With the move, New Jersey follows several other states, such as Colorado, Louisiana, and Michigan, that have banned similar partnerships.

The new law comes into effect immediately.

Law Aims to Protect Students

The new ban applies to all public higher-education institutions in New Jersey. This includes community colleges, state universities (such as Rutgers), and their athletic and booster organizations.

It took over a year for A4113 to pass after its introduction in April 2024. It defines “sports wagering partnership” as any agreement (directly or through intermediaries) that gives sportsbooks access to advertising in colleges. Such examples include stadiums, digital or broadcast content, and any other channels owned by public universities.

An amendment from September 2024 does allow partnerships solely for academic or experiential learning purposes. Student internships, or partnerships facilitating coursework and research, are permitted.

Senator Joe Cryan, who sponsored the Senate companion bill, S2155, highlighted that the surge in gambling ads and partnerships, particularly those targeting colleges, has contributed to an increase in gambling among students.

Cryan, the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, added that the new law will protect students:

“Young people are especially vulnerable to compulsive gambling and can have a difficult time breaking the habit once it becomes ingrained. This will help protect them from the negative influences of advertisements that promote the practice. Our college campuses should be places for learning, not underage gambling.”

Senator McKeon echoed that sentiment. He stressed that college campuses “should be sanctuaries for learning… not inundated with messages that entice them into gambling habits that can put them into debt.”

NJ Aims to Ban College Player Prop Bets as Well

Prohibiting sportsbook partnerships is one part of a larger effort led by New Jersey lawmakers to safeguard young people from the influence of betting.

Another measure under consideration is banning all prop bets on college sports. Last month, the proposal, introduced by Sen. Kristin M. Corrado in April, passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote in the Senate’s State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.

The bill, S3080, would prohibit all sportsbooks in New Jersey from accepting wagers on prop bets involving any “collegiate sport or athletic event.” If passed, New Jersey would join states like New York and Massachusetts that have banned such bets.

Lawmakers Target Gambling Advertising

Alongside these efforts, legislators are taking a broader approach to regulating and tightening gambling advertising.

One proposal, co-sponsored by Assembly members Calabrese and Hall and Senators McKeon and Burgess, targets ads placed in or near schools and colleges. It also prohibits marketing that predominantly appeals to individuals under the age of 21.

The bills also require the Division of Gaming Enforcement to conduct a 12-month study analyzing how advertising language and presentation influence bettor behavior, especially among young people.

Meanwhile, Sen. Cryan has introduced or supported multiple bills aimed at responsible gambling. One such proposal, S2156, seeks to regulate online gambling advertising more strictly.

It would require the Division of Gaming Enforcement to ensure ads are not deceptive or fraudulent. The regulator would also ensure that they do not target individuals who are underage or are self-excluded. However, the bill has not made any progress since its introduction.

Other efforts by Cryan include a 2023 companion bill to an Assembly proposal that would’ve required colleges engaged in sports wagering partnerships to establish a gambling education program.

The post New Jersey Sportsbooks Can No Longer Partner with Colleges and Universities appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Unlike many countries where gambling is regulated at a national level, gambling regulation in the United States is governed by individual states and varies from state to state. That creates loopholes, such as inconsistent advertising standards and protections for individuals with a potential risk of problem gambling.

According to Maynard, the unregulated expansion raises significant concerns about potential harms to vulnerable individuals and the general public.

In an interview with The Guardian, he points out that topics such as national advertising regulations and self-exclusion programs are “ripe for a federal conversation.”

Prioritizing Public Health and Safety Above Industry Profits

Reflecting on the US online gambling industry, Maynard told the Guardian:

“When I think about the industry right now, I see a highway without speed limits, cars without seatbelt dingers,”

“Regulators are who put the seatbelt dingers in. I don’t think the car manufacturers just woke up one day and decided to annoy whoever’s driving the car until they put their seatbelt on.”

That’s where Maynard says, regulators come in. Gambling regulators, such as the MGC, have two primary goals: to protect the legal market from illegal threats and to safeguard the general public. The MGC chair says his primary focus is on the latter:

“A lot of people try to figure me out as a regulator. It’s really, really simple,”

“I’m not thinking about big business … I’m thinking about: how does this affect the patrons and the citizens of Massachusetts?”

