Scientific Games Corporation, better known in the gaming industry by its acronym SG, has announced that it has been awarded an iCAP (Internet Compliance Assessment Program) certification for its iLottery platform in Pennsylvania.
iCAP certification is considered the golden standard in the USA lottery environment and this achievement puts SG in the select group of operators to have completed all the requirements set forth by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
Pennsylvania iLottery was launched in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength, offering players access a variety of digital lottery products available across desktop and mobile devices. From the first day, the team behind the platform was very serious about adhering to responsible gambling standards.
Pennsylvania Lottery is Committed to Responsible Play and Protecting Players
According to Drew Svitko, the executive director for Pennsylvania Lottery, the iCAP certificate is a testimony of the company’s commitment to provide a safe and responsible environment for all players, providing them with all the tools required to stay in full control of their gaming habits.
“By working with Scientific Games, the Lottery team and Responsible Gambling experts in the industry, we were able to take a deeper dive into our iLottery program’s Responsible Gambling Initiative and ensure we are doing the right thing,” Svitko was quoted as saying in a press release announcing the achievement. The recognition by iCAP indicates they have done a good job of it.
Pat McHugh, SG’s Lottery Group Chief Executive, also extended his congratulations to the Pennsylvania Lottery, emphasizing that Scientific Games as a whole is very committed to and passionate about responsible gambling.
Keith Whyte of NCPG congratulated the Pennsylvania Lottery as well. “Our rigorous assessment process provides the Lottery and Scientific Games with specific, actionable feedback to help better protect players and reduce problem gambling related harm,” Whyte said.
The NCPG has worked hard to create its Internet Responsible Gambling Standards, gathering information from numerous jurisdictions around the world to come up with the best and most effective solutions. Many of NCPG’s ideas, suggestions, and principles were later incorporated into regulation and legislation of numerous US states offering iLottery games.
Scientific Games supports efforts by NCPG and other responsible gambling organizations around the world. They were among the first providers to join the World Lottery Association and the first company to enter the Global Lottery Monitoring System. The iCAP certificate serves as another proof of their commitment to creating the safest possible environment for their customers.
Other Online Gaming in Pennsylvania
Beyond lottery games on the internet, the state of Pennsylvania also allows other forms of igaming including online poker, casino games and sports betting.
Currently, PokerStars PA is the only legal regulated online poker room available in the Keystone State. However, in recent months other operators have received authorization from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board which could lead to the opening of other online poker rooms in the state. Potential poker rooms that could launch in the coming months include partypoker PA, WSOP PA and 888poker PA.
As far as online casino games, Hollywood Casino was one of the first online casinos authorized to operate in the state. There are currently ten casinos in the state that are offering online slots and table games (such as craps, video poker and blackjack).
Sports betting is also available online in Pennsylvania. Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), a federal law which prohibited most states from allowing sports betting, the PGCB authorized both retail and online sports betting in the state.
Daily Fantasy Sports, games offered over the internet that are closely related to traditional sports betting, are also available online and regulated in the state.
