If you have played at top-rated regulated online casinos, then you have seen a link to a responsible gambling page. Responsible gaming encompasses various policies that operators and other stakeholders must implement to protect consumers. Problem gambling is one of the potential negative effects of online gambling. Betting on casino games, poker or sports is supposed to be fun. However, some gamblers bet as a way to make money.
When this happens, players can easily fall into bad habits. Others spend money that they don’t have because they take gambling activities too seriously.
Responsible gaming advocates gambling for entertainment, where players are aware of the risks involved and know how to control their activities. Licensed operators are required to have RG policies to help gamblers make informed decisions. Over the years, gambling jurisdictions have been adjusting RG requirements to ensure that consumers receive the necessary protection. Whether you are a gambler or looking to launch a gambling platform, you must learn the intimacies of responsible gambling.
Principle Areas of Responsible Gaming
Online casinos, bookmakers, poker sites, game manufacturers and other stakeholders have to meet particular requirements in specific responsible gambling areas. These are:
Prevention of underage gambling
A critical aspect of RG is ensuring that individuals who are not of legal age don’t access gambling products or services. This age can be 18 or 21, depending on the region. Gambling operators institute various procedures to verify user age before providing their services. It’s why casinos and other sites have strict verification processes.
Protection against Cybercrimes
Reputable gambling websites must make sure that users are safe when playing. Platforms also have SSL encryption to safeguard all the information that goes in and out. Check out Casino.Guide for an example of how a regulated operator protects its customers.
Protection of Vulnerable Individuals
The principal role of responsible gambling policies is to protect vulnerable players. Some gamblers are more susceptible to gambling-related harms. A player with limited disposable income might end up spending money meant for essentials or take out loans to wager on casino games. RG requires operators to provide solutions to help such customers.
Regulatory bodies have various provisions for the protection of vulnerable gamblers. A reality check feature is an example of a tool designed for this purpose. The functionality allows operators to display the time elapsed during gambling sessions. Therefore, players can tell if they have been online for too long.
Safe Online Payments
Gambling websites must make certain that customers can deposit and withdraw funds safely. Online payment methods come with various risks like identity theft. So, operators should provide secure platforms that protect players. PCI compliance is one way that operators protect financial data. Individual companies might impose specific rules to ensure that sensitive information stays safe regardless of the payment methods used.
Information Policy
Players surrender all kinds of details to casinos like addresses, phone numbers and credit card information. Hence, it makes sense that they get worried about what happens to that data. Does an operator share personal details with affiliates? Who has access? Who is liable in case of a data breach? An information policy covers such concerns and more. It’s why gamblers are advised to read a casino’s privacy policy before using it.
Responsible Marketing
Responsible gaming champions fair marketing. If gamblers are going to use a particular site, then they should know what they are getting from the get-go. Operators must refrain from selling through incorrect or inadequate facts. Licensing agencies establish advertising codes of conduct to make sure that gambling companies’ market ethically and responsibly. For example, all jurisdictions have laws against marketing gambling products or services to minors.
Secure Gaming Environments
Although operators might not be able to weed out all the bad elements on their websites, they should do everything to offer a safe setting for players. Therefore, gambling sites have mechanisms that secure the online environment for the well-being of players.
Responsible Gaming Tools
Gambling companies must do all they can to implement RG principles. They have a legal and moral obligation to offer players the necessary tools to guarantee a fair and safe gambling experience. Self-assessment is one. This tool lets players determine if they have problems. It includes the signs of problem gambling, thus, allowing a player to check where he or she lies.
Self-exclusion requires gamblers to stop wagering for a certain period, usually a minimum of six months. A self-excluded customer can’t log into a gambling platform for the indicated period. The length of the self-exclusion depends on the severity of the problem. Some websites permit permanent self-exclusion, meaning that a player can never play at that casino ever again. GAMSTOP facilitates self-exclusion across all major sites.
If a player only requires a short break, then there is the option of a time-out. The tool blocks a customer’s account for a certain duration, ranging from a few days to weeks. In that period, the account is inaccessible.
Deposit limits set the amount that a gambler can spend in a particular period. For example, a custom can establish a limit of $100 monthly. Operators also let customers set limits on losses. It means that a player receives an alert after losing a specific amount.
Recently, iGaming stakeholders have developed behavioural tracking systems that identify habits to help profile gamblers. Using these tools, operators can detect problematic activities and take the necessary precautions. Some gambling companies train their customer support teams to spot problem behaviour. Representatives can then flag certain players as high-risk or take harsher measures like overriding limits.
Finally, responsible gaming requires operators to guide players on how to get help if they suspect problem gambling. Regulated websites partner with various leading institutions to provide professional assistance to affected gamblers. GamCare, Gambling Therapy and Gamblers Anonymous are some of the most popular.
Although some stakeholders have raised concerns that RG tools can distract recreational gamblers, research says otherwise. Responsible gaming tools can be effective in reducing gambling-related harms when used correctly. Players must also do their bit to prevent gambling-related harms. They should understand that gambling is supposed to be fun and should stop when it’s no longer enjoyable. The iGaming industry still has a lot to do to deal with problem gambling. Meanwhile, responsible gaming policies play a critical role.