Maynard joined the MGC in 2022. In spring 2024, he became the interim chair, and in the fall, he took on the permanent position. However, his regulatory approach has not always been welcomed by operators.

For instance, last year, he called a roundtable for discussions with the 10 sports betting operators in the state. However, none of them showed up, as they didn’t want to hold public talks.

Advertising Regulations: Does Maynard Have a Point?

Advertising rules vary vastly across states with regulated online gambling, highlighting the regulatory picture Maynard criticizes.

Some states have strict controls. For example, New York requires gambling ads to have compulsive play assistance messaging. Also, the state bans ads that could target children and minors or portray gambling as a means of financial success.

Tennessee, meanwhile, requires operators to submit all marketing material to the state’s regulator before publication. The state also prohibits celebrity endorsements, a provision that is lacking in many states, such as Florida and Pennsylvania.

In contrast, Indiana has fewer restrictions. It allows the use of celebrity athletes and promotions that highlight winning potential, which could entice players with potential gambling risks.

One lawmaker who shares Maynard’s views on national advertising standards is New York Representative Paul Tonko. Earlier this year, Tonko initiated his third attempt to pass the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act.

Tonko’s SAFE Bet Act would regulate gambling advertising at the federal level and restrict particular language. The proposed legislation would also specify when and where gambling operators are permitted to advertise.

Disparities in the Availability of Responsible Gambling Tools

While there are nationwide responsible gambling tools, such as the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline, operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling, the availability and effectiveness of responsible gambling tools vary widely across states.

New Jersey, one of the most mature gambling markets in the US, has taken a proactive approach. The Garden State has a self-exclusion program, which covers all operators. The state also mandates deposit limits and provides access to player activity data in real-time. It also requires operators to monitor potential red flags and report them to the relevant state authorities.

In Connecticut, operators must implement “cool-off” periods and display clear and accessible data on available problem gambling tools and resources.

In contrast, Arkansas does not have mandatory self-exclusion programs. The state also has lenient requirements on operator transparency on player losses or activity.

Education and training requirements also vary. For example, Pennsylvania requires employees in the gambling industry to attend annual responsible gambling training. Many other states, such as Illinois and West Virginia, either only recommend such training or lack a mandate entirely.

The post Massachusetts Regulator Warns of “Highway Without Speed Limits” in Growing US Gambling Market appeared first on CasinoBeats.

ROGA, an independent organization, claims it represents 90% of the legal US sports betting industry by handle. The organization says its recommendation can help players maintain a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience within their limits.

ROGA: 11 Key Recommendations for VIP Programs

Through research, ROGA claims that the most effective VIP programs combine proactive education, personalized engagement, and periodic program evaluation. To achieve these objectives, ROGA has identified 11 recommendations, many of which are already in use by some operators:

• Role-specific training for VIP hosts, tailored to their unique needs.
• Automated review technology can help detect potentially risky behavioral patterns among VIP players.
• Escalation process implementation where operators escalate a case if a VIP member is exhibiting signs of problem gambling. A responsible gaming specialist will evaluate the behavior and take appropriate action.
• Integration of responsible gambling messaging into VIP communications.
• Establishment of a VIP engagement protocol between hosts and players.
• Discouraging VIP hosts from offering incentives and perks to players who have self-excluded, are on a cool-off period, or have suspended their accounts.
• Providing VIP players with access to player data such as activity, wagers, and withdrawals.
• Requiring VIP players to confirm their familiarity with available responsible gaming tools.
• Providing a regular, responsible gaming education to VIP players.
• Conducting annual reviews of the VIP program.
• Operators should continuously stay informed of new responsible gaming tools.

Building on the “Know Your Play” Campaign

ROGA’s introduction of operator VIP program guidelines follows the organization’s recent Know Your Play campaign.

The campaign, which was launched in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), provides college-aged students with detailed information focused on responsible gambling, mental health and well-being, and financial literacy.

