In November 2008 Gaming Care received official approval from the Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) as an Approved Intervention Agency (AIA) with the IGA writing “That this is a significant step in enhancing the sensitivity of gaming environments to the needs and vulnerabilities of gaming patrons”.

This milestone came about as a result of the IGA’s recognition of the commitment of the Industry through the work of the Agency since it’s inception in 2005.

In 2006, South Australia’s Independent Gambling Authority (IGA) in its “Review Regulatory Functions Codes of Practice, game approval guidelines and gaming machine licensing guidelines’ Report acknowledged the significant impact made by the Industry through the Gaming Care initiative and announced publicly that if it were not for Gaming Care (and Club Safe) then additional measures other than those recommended within second stage codes of practice would be imposed on venues.

Exemptions from five second stage code of practice measures are available to those venues that enter into a formal working arrangement with Gaming Care.

“if it were not for the emergency of Gaming Care and Club Safe.. the Authority would now be recommending further serious machine number reductions directed at achieving a 30% reduction in the number of premises with gaming..”

In it’s Draft Amendments to the Gaming Machines Act 1992 Consultation Paper, September 2008, the South Australian Government’s Department of Treasury and Finance recommended formalising the recognition of Gaming Care as an Industry Responsible Gambling Agency.

“It is proposed to amend the Act to create provisions that formally recognise industry responsible gambling agencies and the form of responsible gambling agreement between an agency and licensees.”