Gambling has been a part of our culture for millennia, and during that time, bettors have always been aware that the practice is exciting, fun, and lucrative, but also risky and can lead to debt if not done responsibly.
Now that online gambling is common and allowed in almost every part of the world, companies that provide this service have an obligation to do so responsibly and in a healthy manner. There are established practices that industry leaders follow in this area.
Since there’s a growing base of users and the public attitude towards gambling has changed, governments have gotten involved and introduced responsible gambling measures, which are legal requirements.
These measures will expand in the years to come, as a battle rages between emerging gambling technologies and regulatory agencies seeking to control them.
In this article, we’ll go over these practices and requirements to lay out the landscape of responsible gambling efforts.
These are the standards right now, but they will soon evolve, as the industry is very competitive and all gambling providers are rushing to improve their offers.
The Concept and Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling addiction could be harmful and cause serious financial and personal consequences.
Responsible gambling practices were developed as a response to that fact and as a set of measures provided by the casino to prevent addiction. Over the years, the tools have developed and expanded.
The players have a stake in these measures as they are made to protect them. Responsible gambling aims to promote self-awareness, control, and balance.
For operators, the practices are a legal and moral obligation, since they need to provide a safe and transparent service.
For governments, gambling addiction is a public health issue, and that’s how they treat it.
Depending on the country, problem gambling hovers anywhere from 0.5 to 3 percent of all players.
That doesn’t seem like such a large number, but it can have a hugely negative impact on society as a whole. The effects also spill over to family, friends, and the workplace.
Therefore, responsible gambling isn’t just a buzzword or another trend in terms of regulation.
It’s an important practice made to help those who need help the most and to keep the casinos and gambling providers honest. This is a view shared by most governments and most providers.
Core Principles of Responsible Gambling
There are a few core principles that define responsible gambling. These are:
Informed Choice
Every choice a player makes – when to bet, how much to bet, how much to withdraw, how much they are willing to lose, and when to stop playing should be an informed one.
The casino needs to clearly provide players with odds and chances, as well as the consequences of pausing or limiting play.
Player Control
Responsible gambling practice gives the player full control. The decision to limit deposits, withdrawals, or time spent playing should be left to the player.
This empowers individuals to make their own decisions, but it can cut both ways when it comes to risky gambling practices.
Fair Play
Games must be free from manipulations, outside influence, and they shouldn’t favor one player over the other.
Casinos undergo independent audits to ensure this is the case, and the best ones are public about their audit results.
For instance, this BC Game Casino review addresses return-to-player rates and the real chances of winning, as confirmed by an independent authority.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Minors and at-risk groups need to be protected most of all. Minors simply shouldn’t be allowed to gamble, and casinos need to have mechanisms in place to prevent them.
This is the case even for casinos that don’t require users to provide personal information. Vulnerable groups, most importantly, include players who struggle with addiction.
Players should be aware that they should gamble for fun only and that it’s wrong to chase losses.
Transparency and Accountability
Operators should maintain an open communication channel regarding their policies and report changes to both players and regulatory bodies.
When communicating with users and players, avoid technical jargon and be straightforward about their chances.
Best Practices for Gambling Operators
There are a few practices that are the responsibility of the gambling operators. Some of these are the result of regulations, and others are just companies setting a standard.
Player Education and Information
Operators should provide players with information on how games work, the odds of winning, the house edge, and how to spot problem gambling.
This could be done within the games themselves by displaying RTP rates or within separate channels.
Self-Exclusion and Cooling-off Periods
Platforms should allow players to cool off after they’ve been playing for a while, and in recent years, some have introduced mandatory cooling-off periods for players who have been at it too long or have lost too much.
There should also be a self-exclusion option that players can use at any time, but can’t reverse once they’ve done so.
AI and data analysis for Risk Prevention
AI has quickly found a role in responsible gambling practices. It’s used to track player activity and to notice when they engage in harmful gambling practices.
For instance, making frequent deposits, chasing losses, and making risky bets indicate it’s time to offer a player a cooling-off period or a chance to lower their deposits.
Deposit, Loss, and Time Limits
Players should be given the ability to choose how much they want to deposit and how much they are willing to lose.
Once the players set these, they shouldn’t be able to increase the limits, at least not for a set period of time.
Some operators set notifications that indicate when limits are met, while most simply prohibit exceeding them.
