from Poor to Exceptional, applied the same way to paid and unpaid reviews. This page documents the full framework.
Operator Criteria
12
Game Provider Criteria
12
Tier Scale
5
Operators Reviewed
300+
Game ProvidersReviewed
10+
Overview
Why we built Responsible Gambling Index and what it sets out to do
Our Methodology
Why we built Responsible Gambling Index.
Gambling is one of the most engaging forms of entertainment in the world. It is also a sector where the gap between operators on safer-play controls is large, and where the harm caused by weak controls is real and well documented. The information available to the industry on which operators take responsible gambling seriously, and which do not, has historically been fragmented across regulator filings, audit reports, and operator marketing pages.
RGI is our attempt to fix that. We score every operator and game provider we cover against the same published criteria, with the same five-tier scale, and we publish the full criteria openly. Operators and Game Providers that meet the standard get the tier they earn. Those that do not are scored honestly. The methodology is applied the same way to paid and unpaid reviews. Scoring is owned by editorial; commercial relationships do not adjust outcomes.
The five-tier scoring scale
Operators and game providers are scored from 1 to 12 and assigned one of five tiers
Tier 1
1 – 2
Poor
Fails to meet the basic criteria and provides minimal responsible-gambling resources.
Tier 2
3 – 4
Concern
Provides some essential resources but does not meet general safer-play best practice.
Tier 3
5 – 8
Average
Meets the baseline of basic tools and policies and can be considered committed to responsible gambling.
Tier 4
9 – 10
Great
Goes further than the baseline with advanced responsible-gambling tools and policies in place.
Tier 5
11 – 12
Exceptional
Maintains a near-complete set of responsible-gambling controls with documented practice and oversight.
12 RGI criteria for Casino Operators
Every operator we cover is scored against these 12 criteria, regardless of brand, size, or commercial relationship
02
Self-Exclusion
Allowing customers to put their account on a temporary (reversible) hiatus.
03
Prevention of Underage Gambling
Checking the age of customers who appear to be, or are suspected of being, underage or minors.
04
Responsible Gambling Policy
Policies and programs designed to prevent and reduce potential harms associated with gambling.
05
Access Account History
Providing customers with easily accessible information about their current balances and facilities that enable them to review previous gambling and account transactions.
06
Ethical and Responsible Marketing
Operators comply with relevant regulatory advertising codes of practice. Adverts must be factually correct and must not target underage or vulnerable customers, including those who have self-excluded. Direct marketing requires consent before using the customer's personal details.
07
Deposit Limits
Used for enforcing a limit on deposits.
08
Wagering Limits
Setting limits on how much money the customer wishes to wager while playing.
09
Session Limits
Customers can set a Session Time Limit in addition to other limits offered by the operator. Allows the customer to be in control of the time spent gambling, with options for Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Time Limits.
10
Loss Limits
Setting a limit on how much funds the customer can lose or transfer for a period of their choice.
11
Self-Assessment
If a customer is concerned about their gambling, or suspects they may be developing a gambling problem, they can take a Self-Assessment Test. The results help them understand their gambling habits and address any potential issues.
12
Budget Calculator
A tool to analyse spending habits and review how much of a customer's discretionary income is spent on gambling.
12 RGI criteria for Game Providers
Same five-tier scale, criteria adapted for upstream control owners: studios, content providers, and platform suppliers
01
Regulatory Compliance
Shows the licences and certificates held by the provider and whether it is a licensed B2B provider of online casino games.
02
ISO/IEC
The commitment to delivering customer satisfaction and meeting customer expectations. Certification scope: design, implementation, and support of hardware and software solutions for online gambling.
03
Certifications (RNG)
Providing services with an official Certification of Random Number Generator (RNG) Evaluation by certified test labs.
04
Game Restrictions
Offering API functions to restrict gameplay across various gaming options (e.g. maximum bet in a game, in-game limits, etc.).