Know Your Play components include:

• Accessible digital learning resources on responsible gambling concepts, such as managing impulsiveness and setting limits.
• Financial literacy education on topics such as budgeting, saving, and understanding the risks associated with debt.
• College campus sessions are available for those who prefer in-person engagement.
• Resources addressing mental health and stress.
• Educational content aimed at myth-busting around gambling, such as the illusion of control.
• Exclusive resources for college-aged students, even if they’re not enrolled.

Legislative Pushback: The SAFE Bet Act and VIP Program Bans

While ROGA focuses on education and implementing guidelines for VIP programs, some lawmakers are considering a ban on them.

In March, New York Representative Paul Tonko introduced his Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act for a third straight year.

In his first attempt, Tonko primarily focused on severe bans on sports betting marketing, comparable to those for cigarettes.

While similar initiatives have gained momentum in Europe, where several countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, have banned gambling advertisements, Tonko’s bill did not advance in the first two attempts.

Tonko’s 2025 attempt includes many of the previous provisions. However, it’s more subtle and focuses on gambling addiction. Among its provisions is a ban on reload bonuses and VIP programs.

The lawmaker, together with proponents of his bill, claim that these incentives increase the chances of problem gambling symptoms among users.

Dr. Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy with the Public Health Advocacy Institute, who was part of Tonko’s introductory press conference of the bill, likened VIP programs to drug dealers rewarding their best customers.

The post Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) Releases Guidelines for Operator VIP Programs appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Extreme 7 – Green Jade Games

Green Jade Games has gone back to basics with its latest slot, as Extreme 7 offers casinos three different RTP’s of 93 per cent, 96 per cent and 99.09 per cent.

Stripping away all bonus features, the title aims to deliver a base game that “delivers the thrills and big win potential,” with 100x and 200x wins able to appear.

Promising to deliver its most engaging performance at 99.09 per cent, Extreme 7 has been designed with high value customers and VIPs in mind.

“Our most recent slot that we stripped back – Neon Lights – with no bonus game and all of the RTP in the base game surprised us with its popularity in certain territories – especially in Asia – so we decided to follow this up with one that delivers even more excitement.

“We are also excited to be the first developer to launch a slot that has an RTP of 99.09 If customers wish to reward their VIP’s they now have only one choice- Extreme 7.

“Responsible gambling is at the forefront of everything we do, allied with German Transitional regime and updated UKGC recommendations it was natural that we would supply variable RTP.

“We want gambling to be a choice – a safe choice, we also know for some people it is more about the thrill and with Extreme 7 we believe we’ve hit the jackpot.” – Mark Taffler, Chief Commercial Officer at Green Jade Games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWaM9b-vdNo

Pawprints of Purrsia – Kalamba Games

Kalamba Games invites players into a realm where mystical cats rule in a 5×3, 10 paylines slot that promises to be packed with a plethora of features.

Pawprints of Purrsia, to be distributed via the Oryx Gaming platform, includes the bonus wheel of dreams, spin boost, locking and multiplier wilds and three different free spins bonus variants. Furthermore, Kalamba’s signature feature hyper bonus is also included, which allows players to shortcut to the bonus wheel.

“With Pawprints of Purrsia we offer players a fun and quirky theme but with a game play and feature set that can offer some serious rewards. Pawprints of Purrsia is a fur-midable addition to any serious, or not so serious, operator’s lobby.” – Alex Cohen, COO and co-founder of Kalamba Games.

Phantasmic Fortunes – iSoftBet

Phantasmic Fortunes has been released by iSoftBet, and has become the first to feature the supplier and aggregator’s Xpanding Ways mechanic. This sees more spaces open up on the reels if a diamond appears, increasing the paylines from 243 up to a maximum of 7,776.

As players gather more diamonds, the orb prizes that float above each column come into play. Each orb contains random prizes, which could be cash, magic modifiers or even trigger the bonus feature, which sees prizes significantly increase in value.

These rewards can be triggered by players expanding their reels to full size before landing another diamond symbol below the sought-after orb.

If any orb prizes are triggered, then the base game resets to its original 5×3 format, while also revealing new rewards that players can aim to reach with the expanding reel.

To start the free spins round, three bonus symbols are required to land on any spin, or players must reach a bonus round prize orb in gameplay, where the orbs are boosted in value, with some offering up to 1,000x cash value.

