Former Congressman Jeff Duncan to lead the SGLA
WASHINGTON DC – Today marks the establishment of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), a coalition of industry leaders advocating for the online social games industry.
The SGLA aims to ensure key stakeholders better understand this growing industry, including free-to-play, casino-themed games that leverage sweepstakes promotions, which are enjoyed by millions of adults who love the creative, fun entertainment our partners provide.
The SGLA unites market leader operators, service providers and players who share the same passion about the many benefits of this well-established industry, from the high-end entertainment it provides to the economic activity generated across operators, suppliers, investors and consumers. The Alliance puts responsible innovation, player protections, and industry integrity at its core, and is looking forward to engaging with legislators, regulators, media, the general public and other groups.
The SGLA’s partners include leading social gaming operators VGW, PLAYSTUDIOS, Yellow Social Interactive, ARB Interactive and B-Two Operations, along with major payments provider Nuvei.
The Alliance has appointed former Congressman Jeff Duncan as Executive Director.
“Social games industry leaders are already investing heavily in financial security, data privacy, responsible social gameplay and consumer protections. And they are ready and open to sensible regulation that can benefit hard-working constituents in the states where they operate,” said Mr. Duncan, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina’s Third Congressional District.
“The SGLA’s partners are uniquely positioned to work with lawmakers, stakeholders and players to support innovation in digital games and ensure millions of Americans have the freedom to enjoy the games they love in a safe environment. I look forward to working with state and industry leadership to do just that.”
The SGLA aims to set the standard for responsible innovation and advocates for appropriate oversight that recognizes social gaming’s unique entertainment value. All Alliance partners stand for the following principles:
- Free to play: Online social games can always be enjoyed for free. No purchase is ever required to play.
- Responsible social gameplay: All types of online games should be safe, fun and fair. Our partners monitor behavior, train staff, and offer players tools to manage their play responsibly.
- Protecting players, platforms and the community: Best-in-class financial crime prevention, security protocols and data protection measures are a must.
- Age-restricted platforms: We believe casino-themed games are only for adults and require implementation of robust age verification processes to prevent access by minors.
Laurence Escalante, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of VGW, the SGLA’s founding partner, said: “Online social gaming is a well established, popular form of entertainment in North America, where we’ve operated for more than a decade.”
“As a pioneer and market leader, we recognize the rising interest in our sector and our responsibility to both ensure the facts about our games, operations and standards are understood, and advocate for what we believe the appropriate industry frameworks should look like.”
“VGW has consistently led the way in innovation and player-first practices. Now, we’re excited to establish this Alliance with like-minded partners to take this further, promoting the highest standards of player protection and industry integrity while advocating for sensible regulatory frameworks that reflect the role of online social games as a safe and growing component of the interactive entertainment industry.”
Patrick Fechtmeyer, CEO of ARB Interactive, added: “The surge in online social gaming highlights the need for clear, fact-based dialogue that reflects our industry’s commitment to safe, fun, and free-to-play entertainment.”
“At Modo Casino, we’re proud to join the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance to amplify this conversation, champion responsible innovation, and strengthen player protections. With the leadership of former Congressman Jeff Duncan as Executive Director, the SGLA is poised to become a powerful, unifying voice for integrity, trust, and the future of our industry.”
A Yellow Social Interactive Spokesperson said: “As a market leader in our sector, we agree it’s time for a more informed conversation about online social games and acknowledge we have a role to play to both inform that discussion and advocate for what we believe appropriate frameworks and requirements in the future look like. That’s why we’re proud to support the SGLA, which brings together industry leaders to advance these shared goals.”
A Spokesperson for McLuck, one of B-Two Operations’ brands, said: “McLuck is pleased to partner with other industry leaders in the establishment of the SGLA. Given the growth in the social gaming industry, we believe that working with the SGLA on advocating for a responsible and fair social gaming environment will benefit everyone who participates in the industry.”
The SGLA is in continuous talks with other industry partners about supporting our mission.
To learn more about SGLA, please visit our website at www.SGLeadership.org and our social channels at LinkedIn, X, Facebook and BlueSky.
Contact:
Laurie Rossbach
Partner, Seven Letter
202.258.7810
Laurie@SevenLetter.com
About the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) champions social gaming operators who offer innovative, free-to-play entertainment experiences enjoyed by millions of Americans while promoting responsible digital entertainment. Our partners set the standard for innovation, world class games and the responsible use of digital marketing including sweepstakes promotions. We advocate for appropriate oversight that recognizes the unique entertainment value of social online games, protects players, platforms and the community, and promotes responsible gameplay.
The SGLA’s operator partners are VGW, PLAYSTUDIOS, Yellow Social Interactive, ARB Interactive and B-Two Operations, representing Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, Global Poker, Pulsz, Pulsz Bingo, Modo Casino, McLuck, HelloMillions and SpinBlitz. Other partners include major payments provider Nuvei. The SGLA’s advocacy and standards focus exclusively on online social games. Our advocacy does not extend to operators offering sports products or transacting in cryptocurrency.
About Jeff Duncan, SGLA Executive Director
In 2010, Jeff was elected to represent South Carolina’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he held with distinction until 2024. His tenure was marked by significant contributions across several domains, including energy, homeland security and others. Jeff was an integral part of the Republican Whip Team, a member of the Leadership Council under Majority Leader Steve Scalise and contributed significantly to the Republican Study Committee’s Steering Committee and Executive Board. Prior to serving in Congress, Jeff was a member of the South Carolina General Assembly from 2002 to 2010. Before venturing into the political arena, Jeff began his career as a community banker and later founded his own real estate marketing firm. Separate to his role at the SGLA, Jeff is also a Managing Director at Covenant Government Affairs.