05
Game Speed
Adjusting and optimising the speed of games to ensure user safety (e.g. adjusting delay time between different game rounds).
06
Visible Clock
Providing a clock or time display option to help users keep track of how long they are playing and improve time management.
07
Reality Check
A pop-up triggered at certain time intervals to remind users to take a break, with the amounts they have lost and won shown.
08
Self-Exclusion
Allowing customers to put their account on a temporary (reversible) hiatus, i.e. self-exclude from gaming.
09
Advertising Standards Authority
Guidance on advertising rules for gambling ads and complying with Advertising Standards Authority rulings.
10
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
Complying with benchmarks for social and environmental responsibility and following ESG practices and activities.
11
Participation in Studies on Treatment and Prevention of Gambling Addiction
Donating to or participating in research on the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
12
Restricting Underage Gambling
Taking action to prevent and restrict underage gameplay (e.g. displaying a banner, age-verification gating).
Methodology integrity
How the score is produced, who owns it, and how the firewall between editorial and commercial works
Same methodology, paid or unpaid
Every operator and game provider is scored under the same published rubric, whether the review is paid (commissioned by the operator) or unpaid (initiated by editorial). Listings are paid; outcomes are not for sale.
Editorial owns the score
RGI scores are produced by editorial staff. The Commercial team has no preview rights, no veto, and no ability to adjust outcomes. Where new information meaningfully changes the picture, scores are refreshed.
Right of factual reply
Subjects of an RGI score have a right of factual reply before publication. Where a score relies on a factual error we will validate and correct it. The published version reflects editorial's final decision.
Refreshed on triggering events
Scores are not static. They are refreshed on a rolling cadence and on triggering events: licence renewal, ownership change, regulator action, material editorial enquiry, or substantiated complaint.
The Annual RGI Report
Once a year, we aggregate the RGI scores into a depth analysis report
Industry Reference
Patterns, leaders, laggards. Across the reviewed operator population.
The Annual RGI Report aggregates the scores produced across the year and surfaces what the data shows: which jurisdictions correlate with stronger controls, which criteria are most often missing, where the operator population is improving, and where it is regressing. The first edition was published in September 2024. The report is read by operators, regulators, investors, harm-reduction practitioners, and journalists.
Read the Annual ReportHelplines and harm-reduction bodies
The organisations we signpost across our editorial coverage and operator review pages
🌐 International
Gamblers Anonymous
A worldwide community offering peer support for anyone recovering from a gambling problem.
BetBlocker
A free responsible-gambling blocking application that prevents access to thousands of gambling sites at the device level. Translated into Serbian via a Gamblers Connect partnership.
Gambling Therapy
International online support and counselling, available in multiple languages.
EPIC Risk Management
Global gambling-harm minimisation through education, lived-experience speakers, and harm-prevention training.
Gam-Anon
Worldwide self-help fellowship for partners, family, and friends affected by someone else's gambling.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 🇮🇪 Ireland
GamCare
The UK's leading source of free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Operates the National Gambling Helpline.
GambleAware
A charity that funds research, education, and treatment to reduce gambling-related harm in Great Britain.
Gordon Moody
A UK charity offering free, intensive treatment for severe gambling addictions, including residential support.
GAMSTOP
The UK's national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. One sign-up blocks all participating UKGC-licensed sites.
Problem Gambling Ireland
Information, signposting, and support for people in the Republic of Ireland affected by problem gambling.
🇺🇸 United States · 🇨🇦 Canada
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
The leading US national resource. Operates a 24/7 confidential helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and connects callers to local services.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential 24/7 treatment-referral service for individuals and families facing substance-use and behavioural-addiction issues across the US.
ConnexOntario
A free and confidential health-service information line for residents of Ontario experiencing gambling-related issues.
Responsible Gambling Council (CA)
A Canadian non-profit dedicated to reducing gambling-related harm through innovation, awareness, and standards.
🇦🇺 Australia · 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Gambling Help Online (AU)
Free, 24/7 confidential support, information, and counselling for all Australians affected by gambling.