“With its mystical theme and bewitching win potential, Phantasmic Fortunes is the perfect addition to our portfolio in time for Halloween.

“With players aiming to rise from the depths of the reels to claim their wins with our riches-filled orbs and lucrative bonus rounds, Phantasmic Fortunes is set to be another thrilling title for iSoftBet.

“It also marks the debut of another exciting new feature for us, Xpanding Ways, which we will see more of in the future.” – Mark Claxton, head of games at iSoftBet.

Celtic Spirit Deluxe – Stakelogic

Stakelogic has challenged players to get into the spirit of the Celts as the firm introduces Celtic Spirit Deluxe, a release that forms part of the company’s game licensing partnership with Reflex Gaming.

During free spins in the 5×3, 20 winline slot, triggered by the Celtic princess, the mini reel becomes active and includes extra wilds and extra free spins to aid players in achieving winning combinations and wins.

Free spins begins with the centre symbol of the reels transforming into a sticky wild, which is then locked in place for the duration of the round.

Randomly during the feature, the mini reel spins with the potential to award extra wilds and additional spins, further enhancing the potential riches that await.

The most adventurous players can continue their exploits by taking their winnings into the player selectable gamble. All rests on the flip of a card as prizes can be multiplied by up to x4.

“We are very excited to release our latest slot game in conjunction with Reflex Gaming and offer the online players yet another new experience in gaming.

“Boasting an impressive land-base following and having such a renowned pedigree, Celtic Spirit Deluxe is sure to be a hit with our loyal online player-base.

“Following the acquisition of our supply license from the UK Gambling Commission and the recent launch of our first Megaways title, which is under license from Big Time Gaming, Q4 promises to continue the success we’ve seen in 2020, which is testament to the exceptional work our team has produced this year.” – Stephen van den Oetelaar, CEO of Stakelogic.

The post Part 56 | On the spin – Slot launch round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

UK Gambling Commission

John Baillie and Catharine Seddon have been reappointed by Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, as commissioners of the Gambling Commission for one year from April 11, 2021 to April 10, 2022.

Baillie is a chartered accountant and a former partner of KPMG in Scotland and London. He is immediate past chair of the Accounts Commission for Scotland, the Scottish local authority watchdog and served two three-year terms.

Seddon spent 20 years as a film-maker before taking up public non-executive roles. She now sits on the Legal Services Board, where she chairs its audit and risk assurance committee and has recently joined the board of the HFEA. She is a founding member of the Health Service Products Appeal tribunal and is also a trustee for special needs charity, CPotential.

Soft2Bet

Casino and sportsbook platform provider Soft2Bet has appointed Hamza Afifi, the former head of sales for the SiGMA Group, as its PR director.

Afifi will play a key role in the promotion of the firm’s over 30 strong portfolio of operator brands, including recent launches such as the gamified sportsbook Betinia and the cabaret-inspired casino Winota.

Boris Chaikin Soft2Bet CEO, said: “A warm welcome to Hamza Afifi, who we are thrilled to name as our new PR director. Having enjoyed tremendous success at a range of highly regarded companies in our industry and beyond, Hamza will apply his impressive skills and experience to the promotion of our award-winning offering, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

Epic Risk Management

Michael Huber has joined Epic Risk Management as an advisory on US operations, enhancing the company’s responsible gambling activities in the country.

The new advisor’s primary responsibilities will see him discuss his lifelong struggle with problem gambling, beginning in his adolescence and ending in 2012, bolstering the company’s ‘lived experience’ knowledge base.

Since overcoming his gambling addiction, Huber has gone on to establish a mental performance coaching and mentoring business. He will join the team overseeing Epic’s burgeoning US operations during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

“Michael is a very impressive and inspirational mentor and coach,” explained John Millington, vice president of US operations at Epic Risk Management.

“Epic Risk Management is a company that is built on the lived experience of gambling addiction and this underpins everything that we do in the space of harm prevention.

“Our educational programmes and training content use real-life, hard-hitting stories of gambling-harm to educate and raise awareness of the significant risk that problem-gambling creates.

“Michael will leverage his authenticity and own experience of gambling-addiction during his collegiate years and connect it with his subsequent work with high school and college athletes to help convey these vital messages in a powerful and informed way.

