For players navigating the wide world of online gaming, there can be a minefield of pitfalls that can come their way.
From rogue operators to not making the most of responsible gambling tools or trying to find a platform to suit your needs, there are all sorts of considerations to make. Without a doubt though, the issue that players can take into their own hands is that of being responsible with their gaming.
But how? Well, Dudley Nader, a seasoned casino game expert at BetKiwi, and strong advocate for responsible gambling, thinks that’s where educating players is of the utmost importance. This ensures they know how to always manage their gambling responsibly. The mark of a reputable gambling operator is to help impart this knowledge and make gaming as safe and transparent as can be.
Responsible gambling practices: Advice on how to safeguard your wellbeing
Responsible gambling isn’t some abstract unknown term – there are very concrete actions that players can take to ensure their gambling always stays safe. There are plenty of ways that players can ensure they remain in control, and the sites they frequent should provide them with both the advice and the tools to do so.
Access to gambling history
Responsible sites will offer players full access to their gambling history and financial tracking information. Players should be able to find a full history of every bet they’ve made as well as every deposit, withdrawal, win and loss. This transparency can allow players to evaluate their behaviour and ensure it’s on the right side of responsibility.
Don’t gamble while under the influence
Perhaps the easiest way to stick to responsible gambling is to understand the golden rule of never playing under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don’t put yourself in the position of risking money because your judgment is impaired. It’s never worth it.
Urging players to contact problem gambling support
Many sites will also point players to helpful organisations that can offer assistance if gambling starts to become a problem. Gamblers Anonymous and BeGambleAware are among the groups that offer resources, counselling and helplines to anybody struggling with their gambling.
What tools do gambling sites offer for safer betting?
While players should always take control of their gaming habits, there are plenty of things offered by sites that can help along the way as they have a huge duty of care towards their players.
Deposit limits
Deposit limits are typically the first instance of responsible gambling tools that players find when signing up with a new site. Reputable platforms will offer players the chance to set their initial deposit limit, so they won’t be able to use any more money above that limit per day, week or month to play with. Setting a deposit limit while in a good frame of mind can prepare you to stick to your gaming budget.
Time limits
It’s also important to take regular breaks when you’re gaming. Sitting down at your computer or on your phone for a prolonged session can lead to more impulsive decisions, which can be especially bad if you’re losing. In addition to deposit limits, many sites will also let you set time limits for your gaming. Alternatively, you can choose to step away for a cup of tea or to clear your head to help you gain a better perspective on your gaming habits.
Self-exclusion options
For those who are feeling that their gaming habits are getting out of hand, there are self-exclusion options available. Self-exclusion allows players to block themselves from accessing sites for a specified period of time. Taking yourself away from the game for a longer period of time can help you break harmful habits if they are beginning to form.
Reality checks
We’ve already touched on timeouts, which allow players to set their own time limits for play on sites. However, many sites also offer reality checks. These won’t block player’s access to the site but offer a reminder that if they’ve been gaming for a while then it might be time for a break. Time limits will automatically log a player out after a set period of time.
Loss and wager limits
In addition to deposit limits, sites also offer loss and wager limits. These ensure a player can’t lose more than a set amount of money during a gaming session or will prevent them from wagering more than a set amount either during a session or on single bets.
Access to gambling history
Responsible sites will offer players full access to their gambling history and financial tracking information. Players should be able to find a full history of every bet they’ve made as well as every deposit, withdrawal, win and loss. This transparency can allow players to evaluate their behaviour and ensure it’s on the right side of responsibility.
Urging players to contact problem gambling support
Many sites will also point players to helpful organisations that can offer assistance if gambling starts to become a problem. Gamblers Anonymous and BeGambleAware are among the groups that offer resources, counselling and helplines to anybody struggling with their gambling.
How to educate players about responsible gambling
The best way for players to learn about the importance of responsible gambling is through education that is a result of a collaborative effort.
