A New Era of Player Protection: Why Every Lottery Needs a Responsible Gambling Tech Toolkit

By Amy Gabrila, Director of Player Health, The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Published July 15, 2025

As the gaming industry continues to expand across North America, it is becoming increasingly digitized, accessible, and appealing to a broader range of players. Lotteries are leading innovation through digital platforms, mobile applications, and third-party partnerships. In this rapidly evolving landscape, it is essential that responsible gambling (RG) tools keep pace. Integrating user-friendly, tech-driven solutions into the lottery ecosystem not only empowers players to stay in control and promotes positive play but also strengthens consumer trust and long-term brand integrity.

One practical and effective way to embed player protection into modern lottery operations is through the development and implementation of a comprehensive “Responsible Gambling Tech Toolkit.” A well-designed, evidence-informed RG tech toolkit should center around three core components: digital budgeting tools, online peer support communities, and limit-setting options. These pillars reflect the principles of positive play and align with the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGG), offering a proactive, player-centered approach to responsible gambling in the digital era.

ADVERTISEMENT

Digital Budgeting and Payment Support

Many players do not actively track their lottery spending in real time or over longer periods, which can lead to unintended overspending. The Edge Boost Card is a financial tool and debit card designed specifically for bettors, currently used by organizations like the World Series of Poker. It allows users to separate betting transactions from their primary checking accounts, helping to create a clear boundary between daily finances and gambling activities.

The Boost Card offers several built-in responsible play features, including budgeting tools, spending caps, the ability to set cooldown periods, and options to send transaction alerts to trusted contacts for added accountability. It also allows users to apply universal betting limits across multiple platforms.

With its customizable financial controls, the Edge Boost Card can be easily adapted or integrated into lottery platforms, giving players a simple, effective way to manage and stay within their intended gaming budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

Online Peer Support Communities

Peer support is a foundational pillar of RG, especially as gaming becomes increasingly digital. With more players engaging online or through mobile apps, gambling is fast becoming an isolated activity – making it harder for individuals to recognize harmful patterns or reach out for help. This isolation can increase the risk of gambling-related harm. Online peer support offers a powerful counterbalance to the solitude of online gambling by fostering connection, reducing stigma, and encouraging healthy play through shared, lived experience.

Platforms like GamTalk provide online, peer support communities where players can share stories, ask questions, and connect in real time. Lottery operators can replicate or amplify this kind of support through integrating links to external platforms, like GamTalk, within their apps or websites, or building their own in-app message boards, moderated chatrooms, or storytelling blogs. By embedding peer support into their digital platforms, lotteries can reinforce RG as a shared community value.

ADVERTISEMENT

Digital Limit-Setting Tools

Limit-setting tools are a cornerstone of any effective RG tech toolkit. These features, such as deposit limits, purchase or spending caps, play time restrictions, and cool-off periods, help promote player autonomy and reduce the likelihood of risky play patterns. Lotteries have already successfully incorporated these proactive, proven safeguards into their iLottery interfaces.

For example, the Michigan Lottery allows players to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, time-based session limits, and voluntary self-exclusion options (VSE) in their account settings. Similarly, the Pennsylvania Lottery offers a full suite of limit-setting tools under account settings, including purchase limits, deposit caps, time limits, and VSE options. The North Carolina Education Lottery takes a comprehensive limit-setting approach through its “Play Smart” program, offering deposit and loss limits, VSE and temporary break options. In addition, North Carolina also provides players with a spending calculator, educational resources, and self-assessment quizzes.

Lottery organizations have made strong progress in incorporating digital limit-setting tools into their platforms. But they have the opportunity to continue expanding these offerings. To truly support player health, it is essential that limit-setting tools are highly visible, easy to navigate, and are actively promoted during account setup and routine play.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leading the Way

Responsible gambling is not just a corporate initiative or a box to check – it is a public health imperative. In today’s increasingly digital and mobile-first gambling world, RG tools must be embedded, interactive, and easily accessible, meeting players where they are – on their phones, often playing alone, and in real time.

Lottery organizations have a unique opportunity to continue leading by example by prioritizing player health through an RG Tech Toolkit. Resources and programs tailored to the lottery sector, such as those offered by the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Responsible Gambling Council and the International Center for Responsible Gaming, also provide valuable guidance and support. By investing in tech-forward strategies – like budgeting tools, online peer support platforms, and customizable limit-setting features – lottery operators can foster a culture of positive play. A thoughtfully designed toolkit will empower lottery employees, support customers, and help ensure lottery play remains safe, social, and fun.