The newly-created trade group, the Social and Promotional Gaming Association, has just released its Code of Conduct to be followed by members to ensure safety and compliance in social gaming. This code of conduct is geared toward providing a foundation to make sure that social casino operators employ safe business practices and uphold the strictest regulatory standards in their operations.

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association, a recently-formed prominent organization in the social gaming space, has introduced a comprehensive code of conduct for its operator members. This initiative aims to establish robust regulatory standards along with promoting safe business practices across the industry, particularly for operators offering social games, casinos, and promotional sweepstakes.

The timing of the code's implementation coincides with the growing popularity of social casinos and sweepstakes games, which have become a billion-dollar industry in the United States. According to SPGA data, US players have spent more than $40 billion on the offerings of social casinos in the past decade, demonstrating the need for industry standards to protect players and maintain integrity in the market.

Four pillars of the code of conduct

The SPGA's code of conduct is built on four pillars designed to foster compliance, safety, and ethical practices among operators:

  • Age verification
  • Operators are required to ensure that real-money wagering is strictly limited to players aged 18 and older, safeguarding minors from engaging in such activities.
  • Identity verification
  • Proper verification protocols must be in place to authenticate the identities of players, reducing the risk of fraudulent activities.
  • Geolocation verification
  • Operators are mandated to implement geolocation technology to confirm players' locations and ensure compliance with jurisdictional regulations.
  • Anti-money laundering (AML) policies
  • The code requires operators to maintain stringent anti-money laundering policies to monitor transactions and prevent illicit financial activities.

"The pillars of the SPGA code of conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment," said Camilla Wright, an SPGA spokesperson from Red Knot Communications. She added that the standards set by the code go above and beyond the best practices typically associated with traditional social casinos.

A unified effort to elevate industry standards

The introduction of the code of conduct follows the SPGA's establishment in September 2024. Formed by a coalition of 10 founding members, the organization represents a diverse group of companies in the social gaming industry, including Blazesoft, 10 Ten Gaming, FSG Digital, Gold Coin Group, and High 5 Entertainment, among others.

The SPGA's goal is to create a unified framework that not only promotes safety and compliance but also ensures that players have a positive and trustworthy gaming experience.

However, the SPGA's membership notably excludes VGW, the biggest social casino operator in the world, which has opted not to join the association. While the reasons for this decision remain unclear, VGW's absence leaves a gap in the SPGA's representation of the broader industry.

A step toward responsible gaming

By implementing this code of conduct, the SPGA is taking a proactive stance to address the challenges and responsibilities associated with the rapid growth of social casinos and sweepstakes. The organization's emphasis on age, identity, and geolocation verification, along with anti-money laundering measures, highlights its commitment to player protection and industry integrity.

With millions of Americans engaging in social gaming, the SPGA's efforts emphasize the importance of responsible practices and regulatory alignment to ensure the industry's continued growth in a safe and ethical manner.