BetStop (AU)
The Australian National Self-Exclusion Register. One registration blocks all licensed Australian online gambling providers.
Gambling Helpline NZ
Free, confidential 24/7 telephone, text, and online support for people in New Zealand affected by gambling.
🇩🇰 Denmark · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇫🇮 Finland
StopSpillet (DK)
The Danish national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme overseen by Spillemyndigheden.
Spelpaus (SE)
The Swedish national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme overseen by Spelinspektionen.
Hjelpelinjen (NO)
The Norwegian national gambling helpline. Free, confidential support and counselling.
Peluuri (FI)
Finnish national support service for people experiencing gambling-related issues, run by A-Clinic Foundation.
🇩🇪 Germany · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇪🇸 Spain · 🇮🇹 Italy
BZgA · Spielen mit Verantwortung (DE)
The German Federal Centre for Health Education's gambling-prevention service, with a national helpline.
CRUKS (NL)
The Dutch Central Register for Excluding Games of Chance. National self-exclusion scheme overseen by KSA.
Federacion Espanola de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados (ES)
Spanish federation of associations supporting people recovering from gambling addiction across the country.
Telefono Verde · Istituto Superiore di Sanita (IT)
The Italian Ministry of Health's free, confidential helpline for people affected by problem gambling.
Regulators and standards bodies
The organisations that license operators, certify game fairness, and set responsible-gambling standards
UKGC
UK Gambling Commission
The official body that regulates all commercial gambling in Great Britain.
MGA
Malta Gaming Authority
The Maltese regulator covering remote and B2B gaming, with broad reach across European operators.
SPM
Spillemyndigheden (DK)
The Danish Gambling Authority. Oversees licensing, responsible-gambling controls, and the national StopSpillet self-exclusion scheme.
SPI
Spelinspektionen (SE)
The Swedish Gambling Authority. Enforces the licensing regime and the Spelpaus self-exclusion scheme.
HMGOG
HM Government of Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Licensing Authority and Gambling Division. A long-established remote-gambling jurisdiction.
CGB
Curacao Gaming Control Board
The regulator under the Curacao National Ordinance on Games of Chance. Covers remote gaming licensees.
KGC
Kahnawa:ke Gaming Commission
A self-governing First Nations gaming regulator based in Kahnawa:ke, Quebec. Issues remote gambling licences and oversees compliance under the Mohawk Council.
JCJ
Junta de Control de Juegos (Panama)
The Panamanian Gambling Control Board, operating under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Regulates online gaming licences.
JPS
Junta de Proteccion Social (Costa Rica)
The Costa Rican Social Protection Board. Oversees the data-processing licence regime used by online operators based in Costa Rica.
AOFA
Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority
Issues international gambling licences from Anjouan in the Comoros archipelago. A small-jurisdiction regulator we cover.
MISA
Mwali International Services Authority
Issues international gambling licences from the autonomous island of Moheli (Mwali) in the Comoros.
TGC
Tobique Gaming Commission
A First Nations gaming regulator based in Tobique, New Brunswick, Canada. Issues remote gambling licences.
eCOGRA
eCOGRA
A leading international testing agency that certifies online gaming software for fairness and consumer protection.
GLI
Gaming Laboratories International
An accredited test laboratory operating across multiple licensing regimes for software and hardware certification.
IAGR
International Association of Gaming Regulators
A global membership body where gaming regulators around the world share knowledge, standards, and best practice.
RGF
Responsible Gambling Foundation
An industry standards body focused on responsible-gambling practice across operators, providers, and partners.
Read further
Three places to go deeper after this page
All Policies
The complete published methodology, weighting, and tier definitions in our Policies hub.
Open Policies →Get Listed in iHub
For operators and providers ready to be reviewed and scored under the RGI framework.
Open Get Listed →Contact us
Editorial enquiries, methodology questions, right of reply, and complaints.
Open Contact →