Responsible gambling

Responsible Gambling, also known as Safer Gambling, is a set of social responsibility initiatives held by the gambling industry – including government regulators, operators, and vendors – to ensure the integrity of their operations and to promote awareness of the harms associated with gambling, such as gambling addiction.

Areas

Gambling addiction

Commitments to promoting awareness of gambling addiction are included within the concept of responsible gambling and can include customer-imposed limits and self-exclusion schemes. In the United Kingdom, several major banks have also offered the ability for customers to block gambling-related transactions on their credit cards. NatWest introduced a pilot in October 2019 to allow GamCare appointments to be scheduled at selected branches.[1] Earlier in the year, the UK also imposed bet limits on fixed odds betting terminals as part of an effort to control gambling addiction associated with them.[2]

In the interest of combating addiction, gambling operators in the UK are also obliged to provide certain tools allowing players to restrict their own play.[3] These include:

  • Self Exclusion / Time Out – allowing players to put their account on temporary (reversible) hiatus.
  • Reality Check – a pop-up is triggered at certain time intervals to remind players to take a break / stop playing.
  • Time Limits – used for setting strict time limits on playing sessions.
  • Deposit Limits / Account Tracker – used for enforcing a limit on deposits.
  • Permanent Account Closure – lets players close their account and cut off all contact with the gambling operator.
  • Credit Card Restrictions - make a request to your bank to block your access to internet transactions

Underage gambling

The industry has also partaken in commitments to prevent those who are not appropriately aged from participating in gambling activities.[4] Key initiatives have included the efforts of the American Gaming Association (AGA), which adopted a comprehensive guideline for underage gambling, as well as the unattended minors guideline developed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.[5] In 2017, the organization announced a code of conduct for its members, which included specific training requirements for employees to deal with underage gaming.[6]

Ethical and responsible marketing

Operators should comply with the relevant regulatory advertising codes of practice which typically ensure that advertisements are factually correct and do not target underage or vulnerable gamblers, such as players who have self-excluded themselves from gambling. It is also expected that operators should seek permission from the customer before engaging in direct marketing through the use of the customer's personal details.[7][8]

Operational requirements

Operators are required to demonstrate internal controls and processes that adhere to the licensing conditions as stipulated by the regulatory jurisdiction that issues gaming and gambling licenses. Internal controls should also be implemented to ensure that all operational, payment and technical systems and processes operate securely and effectively. In addition, operators need to demonstrate adequate business continuity management procedures to ensure that operations can continue in the event of unforeseen circumstances or disasters.[9]

Responsible gaming codes of conduct

To ensure operators, software suppliers, and associated service providers uphold the principles of responsible gaming, codes of conduct have been developed by numerous regulators, trade associations, and non-profit organizations. These competing and overlapping codes of conduct or standards have evolved over time due to the evolution of multiple legal and trade frameworks.

It has been acknowledged within the industry that given the large number of responsible gaming codes of conduct, there is a need to step back and re-assess what is required within the industry. The European Committee for Standardization is in the process of developing Responsible Remote Gambling Measures that can protect customers and ensure that the remote gambling operators, software suppliers, and associated service providers behave responsibly, which would be adopted voluntarily.

Responsible gaming events

Several industry events have been organized to help the industry promote responsible gaming. The European Gaming and Betting Association organize the annual EGBA Responsible Gaming Day conference in the European Parliament in October 2010.[10][11][12]

References
  1. Davies, Rob (2019-10-30). "NatWest to offer help to gambling addicts in high-street branches". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  2. Davies, Rob (2018-05-17). "Maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals cut to £2". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  3. "Responsible Gambling: Be Aware And Know Your Limits | CasinoGuide". www.casinoguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  4. Derevensky, Jeffrey; Gupta, Rina (2004). Gambling Problems in Youth: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. p. 245. ISBN 0306485850.
  5. Shaffer, Howard; Hall, Matthew; Vander Bilt, Joni; George, Elizabeth (2003). Futures at Stake: Youth, Gambling, and Society. Reno: University of Nevada Press. pp. 217. ISBN 087417368X.
  6. Garcia, Regina (2017-08-03). "Associated Press – Casino industry in US has new rules for responsible gambling". AGA. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  7. "Advertising and marketing rules and regulations". Gambling Commission. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. "Ensuring self-excluded customers do not receive marketing materials". Gambling Commission. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  9. "Three Factors to Look Out for To See If an Online Casino Is Reliable and Secure". Legal Desire. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  10. "Lack of EU betting rules is gambling with online players' safety". POLITICO. 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  11. "EGBA Responsible Gaming Day". www.responsiblegamingday.eu. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  12. "New Jersey Self-Exclusion Program". njcasimile.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
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