Responsible gambling explained

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 customers the option 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] [3]

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.[4] These include:

Additional tools and features that promote responsible gambling:[5]

Underage gambling

The industry has also partaken in commitments to prevent young people from gambling.[6] 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.[7] In 2017, the organization announced a code of conduct for its members, which included specific training requirements for employees to deal with underage gaming.[8]

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.[9] [10]

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.[11]

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 developped in 2011 the "Responsible Remote Gambling Measures - CEN Workshop Agreement 16259:2011" act, which consists of a set of 134 measures aimed at protecting customers and appropriately regulating remote gambling operators in the EU. [12]

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.[13] [14] [15]

Notes and References

  1. News: NatWest to offer help to gambling addicts in high-street branches. Davies. Rob. 2019-10-30. The Guardian. 2019-10-30. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  2. News: Maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals cut to £2. Davies. Rob. 2018-05-17. The Guardian. 2019-10-30. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  3. News: Joseph . David . Responsible Gambling . 24 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Responsible Gambling: Be Aware And Know Your Limits CasinoGuide. www.casinoguide.co.uk. 2019-11-05.
  5. Web site: Tips for Safer Online Gambling: Gamble Responsibly and Reliably . March 29, 2024 . www.jollibe777.co.
  6. Book: Gambling Problems in Youth: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives. Derevensky. Jeffrey. Gupta. Rina. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. 2004. 0306485850. New York. 245.
  7. Book: Futures at Stake: Youth, Gambling, and Society. limited. Shaffer. Howard. Hall. Matthew. Vander Bilt. Joni. George. Elizabeth. University of Nevada Press. 2003. 087417368X. Reno. 217.
  8. News: Associated Press – Casino industry in US has new rules for responsible gambling. Garcia. Regina. 2017-08-03. AGA. 2018-09-04. en.
  9. Web site: Advertising and marketing rules and regulations . Gambling Commission . 7 October 2023 . 17 May 2021.
  10. Web site: Ensuring self-excluded customers do not receive marketing materials . Gambling Commission . 7 October 2023 . 17 May 2021.
  11. Web site: 2022-05-17 . Three Factors to Look Out for To See If an Online Casino Is Reliable and Secure . 2022-05-22 . Legal Desire . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2017-09-22 . European Committee for Standardization (CEN) . 2024-08-06 . European Economic and Social Committee . en.
  13. Web site: 2019-03-13 . Lack of EU betting rules is gambling with online players' safety . 2023-05-08 . POLITICO . en.
  14. Web site: EGBA Responsible Gaming Day . 2023-05-08 . www.responsiblegamingday.eu.
  15. Web site: New Jersey Self-Exclusion Program . 2023-05-10 . njcasimile.com.