With so many gaming sites popping up on the web, it's hard to keep them in line with one another. Various entities work hard to ensure that no rogue sites are implementing policies that give the industry a bad name. One of the more reputable groups out there, the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), is an association that serves as a collective voice for the interactive gaming industry.

With the always changing atmosphere of online gaming, the IGC works hard to ensure that players are treated fairly in an honest environment, and that people employ responsible gaming. The IGC takes a two-pronged approach: improving the sites offering the games, and increasing awareness among those playing the games.

All members of the IGC are wholly dedicated to achieving the goals-even if lofty-they outline, and like any reputable community, they welcome new members and comments and support from individuals with constructive criticism and ideas on how to improve the Council's effectiveness and leadership capabilities.

The IGC works by building credibility in the gaming industry and creating various membership benefits by aggressively addressing and pursuing legislative and regulatory challenges and opportunities. Unlike other unions throughout the world, the IGC doesn't get involved in the for-profit world. Asking for dues and lobbying only works to sully reputations and impede progress.

By presenting a legitimate, unified front, the IGC is able to effect change in the industry, and thus fairer games, better regulations, and more information on the adverse effects of prolonged gambling are available to more players.

The IGC insists that all players realize that gambling activities, though only intended to be a form of entertainment, have the potential to cause social harm to any individual and their respective families and communities. Because of this, the Responsible Gaming Guidelines, formulated by the IGC, are essential to promote better education in gamers, and also better business practices in companies offering games to customers.

IGC members, including gaming sites and other individuals in the gaming world, agree to comply with the IGC's Code of Conduct and uphold the principles of the Responsible Gaming Guidelines.

For interactive gamers and operators, the IGC offers the Helping Hand Problem. This program has a strong interest in preventing harm among those who participate in gambling games. The program focuses attention on a few areas, including responsible gaming, understanding the risks associated with gambling, addressing those concerns by providing tools and resources, and also protecting children from gambling.

The IGC is also associated with GamAid, an organization in place to provide online support for troubled gamblers around the world. Any person requiring information about gambling can speak to a qualified professional in the field via online chat or email, and all information is strictly confidential. These services can be found in the USA, UK, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Malta, Israel, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, and many other countries.