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Pennsylvania Spotlighted as National Leader in Responsible Gambling at AGA Event

AGA spotlighted Pennsylvania as a leader in responsible gambling at its Harrisburg roundtable, highlighting safeguards and collaboration.
aga held responsible gambling roundtable in harrisburgh
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Corey Sharp Avatar
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The American Gaming Association capped off Responsible Gaming Education Month with a high-level leadership roundtable in Harrisburg, underscoring Pennsylvania’s role as a national leader in advancing responsible gambling practices.

The event brought together regulators, operators, and responsible gambling advocates to share insights on the future of player protections and collaboration within the industry.

Distinguished voices at the table

With Pennsylvania among the most robust gaming markets in the country, the state continues to set a standard for how evidence-based policies can shape safe and sustainable gaming. Joe Maloney, AGA’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications said:

“Pennsylvania’s leadership shows that responsible gaming must be woven into the fabric of the industry.

“As a foundation for all players, responsible gaming builds trust, sustains growth, and ensures players can enjoy gaming in a safe, well-regulated environment.”

The roundtable featured a lineup of experts from across the regulatory and gaming landscape. Speakers included the following professionals:

  • Kevin O’Toole: Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board;
  • Elizabeth Lanza: Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling;
  • Josh Ercole: Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania;
  • Alex Hvizda: Director of Compliance at Penn National Gaming;
  • Cory Fox: Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Sustainability at FanDuel
  • Joe Maloney and Tres York: AGA representatives

York, the AGA’s Vice President of Government Relations, emphasized the importance of open communication in building stronger protections for players.

“Events like this highlight how open dialogue leads to better outcomes. Pennsylvania proves that clear regulations, visible safeguards, and collaboration across stakeholders are key to erasing stigma and delivering sustainable responsible gaming practices that protect players and strengthen communities.”

The PGCB requires online casinos and sports betting operators to have self-imposed
gaming limits on deposits, wagers, spend and play time to protect players.

Lawmakers join the conversation

In addition to industry leaders and regulators, several Pennsylvania legislators attended the session. Their presence signaled the vital role policymakers play in keeping responsible gaming aligned with rapid industry innovation.

By engaging directly with operators and advocates, lawmakers were able to hear firsthand about emerging challenges and solutions.

Looking ahead

The Responsible Gaming Leadership Roundtable is part of the AGA’s broader commitment to making responsible gaming central to the U.S. gaming industry. As Pennsylvania continues to expand its gaming options, the state remains at the forefront of ensuring player protections evolve alongside new opportunities.

The AGA says initiatives like the Harrisburg roundtable are crucial for building a sustainable future where innovation, growth, and responsibility go hand in hand.

About the Author
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Corey Sharp

Lead Writer

Corey Sharp joined Catena Media in 2022 and is the go-to expert for Pennsylvania gambling. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he previously worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC Sports Philadelphia as a sports journalist and content producer. In Corey’s role as Lead Writer for PlayPA, he works alongside a talented team of experts to bring you the most comprehensive and accurate coverage of gambling news in Pennsylvania. Corey’s contacts around the industry makes him a trusted source. Corey produces daily stories and features about the gambling space. Corey graduated from Holy Family University in Philadelphia with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.

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