“Ultimately, at Epic we want to make as many at-risk groups as possible aware of the potentially destructive financial implications and health issues that out-of-control gambling can cause. To have someone of Michael’s stature, background, and own lived experience bringing this message to life, will only enhance the work that we passionately believe saves lives.”

Gamesys Group

Online gaming operator Gamesys has announced that Tina Southall, chief people officer, will join the group’s board of directors as an executive director with effect.

The company says that the appointment of Southall, who joined the company in March 2014 to establish and lead a new people team, signals further recognition of its “commitment and priority” to all colleagues.

“I am delighted to welcome Tina to the Gamesys board. She has been at the heart of establishing the Gamesys values, our ‘DNA’ and a highly successful new way of working for the company during the current pandemic,” noted Neil Goulden, non-executive chair at Gamesys Group.

“I am confident that Tina will continue to evolve our culture as we face the future, bringing valuable insight and new perspectives to the Board.”

The post Part 60 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Soft2Bet

Peter Christian Noer has been appointed as the regional manager for the Nordic markets at casino and sportsbook platform provider Soft2Bet.

The appointment follows what is praised as “an impressive spell” as the company’s country manager for Sweden, with new responsibilities to include helping Soft2Bet continue to grow its footprint in the key territories of Sweden, Norway and Finland. 

Boris Chaikin, CEO at Soft2Bet, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Christian Noer as our regional manager for the Nordic markets, which remain a key area of focus for us as we maintain the expansion of our international reach.

“Having performed impressively as our country manager for Sweden, we have no doubt that Peter will continue to play a key role in helping us succeed in the Nordic territories and beyond.”

Galaxy Gaming

Galaxy Gaming, the developer and distributor of casino table games and technology, has announced that Paul Omohundro has joined the company in the position of vice president of business development.

In the position, Omohundro will be responsible for expanding the company’s business through exploring new markets and discovering innovative products and services to further provide value to casino clients.

Todd Cravens, Galaxy Gaming president and CEO, noted: “Paul’s addition to our team will focus on new markets and new products. These new markets include land-based casinos as well as igaming, the fastest growing part of our business. We have a number of new product and market opportunities, and Paul will drive these to commercial success.”

MGA Games

MGA Games has announced the addition of four new members to its staff roster, each of which is charged with aiding the company its growth and developmental strategies.

The additions come from the MGA Games Academy, which the online casino developer says “was born to promote and attract talent to the gaming sector and is meeting all expectations”.

Joan Sanahuja, founder and CEO of MGA Games, stated: “We continue to grow in every way. We are expanding into new markets, creating new products, and also recruiting more staff.

“We are proud to think that we have the opportunity to employ, empower and retain talent, undoubtedly a valuable resource and one of the main assets of our company.

Salsa Technology

Josh Tromans-Jones has been recruited by Salsa Technology as chief technology officer, where he will be charged with building on the business’ expansion drive.

Key responsibilities for the company will focus on continuing the development of the proprietary platform, delivering the roadmap and leading the business’ expansion into regulated markets from a technology perspective. Tromans-Jones will be based in Spain.

Peter Nolte, Salsa Technology’s CEO, commented: “Josh is a superb addition to our Salsa team as he brings a wealth of experience of various regulated markets, both inside of Europe and out.

“He will play a vital role in maintaining our position as an industry leader and delivering on our roadmap. It is vital that we continue to have the technology to meet these changing requirements of the industry quickly and efficiently.”

Better Collective

Better Collective has strengthened its team after naming Anders Crillesen as its new head of PR & communications.

In his new role, he will take responsibility for overseeing the company’s global corporate and product communication strategy, with an aim of enhancing Better Collective’s communication initiatives toward responsible gambling.

Crillesen said: “I’m thrilled to join Better Collective and become part of its innovative company culture. Better Collective has been on a fantastic journey since the company was founded in 2004 and is strongly positioned globally following a targeted acquisition and internationalisation strategy.

“I look forward to leveraging my PR and corporate communications experience in an entirely new context, to support Better Collective’s continued growth and build visibility around its responsible gambling initiatives.”

