Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) decided to team up with the University of Amsterdam (UvA) to launch a new 4-year research. The project’s entitled “A Safe Bet: design and evaluation of a player-tailored online responsible gambling promotion framework”.<h2>Research Objectives</h2>The team of researchers set themselves the main task of expanding the existing set of responsible gambling tools provided by legal iGaming platforms.Two major European gambling operators have also agreed to join the study as partners: Holland Casino Online (NL) and Playtech PLC (UK). It is assumed that scientists will be developing new tools with the ability to test them on the actual players of these two platforms.<h2>The Financial Aspect</h2>Negotiations between the universities and the gambling operators involved in the research have been lasting for over a year. As a result, the parties managed to reach an agreement securing the research freedom, scientific integrity, and privacy.EUR and UvA have also managed to get an additional grant from the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG). In addition, under the terms of this agreement, the ICRG will have no influence on the progress of the study.<h2>The Gambling Operators Are Highly Motivated</h2>The Holland Casino’s Chief Compliance Officer, Malinda Miener, believes that this research is essential for the gambling platforms’ future work. She is sure that the operators simply do not have any future if they fail to provide their customers with safe gambling experience.<h2>Gamble Responsibly</h2>At Responsible Gambling, we also believe that gambling can it should be nothing but a fun and safe pastime. To keep it that way, it is necessary to always approach this hobby responsibly. Always set your financial and time limits and never exceed them, stick with the legal platforms, and feel free to use other responsible gambling tools they provide.Source:&nbsp;https://www.myscience.org. Article: New research project on Responsible Gambling launches at EUR, 2022.

Read and learn about two Dutch universities teaming up with gambling operators for a new 4-year responsible gambling research.

EUR Starts A New 4-Year Responsible Gambling Research

Last week, Bonnie Lysyk, Ontario’s Auditor General, released her annual report overviewing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) work. In this document, she states that online gambling inside the province is currently booming after its full legal launch back in April. However, OLG still needs to strengthen its effort in the area of responsible gambling.<h2>Incredible Growth In The Number Of Players</h2>According to the report, as of the end of 2022, the OLG’s customer base includes about 257,000 average monthly bettors. For comparison, in 2016-2017 this indicator was at the level of 31,000. It is safe to say that the launch of Ontario’s legal iGaming market turned out to be successful.<h2>Responsible Gambling Gaps</h2>There are numerous <a href="https://spa.rg.plat.agency/saferplay/responsible-gambling-tools" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">responsible gambling tools</a> available to the platform users, such as financial, loss and time limits, <a href="https://spa.rg.plat.agency/saferplay/what-is-self-exclusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">self-exclusion</a> etc. However, as a percentage, the number of users of these tools has decreased compared to five years ago. For example, the casino loss limits active users’ ratio has dropped from 33% in 2017 to 11% in 2022.At the same time, the potential problem gamblers’ ratio has increased from 11% in 2019/20 to 13,4% in 2022.From these figures, it follows that new bettors are much less likely to use the responsible gambling tools due to unwillingness or lack of awareness.<h2>Financial Matter</h2>Ms. Lysyk also discovered that the OLG started saving on financing its responsible gambling program. Specifically, the corporation’s budget for the safer play program has decreased from CA$20 million in 2016/17 to CA$7 million in 2021/22.In her report, the auditor insists that OLG should improve its cooperation with the local iGaming market in terms of the players’ protection.<h2>Gamble Responsibly</h2>At Responsible Gambling, we believe that the best way to keep your gambling fun is to approach this hobby responsibly. Do not ignore the responsible gambling tools, set your financial and time limits and never exceed them, take self-assessment tests every once in a while, and stay out of trouble.Source: https://www.canadiancasinos.ca. Article: ONTARIO BETTORS RARELY USE OLG’S PROTECTION TOOLS, FINDS AG, 2022.

Read and learn about the Ontario's Auditor General annual report about the OLG's work in the region.

Auditor Reported Responsible Gambling Gaps In OLG's work

BetMGM, one of North America’s leading betting operators, granted $180,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to support the organization’s study on the ads’ impact on the bettors running to problem gambling behavior. The ICRG announced this in an official statement released on November 22.The ICRG President, Arthur Paikowsky, expressed happiness with this “historic contribution” from the bookmaker. He is sure that the research will help the ICRG identify potential risks in advance and provide more tools so that the gamblers’ experience remains fun and safe. He also believes it will help the authorities to adapt the legal norms in the future.The ICRG Senior Manager, Richard Taylor, thinks that this research is an important investment in the industry’s future. He believes that it will become some sort of a guide for all key players in the market on how to lure potential clients without putting them into problem gambling behavior.<h2>What Is The ICRG?</h2>The ICRG is an american-based non-profit organization which regularly conducts studies about gambling addiction. Founded back in 1996, the ICRG is currently a part of the American Gaming Association. The organization considers its mission to help people with gambling issues.<h2>Authorities vs The Ads</h2>Malicious gambling advertising has become an acute problem recently, and regulators around the world are struggling with it. For example, the Australian government has recently implemented a reform that is precisely aimed at this problem. From now on, all legal platforms operating in the country must inform their clients about potential gambling harm in the ads.<h2>Gamble Responsibly</h2>At Responsible Gambling, we believe in the idea that gambling can be a great hobby. To keep it true, you have to always approach the game responsibly. Set your financial and time limits and never exceed them, use the responsible gambling tools provided by legal operators, and never try to make a living from gambling.Source: https://www.prnewswire.com. Article: BETMGM SUPPORTS NEW RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON THE IMPACT OF ADVERTISING ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, 2022.