Gambling operators, support groups and the industry’s regulators all have their part to play to ensure players know about the options that are available to them.
The role of gambling operators: Empowering players with tools and training
Sites should prominently display information promoting responsible gambling habits. Clear explanations of the available tools should be easy to find as should links to any suitable support services. Transparently sharing this type of information can increase player trust in a site as their needs are at the centre of what’s prioritised.
Some platforms require new players to complete responsible gambling tutorials before they play. This gives players all the essential information they need regarding responsible practices before they get caught up in the excitement of playing.
Social media is a great tool for spreading messages, too. Gambling platforms can utilise social media to share the best responsible gambling practices. Campaigns focused on one specific practice can also catch people’s attention and could be the best way to get a message through — one thing at a time.
Many sites also offer players free self-assessment tests to let them evaluate their own habits. These tests put players in control of their gaming by helping them recognise if problem behaviours are emerging and then offering advice on what they can do to get back on the right track.
Customer service also has its part to play. Operators should make sure that their staff are highly trained in identifying problem gaming and are able to guide players who need help in an empathetic and compassionate way.
The role of regulators and industry leaders: Blending compliance with player well-being
It’s not just the responsibility of operators and players as the regulators setting down the rules for the gambling industry have their part to play. These regulators make sure that operators are complying with legal standards so they can be licensed to operate.
Many licensing conditions refer to responsible gambling, making sure that the site offers appropriate support when players need it.
Industry leaders must also take proactive steps in promoting responsible gambling, rather than merely meeting regulatory requirements. By investing in research, developing advanced player protection tools, and prioritising player well-being, operators can contribute to a safer gambling environment.
The role of AI in responsible gaming: Spotting problem gambling early on
Artificial intelligence is on the rise in all kinds of industries. AI can benefit industry and wider society through its ability to analyse large volumes of data in real-time to spot patterns. The more data that is fed into AI the better it learns, so the more widely used it becomes then the better it will learn.
So how does this all relate to responsible gambling? If used in this industry, AI could be used to spot problematic behaviours quicker than any other intervention could. By raising these red flags in real-time if a player seems to be playing longer or wagering more than usual, the platform can intervene before any real harm is caused.
There’s never any time to waste when it comes to making sure responsible gambling is being adhered to. So rather than waiting for players to exceed their own self-imposed limits or ask for self-exclusion to be applied to their account, AI can make those decisions in real time.
By detecting the signs of unhealthy gaming, such as chasing losses or depositing excessive sums, the platform could block access to these features or put the player in a time-out.
Personalised support by AI powered chatbots
AI can offer extremely personalised support based on gaming behaviour and habits. Chatbots powered by AI can intervene and engage with players in real time, offering them a bit of support or the opportunity to talk to humans for more assistance. Tailored solutions such as this can also point players in the direction of self-help tools or even counselling services in extreme cases.
The thing about AI is it’s only going to get better with time. The more data that is fed into AI’s analysing systems, the more adept it is going to become at spotting patterns and learning what to do about them. In the online gaming sector, the more players provide data for AI to learn from will make the technology more finely tuned moving forward.
This could allow AI to spot trends with more than individual players, such as times of the day or night when riskier behaviour is exhibited. This could be crucial, especially for global platforms that are being used around the clock.
It would also be quick to notice if a specific player is on a losing streak and work out when to intervene if that player has shown signs of chasing losses. The more data there is to work with, the earlier an intervention can be made, potentially allowing more players to be prevented from doing anything harmful.
Informed play: The last word on why education counts
Very simply, Dudley Nader is right when he says: “Educating players is one of the most important aspects” when it comes to responsible gambling.
By keeping players properly informed of their options, they can make better decisions to ensure their gaming remains fun. Platforms need to push this education onto players, enhancing trust between the operator and player.
Through a collective effort, the gambling industry can foster a culture of responsible gambling, protecting players from potential harm while maintaining the sector’s integrity.