The post Part 56 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Throughout 2019, 722 people reached out to the helpline, which the regulator said shows ‘that there is a great need for a national helpline providing advice and counselling about responsible gambling.’

Head of Division at StopSpillet, Linda Lomborg, added: “Compared to other types of addiction, compulsive gambling is not immediately visible and may be hidden for a long time to the outside world.

“This emphasises the need for a helpline such as StopSpillet, offering confidential conversations about a problem that can be associated with a lot of guilt and shame.”

Since December 2019, StopSpillet has been trialling a live chat function which allows gamblers to reach out to the helpline online. The trial period is due to conclude in March.

“We can see that most of the players who call fall in the categories of problem and compulsive gamblers. In other words, we get through to those who need us and are able to help many of those who have ended up in an unhappy situation because of gambling,” said Director of the Gaming Authority Birgitte Sand.

The post New figures show 722 reached out to StopSpillet during 2019 appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Delivering a keynote address on day two of SBC Digital North America, Lycka began by giving a regulatory breakdown of the US and Canadian market, noting that several more states have already joined the “betting club” in 2021 alone.

However, his focus soon turned towards the importance of responsible gambling measures as he highlighted the overwhelming need to introduce “robust consumer protection measures with resolute focus on responsible gambling”.  

He said: “Low and behold, what a seismic shift this has been in just three years. At the same time, as an industry, we have been sketching out a sustainable way forward that will serve us well in the long run. 

“It is becoming ever more evident that the most efficient way of achieving long-term sustainability of the North American sports betting and igaming market is by introducing robust consumer protection measures with resolute focus on responsible gambling.”  

Explaining that there are lessons to be learned from the UK and the wider European market, the SVP warned that states simply cannot “sit on the fence and wait for any storms to blow over” when it comes to problem gambling. 

Instead, he implored the industry to now take the opportunity to “get on the front foot” and take action. He continued: “If there is anything to learn from the UK and the wider European experience, it is that sitting on the fence and waiting for any storms to blow over does not pay off. 

“I strongly believe that the North American industry is best advised to actively engage with responsible gambling matters and tackle them head-on with both enthusiasm and determination. 

“In other words, we might want to get on the front foot right here, right now, in order to prevent the simmering problem gambling concerns from boiling over. 

“Let’s not forget the old sports saying that defences win championships. Shoring up our consumer protection defences will give us an even stronger momentum for further economic development in the North American markets.”

Looking to the future, Lycka explained that the onus to provide help to at-risk customers clearly lies on the betting and gaming industry – highlighting that we must also steer bettors away from the black market.

He challenged the industry to focus on the ways in which the issue of problem gambling can be addressed, noting that we must continuously identify instances which could place gamblers at risk.

Lycka said: “What is the challenger that we’re all up against? It is estimated that overall, approximately five per cent of our customers are at risk of developing a gambling problem. This doesn’t mean that all of them will, especially if we can help it. 

“Clearly, the onus on the industry – being supported by regulators and third party suppliers – is to provide help to at-risk customers. At the same time, we need to cater to the demand of all customers that can, and do, play with us responsibly. We need to do that with the view of steering them away from the black market. 

“Here is our challenge: can we have an attractive product offering while protecting our customers from the scourge of gambling addiction? The answer, I believe, is a resounding yes. Yes we can, and yes we must.

“Exactly because the answer is a resounding yes, now is a high time that we focus not only on continuous identification of the problem that we’re facing, which itself is very important, but crucially and critically also on how it can be solved.”

The post Martin Lycka: We can’t sit on the fence <br> when it comes to responsible gambling appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Speaking at the Southbank Centre in London, McArthur explained that the UKGC’s call for evidence raised a number of concerns when it comes to VIP status’, which was thrust into the spotlight during a BBC Panorama documentary earlier this year.

During his address, McArthur placed a particular emphasis upon the issues associated with credit card gambling and inducements to gamble, in which he urged operators to ‘to do more to address online harms.’

Addressing gambling on credit, the UKGC CEO explained: “Our call for evidence has shown the level of concern and we are now consulting on what action we should take. We have a little more work to do, but I need to make it clear that the question is what action, not whether we should take any action to address our concerns.

