The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) is an international trade organisation based in Canada but which operates worldwide. The IGC operates as a non-profit making foundation and provides unified representation for the online gaming industry to the world as it promotes initiatives to support the industry and deal with the burgeoning challenges and opportunities that have come with the exponential growth in worldwide online gaming. The primary purpose of the IGC is to promote responsible and fair online gaming around the world in the interests of its membership, consumers and society generally.
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The IGC promotes its own Code of Practice in respect of advertising by its membership. The Code encompasses all forms of online advertising by members through their websites and elsewhere such as with affiliates; the Code is designed to supplement the national regulatory rules which apply to members in the countries where they are based and operate.
Primarily the Code seeks to ensure that members marketing and advertising efforts are honest, legal and truthful as well as complying with local standards of decency. This voluntary compliance with the Code demonstrates that IGC members and the industry generally are upholding the integrity and professionalism of the gaming industry as it continues in its efforts to demonstrate successful self-regulation. Violating the Code will ultimately lead to suspension of membership and finally expulsion.
The Code goes into great detail with respect to the standards expected of the gaming operator's website including the prominent display of IGC membership and a link, the operators physical contact information and location and the contact information for resolving consumer disputes as well as telephone support.
The Code also provides detail on advertising generally and seeks to impose the same standards as for an operator's website. Further, the Code imposes strict obligations with respect to customer information and the purposes to which customer information can be used, particularly private information and payment details. Advertising also must readily identify the member so consumers are not misled as to the real purpose of the marketing or who is actually seeking to benefit from it. The Code also applies to general advertising that is conducted by third parties such as affiliates or sponsoring businesses and provides a very wide catch-all for all forms of marketing activity whether direct or indirectly conducted.
The IGC also works closely with the numerous other self-regulatory and official regulators around the world and it has a very ambitious mission and remit. Not only is the IGC very active in promoting a healthy online gaming industry but it also provides expert industry insight for legislators and commentary upon legal developments as they arise around the world and with the US online gaming ban, is particularly active in lobbying within the United States.
The IGC is also very active in promoting socially responsible gaming and also has standards and best practice rules for ensuring that operators do not abuse consumers nor expose minors and vulnerable people to the adverse impact of irresponsible gaming activities. The IGC has the "Helping Hand" program which helps those who are affected find the care givers who can help them with their gaming issues and is also active in promoting research into this area.