Partnership with Support Organizations
Many organizations provide support to those dealing with gambling addictions, and game providers often work in partnership with them.
Casinos refer players to such organizations and often fund their operations to both prevent and treat addiction.
Legal Frameworks and Regulatory Requirements
Responsible gambling practices are also mandated and required by regulatory agencies governing gambling. The details vary greatly based on the region and the jurisdiction:
Europe
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is considered to be one of the strictest in the world.
Operators are obligated to verify players’ identities using ID documents, use GAMSTOP to enforce self-exclusion, and warn players if they are at risk. Non-compliance comes with huge penalties.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is the one that many European casinos use as an offshore base for their online gambling businesses.
It’s less strict, but it still requires providers to keep RTP rates transparent and to provide assistance to players.
North America
In the US, regulations are handled by states and vary widely depending on the state where the provider is based.
States like New Jersey and Nevada have implemented comprehensive responsible gambling programs. These include most of the rules already in place in the UK.
In Canada, the provinces regulate this matter. Ontario is considered the best and most comprehensive.
It focuses on harm reduction and collaborates with mental health providers. There are also annual audits to make sure operators are following the rules.
Asia Pacific
Australia has introduced the National Consumer Protection Framework. It provides a comprehensive set of gambling regulations.
This includes real-time activity tracing across states and provides standardized rules and tools for self-exclusion and deposit limits.
Macau and the Philippines are famous for being offshore zones that provide a liberal environment for setting up a gambling business.
However, they have recently adopted responsible gambling practices to accommodate their users’ needs. The focus is mostly on casino training and awareness campaigns.
Global Trends
Online gambling is truly global, and players are able to use gambling sites from almost anywhere in the world. Many believe that this is also a reason to establish international authorities on responsible gambling practices.
Organizations such as the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and ISO initiatives are already in place and are pushing for global standards.
The takeaway is clear: responsible gambling isn’t just a trend, but a cornerstone of legal operations.
The Player’s Responsibility
Operators and governments have their duties, but players also need to take on some responsibility when it comes to responsible gaming.
These start with being aware of the fact that gambling can be risky and being ready to acknowledge that you may need help to reduce harmful behavior.
- Set up a budget. Decide on how much you’re willing to spend on gambling and stick to it no matter what. Once you reach the amount, stop playing. If necessary, use the casino deposit limit to stick to this amount.
- Track your time. Use an in-app service or your own alarm to keep track of how much you’ve been playing. Take regular breaks and don’t spend excessive time betting, since it can cloud your judgment.
- Never chase your losses. Doubling down on bets and trying to win back what you’ve already lost is probably the worst way to gamble, and it can only lead to more losses.
- Have a separate gambling fund. Gambling should be done for fun, not to earn. Keep your household funds and the money used for personal expenses separate from the gambling fund. This can be done using the tools provided by the gambling app.
- Use self-exclusion tools. These tools are made to help the players stop playing altogether. Some players may feel that this option is overkill and that using it shows they are unable to control their betting spending. Don’t hesitate to use them; they were created for a reason, and they work.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite progress in this area, casinos still face challenges. Most of these are about the difference between the legal requirements and ethical considerations.
Casinos are required to follow responsible gambling rules, but they also need to generate profit, as any other business does.
The two can be at odds, especially when it comes to marketing. For instance, market efforts should aim to keep players constantly engaged in the games, while responsible gambling requires cooling-off periods.
Data analytics used to track players’ activity can be used to stop harmful behavior, but it can also be stored and used for market purposes. Privacy will become one of the most important ethical issues in the years to come.
With so many jurisdictions regulating online gambling, there are also loopholes players can exploit, and there’s a growing debate over the need for international agencies and regulation.
This, however, remains difficult as it clashes with notions of national legislation and sovereignty.
Finally, there’s a cultural issue, as in some regions, gambling carries a social stigma, and the best way to address gambling problems is to be honest and open about them.
Conclusion
Casinos are obligated to provide players with the tools needed to gamble responsibly. This starts with educating the players and being transparent and open about their chances.
Tools should also allow the players to take note of their risky behavior and block themselves from betting more if needed.
Some of these practices are matters of convention, and others are regulated. As more players and more countries allow gambling, there will be a growing need for stricter regulations, and this is the area that needs the most oversight.
The use of AI also changes the landscape, as it can provide new insights into player behavior and warn of risky behavior.