The question of how to gamble responsibly has always been of concern to casino gamers. It's easy to get carried away by the bright lights and captivating opportunities that casino gambling presents. Today the issue is even more pressing as online options give you 24/7 access to casino entertainment that you can enjoy at any time and from any location on your PC or mobile device.
Reliable casino platforms are beginning to introduce a new itinerary of tools that will give players more tools than ever to ensure responsible online casino real money gambling practices.
Find out what's coming in the world of responsible online gambling.
Industry
Government officials, licensing and regulatory authorities and trustworthy online platforms are concerned with several issues when it comes to casino operators' responsibilities to gamers' gambling practices. These entities are working to make gambling a safe and entertaining activity and minimize the potential for harm.
Operators are rolling out new and effective tools and information that will empowers player to control their own gambling behavior. Some of the tools to watch for include:
- Self-exclusion/Cooling Off Programs – Programs that allow players to voluntarily ban themselves from a specific gambling site for a set period. The casino accepts responsibility for enforcing this self-imposed ban. Periods can range from 24 hours to a week, a month, a year or forever.
- Deposit, Loss and Wager limits – Operators are expected to provide options for players to set limits on the amount of money they can deposit, lose, or wager over a specific period of time (daily, weekly, or monthly). These limits are then enforced by the casino's system.
- Session and Time Limits – Players should be able to set a time limit for their gambling sessions. The casino should provide "reality checks" or pop-up reminders that alert the player to how long they have been playing and how much they have won or lost.
- At Risk Players – Casino platforms are expected to identify and intervene with at-risk players through technology that can monitor player behavior for signs of problem gambling.
- Information and Education – By ensuring that rules of all promotions, bonuses, and games are clearly and transparently stated, the casino can keep their players fully educated about all terms and conditions regarding casino gambling.
- Underage Gambling – Casinos must take steps to prevent underage gambling. Underage individuals cannot be allowed to open accounts or play any of the casino games for real money.
21st Century Tools for Responsible Gambling
How is the 21st century online casino meeting these goals? There are a number of new algorithms and other types of tools that today's online casino can use to meet these objectives. They include:
- Self-Exclusion Programs – In the near future, all online casinos will have self-exclusion programs whereby the player can choose from several exclusion periods. These can range from a short "cooling off" period to a longer time frame. The player will be asked to formally agree to the terms of the self-exclusion and then casino will be able to put an automated exclusion for that player into action. The action will include options such as account suspension/closure, removal from marketing lists and an alert to evasion-detection technology. When the player feels him/herself ready to return to play s/he will be asked to make a formal request to have his/her account reinstated. Note: Grande Vegas is ahead of the times, and already has this.
- Deposit, Loss and Wager limits – Operators are starting to incorporate software that gives players the chance to set limits on the amount of money they can deposit, lose, or wager over a specific period of time (daily, weekly, or monthly). These limits will then be enforced by the casino's system. Note: Grande Vegas is, once again, ahead of the times, and already has this.
- Session and Time Limits – Another upcoming safeguard involves software that enables players to set a time limit for their gambling sessions. The casino will them be able to send pop-up reminders that alert the player to how long they have been playing and how much they have won or lost. Note: Once again, Grande Vegas is ahead of the times, and already has this.
- At Risk Players – Casino platforms are working to identify and intervene with at-risk players so that they can send them advisory emails when indicated about how to use the casino's self-exclusion programs and where to turn to for more information about gambling dangers. Note: GV already does this.
- Information and Education – The casino's Terms and Conditions ensures that players are aware of all of the policies regarding games, bonus promotions, withdrawals, etc. Check!
- Underage Gambling – casinos have begun to rely on the KYP (Know Your Player) identification software that allows them to ensure that all players are of legal age to gamble. Again....check!
As the world of online gambling evolves, the concept of responsible gambling is more important than ever. Whereas once, online casino platforms stepped back from accountability regarding their players' gambling habits, today they are focusing on accepting a central role in ensuring that their customers adhere to responsible gaming habits.
As the technology advances, online casinos are able to offer more powerful and expansive tools so that their customers have the means to control their real money gambling pastime. In addition, the industry is starting to leverage behavioral analytics to proactively identify at-risk players so that they can prevent harm before it occurs.
In the end, the partnership between operator and player is key. While the casino can provide the framework and resources, the success of the program will rest on a shared commitment to making gambling a safe and entertaining form of recreation.
