Bally's, Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling Team Up for Responsible Gaming Education Month

​As gambling continues its rapid shift from casino floors to smartphone screens, local and corporate leaders are joining forces this September to make sure players have the tools they need to keep the game fun—not financially devastating.
September marks Responsible Gaming Education Month, and two key figures in Rhode Island's gambling landscape sat down recently to discuss what that means for players across the state. John Cipolla, director of the Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling (RICPG), and David Souza, Bally's Responsible Gaming Manager for North America, shared insights into how their organizations are working together to promote safer gambling habits as the industry evolves.
A Shift From Brick-and-Mortar to Mobile
Souza, who has spent 24 years with Bally's, including a stint as vice president of slot operations, said his role now bridges the gap between the company's physical casinos and its growing footprint in iGaming and sports betting.
"My responsibilities are to ensure that every property—brick and mortar and iGaming—is following the procedures and regulatory requirements set by the jurisdiction," Souza said. "But it's important to note that with Bally's, we don't just do the bare minimum."
That commitment includes going beyond state-mandated guidelines to offer additional safeguards. One example is a pilot program in Evansville, Indiana, that allows family and friends—not just the players themselves—to request self-exclusion tools on someone's behalf.
"Problem gambling doesn't just impact a player. It can impact the family. It can impact the friends," Souza said. "We're trying to establish a lifeline that allows their friends and family to get involved and possibly help somebody who may actually have an addiction to gambling."
Tools Built Into the Apps
For players using Bally's sports betting and iGaming platforms, responsible gambling tools are built directly into the technology. Time limits, deposit limits, and wager limits are all available to help prevent gambling from becoming a problem in the first place.
"Those are all tools in place to help someone so it doesn't become a problem," Souza said, noting that even first-time users can explore cool-off periods—short breaks from play—or longer self-exclusion options that require a minimum one-year commitment.
Bally's also trains its physical casino staff to recognize warning signs of problem gambling and provides brochures, stickers, and other resources for patrons who may not feel comfortable approaching an employee directly.
The company also monitors behavioral patterns for signs of risk. "If we start seeing a big deviation from what their trends may or may not be, that could symbolize that there is an issue going on," Souza said. "We'll also step in and help that individual out by pointing that out in a professional, caring manner."
A Cultural Commitment
Souza compared the responsibility to that of a bartender who refuses to serve a visibly impaired patron. "We understand that we have a big responsibility," he said. "We know the kind of responsibility that we have to ensure that they're playing responsibly to the best of our ability."
He added that Bally's security staff are trained to watch for signs of impairment tied to alcohol consumption as well, since intoxication can compound gambling risks.
"At the end of the day, you really shouldn't be drinking and gambling all that much if you're getting to the point of impairment," Souza said.
Rhode Island's Frontline Resource
While Bally's builds tools into its platforms, RICPG works to educate the public and connect struggling gamblers with treatment. Cipolla, who also works with the Problem Gambling Services (PGS) treatment program, said the organization has increasingly shifted its focus toward prevention and awareness.
"The vast majority of the treatment and educational program and training that's done here in Rhode Island is funded by Bally's," Cipolla said. "Bally's is funding the vast majority of all the programming from A to Z—prevention, education, responsible gambling, all the way to treatment and self-exclusion."
Cipolla noted that while March has traditionally been the state's biggest awareness push through Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), September's Responsible Gaming Education Month has taken on new significance as gambling has moved from physical locations into people's pockets.
"Now that gambling has evolved over to mobile apps, it's on your phone. We've got gambling 24/7 in our pocket," Cipolla said. "It's important to really get the message out and educate and make aware the responsible gambling tools that are available."
His goal, he said, is to normalize responsible habits from the very start—rather than waiting until a problem develops. "There's no sense in waiting for someone to have a problem and then tell them to be responsible," Cipolla said. "We want to normalize: let's be responsible right from the beginning."
Getting the Message Out
RICPG has recently expanded its outreach efforts beyond the Rhode Island Council's core work, partnering with colleges, schools, and regional prevention coalitions that traditionally focused on substance use and tobacco to help spread awareness about gambling risks as well.
Cipolla pointed to a few warning signs residents can watch for in themselves—such as consistently exceeding a planned deposit amount. "If it's the first, second, third time that maybe you intended, you only deposited $200 and you intended to only do $200, and yet you went over that—that's a red flag," he said.
Rhode Islanders looking to learn more can visit ricpg.com or problemgamblingservices.com, both of which offer video tutorials, educational materials, and helpline information.
Entertainment, Not Employment
Both men emphasized that gambling should remain a form of entertainment, not a financial strategy—and that the resources exist to help players keep it that way.
"We want you to come down, we want you to play, we want you to have a good time for sure, but let's do it responsibly," Souza said, adding that the industry is paying closer attention to demographic shifts, including a younger audience now engaging in sports betting.
For those who may already be struggling, Cipolla stressed that help is available and stigma-free. "Now the whole community is ready to help you," he said. "The Bally's community, the state—they're ready to help you work on your problem."
Rhode Islanders seeking help or more information on responsible gambling tools can call 1-800-MY-RESET or visit ricpg.com.