Responsible Gaming
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Responsible Gambling, also known as Safer Gambling, is a set of
social responsibility Social responsibility is an ethical concept in which a person works and cooperates with other people and organizations for the benefit of the community. An organization can demonstrate social responsibility in several ways, for instance, by do ...
initiatives held by the
gambling Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of Value (economics), value ("the stakes") on a Event (probability theory), random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy (ga ...
industry – including government regulators, operators, and vendors – to ensure the integrity of their operations and to promote awareness of the harms associated with
gambling Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of Value (economics), value ("the stakes") on a Event (probability theory), random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy (ga ...
, such as
gambling addiction Problem gambling, ludopathy, or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to DSM-5 if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological ga ...
.


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 The term "self-exclusion" or "voluntary exclusion" usually refers to a policy enacted by some governments and/or individual casinos as a way of addressing the issue of problem gambling. In areas that have enacted self-exclusion policies, an individ ...
schemes. In the United Kingdom, several major banks have also offered customers the option to block gambling-related transactions on their credit cards.
NatWest National Westminster Bank, trading as NatWest, is a major Retail banking, retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom based in London, England. It was established in 1968 by the Corporate merger, merger of National Provincial Bank and We ...
introduced a pilot in October 2019 to allow GamCare appointments to be scheduled at selected branches. 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. 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. 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 - request your bank to block your access to internet transactions Additional tools and features that promote responsible gambling: * Cooling-Off Period: Players can take a short break from gambling, during which they cannot access their accounts or engage in any gambling activity. * Activity Statements: Regular statements provide players with a clear overview of their gambling expenditure, wins, and losses. * Gameplay Reminders: In-game reminders encourage responsible gambling before starting a new session. * Anonymous Play: Players have the option to gamble anonymously, ensuring privacy and discretion. * Social Interaction Monitoring: Operators analyze social interactions to identify potential signs of excessive gambling and provide support. * Gambling Education and Information: Platforms offer resources and educational materials on responsible gambling. * Availability of Support Staff: Trained support staff are available 24/7 to assist with responsible gambling concerns. * Partnerships with Responsible Gambling Organizations: Collaborations with organizations promote responsible gambling and develop innovative tools and strategies.


Underage gambling

The industry has also partaken in commitments to prevent
young people Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood (Maturity (psychological), maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as bei ...
from gambling. 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 The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1984 by the United States Congress. In September 2013, the United States House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Pre ...
. In 2017, the organization announced a
code of conduct A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the social norm, norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party or an organization. Companies' codes of conduct A company code of conduct is a set of rules which is comm ...
for its members, which included specific training requirements for employees to deal with underage gaming.


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.


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 Business continuity may be defined as "the capability of an organization to continue the delivery of products or services at pre-defined acceptable levels following a disruptive incident", and business continuity planning (or business continuity ...
procedures to ensure that operations can continue in the event of unforeseen circumstances or disasters.


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 The European Committee for Standardization (CEN, ) is a public standards organization whose mission is to foster the economy of the European Single Market and the wider European continent in global trading, the welfare of European citizens an ...
developed 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.


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 The European Parliament (EP) is one of the two legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it ...
in October 2010. Responsible gaming events promote safe, balanced, and mindful gaming practices. These events often feature discussions on preventing gaming addiction, promoting mental health, and encouraging moderation. Organized by gaming companies, nonprofits, and governments, they aim to raise awareness about responsible gaming and support positive gaming habits, especially among youth and vulnerable populations.


References

{{Reflist Gambling and society Online gambling