“We already know that harm can occur for consumers at any stake levels and that effective use of account-based play data can be used to protect players. Nevertheless, we are looking closely at the case for introducing further protections for consumers online and this includes the evidence for imposing stake limits online as a means of further reducing the risk of harm.”

While he did emphasise that there has been ‘demonstrable progress’ in ‘markers of harm, customer interaction, affordability checks’, McArthur did point out that the UKGC remains ‘concerned’ over incentives and bonuses.

“We remain concerned around the offer of VIP status and associated incentives and bonuses,” he added. “The extent of wider public concern about these was highlighted in the recent Panorama programme, but more importantly they have been a constant feature in our enforcement work over recent years. 

“We cannot remain in a perpetual state of enforcement investigations into similar failings so, if the industry cannot or will not drive improvements in this area, we will need to explore the use of all our tools to encourage or mandate changes in the interests of consumer protection.” 

Pointing to the statistics, McArthur told attendees that the online market ‘outstrips’ the GGY brought in by ‘bricks and mortar’ gambling, having grown by 58 per cent compared to the ‘relatively stable’ growth of land-based operations.

Combined with the growth of mobile gambling, McArthur stressed that ‘we all need to do more to address online harms.’

He continued: “We know that conversations have already been taking place about the question of the treatment of VIPs and associated inducements to gamble.  As a result, we recently received an offer from one major operator to lead the development of a code of conduct in this area.

“We want to take up that offer and hope to see firm commitments in this area soon, including a pacey timetable for that work.”

Despite McArthur’s criticism of particular elements of the industry, he did point out that ‘what came over less clearly on TV was the fact that progress has been made’ in tackling problem gambling: “There has been an encouraging increase in the number of operators investing in and developing algorithms and machine learning to identify customers who may be experiencing harm.

“We have also seen increasing numbers of operators evaluating the effectiveness of their identification tools and customer interaction processes.”

He concluded: “We need your organisations to step forward to provide the right resource from your companies – leadership, financial, technical expertise, data, to make this happen.

“Where we can we will support you in kick starting this work, but where we see a lack of commitment and failure to meet standards, we will continue to be firm.

“If we work together I am sure we can make gambling fairer and safer.”

The post McArthur: The industry needs to do more to address online harms appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Speaking to CasinoBeats, Ilienkov dives into some of the responsible gaming features available via the Softswiss online casino platform before explaining why interactions between operators and players will undoubtedly evolve in the coming years.

CasinoBeats: The Softswiss online casino platform includes a number of player limits, can you tell us a bit about those? What do these include?

The SOFTSWISS online casino platform uses a number of native responsible gambling tools. Among the available limits are both those determined by the operator, and those initiated by the player, whether that is setting time limits and spending limits in the casino. 

One of the simplest and most common responsible gambling limits is the deposit limit, where a player can cap their deposit sum for a certain period of time: day, week or month. This limit is quite flexible and may be cancelled or changed, the player decides how strict the limit is. 

Loss limits and wager limits are also quite popular and widespread. With the former the player limits the amount they can lose in a casino, while with the latter the player sets a limit on the total sum they can bet over a period of time. 

To control the time spent in a casino, the player can set session limits. The system will then simply log you out and prevent you from logging in when the time limit has expired. A variation of a session limit is one in which the player puts a restriction on the time spent in the casino over a specific period of time. Such limits are obligatory, for example, in Greece. 

In exceptional circumstances there are self exclusion limits, which prevent the player from even logging into their account. While the previous types of limits can be changed in the player account or through a special support chat, the self exclusion limit is available with a permanent exclusion. 

In other words, this means a lifetime ban from the casino. A less extreme option is to take advantage of a cooling off period, which allows a user to log in and be in the account, but blocks the chance to place bets or make deposits.

There are a certain number of responsible gambling limits and tools that are relevant only for casinos operating under the Malta licence and some local licences. For example, the reality check. This is a pop up banner that appears after a certain period of time and shows how much a player has won and lost during the time spent in the casino. It can both be a call to action to take a break from gameplay, or a reminder to be mindful about your betting habits.

Another interesting tool is the ability to block a player automatically across all casinos operating under a particular licence. In participating casinos, the bettor is blocked in all casinos operating on Softswiss online casino platform under, for example, the Malta licence. This happens automatically to eliminate the chance of error and helps to quickly limit a particular user’s access to dozens of casinos at once. This is meant to reduce compulsive behaviour.