Read and learn about one of North America's leading betting operators contributing to studies about problem gambling.

BetMGM Grants $180,000 For A Problem Gambling Research

The Australian government has submitted a list of mandatory messages that gambling operators will be required to use in their advertising campaigns. This measure is directly aimed at warning bettors about the potential harm of gambling.<h2>The Big Reform</h2>Australian government, as well as the state and territory governments, designed these mandatory gambling harm alerts in collaboration. This project is a part of an updated National Consumer Protection Framework.All legal gambling platforms operating in the country will have to include special warnings about potential gambling harm in their ads. The authorities have designed 7 taglines:<ul><li>“Chances are, you’re about to lose”;</li><li>“Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?”;</li><li>“What’s gambling really costing you?”;</li><li>“What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit”;</li><li>“Imagine what you could be buying instead”;</li><li>“You win some. You lose more”;</li><li>“What are you really gambling with?”.</li></ul><h2>Other requirements</h2>All gambling operators must use at least one of these taglines in all forms of their advertisements. Five taglines are available for use on TV, video and radio, while digital, website, in-app and social media ads have six available taglines. Bookies can not use the last tagline (“You win some. You lose more”) in a written form.Moreover, operators will also have to make a special call to action right after using a tagline: “For free and confidential support call 1 800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au”.<h2>The Deadline Is Set</h2>The authorities were designing these measures from August to October, 2022. The government established a transition period from October 31, 2022 to March 30, 2023 right after approving the reform. All operators will have to apply innovations during the prescribed period in order to avoid sanctions up to license deprivation.Source: https://igamingbusiness.com. Article: Australia mandates new safer gambling messaging, 2022.&nbsp;

Learn about a reform designed by the Australian government. It obliges the operators to warn bettors about gambling harm in the ads.

Australia Mandates Gambling Harm Alerts In The Ads

There was a real scandal in the gambling community of Australia this week. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) issued a resolution announcing a monetary penalty for Crown Melbourne casino for violation of its Responsible Gambling policy. The operator will now be obliged to pay a record-breaking $AU120 million fine.<h2>What Is The Operator Accused Of?</h2>According to the VGCCC’s statement, this fine covers two serious violations. Crown was found guilty of breaching its own Responsible Gambling standards. For many years the operator was ignoring the need to prevent the bettors’ problem gambling behaviour. Problem customers could gamble without breaks for long periods of time (sometimes more than 24 hours). Sonja Bauer, Crown Melbourne’s general manager for responsible gambling, provided evidence that one of the bettors was once gambling for 34 hours straight.Moreover, the operator also violated the safety protocols established by the regulator. Crown failed to prevent their customers from using lock picks to gamble on certain electronic gaming machines for free.The VGCCC Chairman Fran Thorn reminded that Crown accepted the responsible gambling standards as both a legal obligation and a mandatory requirement of its social license to operate. He also said that this fine is a strong message that the Commission will not tolerate such misconduct.<h2>The Recidivists</h2>This is not the first time Crown faces such sanctions. The casino was already hit with a AU$80 million punishment after getting caught accepting illegal China Union Pay cards for transactions.<h2>The Deadline Is Set</h2>The VGCCC has appointed a supervisor who is currently managing Crown Melbourne’s operations. 12 additional staff members were also hired to monitor compliance with security and responsible gambling protocols. The manager will submit a final report to the VGCCC in early 2024 to assist the regulator in determining whether Crown has returned to suitability as a license holder. If Crown fails to comply with the regulatory authority's order, it will be subject to even tougher sanctions.<h2>The Laws Are Working All Over The World</h2>Gambling operators around the world are constantly faced with a huge number of different requirements, for non-compliance with which they can be fined or even deprived of their license. It's not always just about security protocols. For example, in Ontario, Canada, bookmakers are often punished for too aggressive advertising campaigns, including inappropriate social media activity, promoting free bets, provoking outdoor ads etc.<h2>Gamble Responsibly</h2>At Responsible Gambling, we strongly believe that gambling can and should be a great hobby. But in order for your gaming experience to remain safe, you must always approach the game responsibly. Carefully study the rules, set financial and time limits and never exceed them, and always stick with the licensed operators. This is extremely important since these platforms provide all the necessary tools for a safe game.

Read and find out why Crown Melbourne was fined by the VGCCC for a record AU$120 million fine and what will happen to the operator now.

Crown Melbourne To Pay A Record-Breaking AU$120 Fine

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Erasmus University Rotterdam Launches A New Responsible Gambling Research

Auditor: OLG Needs To Improve Its Responsible Gambling Program

BetMGM Partners With The ICRG For A Problem Gambling Research

Australia Orders The Operators To Warn Bettors About The Harm Of Gambling In The Ads

Crown Melbourne To Pay Record-Breaking AU$120 Million For Multiple Violations