CasinoBeats: What was the decision process behind introducing these player limits? 

When talking about responsible gambling we should always consider two aspects of the phenomenon: the player’s responsibility and the operator’s responsibility. For the player, this means having a clear understanding that playing in a casino is a way to have fun, where a nice addition to gameplay might be winning.

We are well aware of the importance of developing the right attitude towards the game. It is best when treated as entertainment and not as a way to make money. So limits are often completely voluntary and are available to everyone without bias. At the same time, they are an important safeguard against detrimental behaviour. 

On the part of the operator, an equally important part of responsible gambling is working with minors. In our case, a lot of resources and time is spent on verifying players and identifying underage players. Teens often perceive casinos as a way to make money, so they are even more susceptible to wanting to play.

Moreover, responsible gambling has long been firmly rooted in local regulation. Casinos are obliged to comply with the laws of the countries in which they operate or are planning to obtain a licence. However, there are advantages in doing so. For example, in Latvia, the regulator gives us access to its self-exclusion database. This way we can block these players from accessing casinos operating on our software platform. This process is automated and the limits come into action quite quickly.

CasinoBeats: Why is it so important that operators are placing responsible gambling at the forefront of their business?

Responsible gambling is first and foremost about mindful interaction between a player and an operator. This is, one might say, the most responsible part of gambling and betting. 

Both the operator and the regulators in various countries and jurisdictions are constantly working to improve existing limits and their conditions. As a result, people should enjoy the game, but not lose their savings. Therefore, observing the rules of responsible gambling in the long run only works to the operators’ advantage: they have fewer interactions with regulators, they receive less player complaints, and overall fraudulent activity is reduced. 

Practice shows that a player who visits a casino for fun is, in the long run, more valuable and important to the operator than someone who has the goal of earning money or is spending too much time in a casino. After all, a legitimate operator aims to make a long-term investment in the business and player care is an essential part of that.

CasinoBeats: Where will the casino industry be in 10 years – how will player protection differ?

This is a complex question to which there is no clear answer. On the one hand, I am sure that the principles of responsible gambling will only become more relevant. The popularisation of responsible gambling, which smooths out the rough edges between players and operators, determines the development and application of various restrictions for at-risk players. 

Limits and regulation are likely to become so flexible and understandable to all that players will have an easier time of managing them on their own and, in the end, playing even more responsibly. Therefore, the interaction between operators and players will undoubtedly evolve. Who will regulate this, and how, is another matter. 

Many countries impose strict regulations on the gambling sector, which is reasonable and understandable. However, these are not standardised rules. They differ from country to country, which creates hardships for casino businesses. Therefore, it seems to me, in terms of  regulation of responsible gambling we have room to grow. 

CasinoBeats: What can we expect from the Softswiss online casino platform in 2022? 

This year we have quite ambitious plans, not only in relation to functional improvements to the Softswiss online casino platform, but also regarding the geographical expansion of our operations. We are now working to make the platform more flexible, giving operators more freedom in terms of customisation and allowing them to make adjustments depending on the characteristics and needs of their casino. 

We also intend to automate many processes, which will let us concentrate on more important and complex tasks. In this case, I’m talking about player verification and cash outs.

Globally, of course, we expect to enter new markets. We are in the process of obtaining several local licences, which will be a welcome addition to existing ones and will particularly please our clients and partners. 

This is one of the main trends of the last few years, so we are working quite hard in this regard. For example, in 2021 Softswiss obtained local licences for Serbia, Greece, and Nigeria. I’m sure 2022 will be just as successful. 

Last but not least it is the development of the crypto casino solution. We see a growing interest in this operation format and are confident that crypto casinos are the future. We have a lot of experience in crypto gambling as Softswiss was the first company to develop a bitcoin optimised casino solution. 

Right now the Softswiss crypto casino solution offers 3,000+ cryptocurrency optimised games from over 40 game providers and the numbers are constantly increasing.

The post Denis Ilienkov, Softswiss: Prioritising safer gambling standards appeared first on CasinoBeats.