Our responsible gambling program is recognized for its global leadership, earning the highest levels of third-party industry recognition and accreditation: Awarded best Overall Responsible Gaming (RG) Program in the world by the World Lottery Association in 2015 All Ontario slots and casino sites certified by RG Check as of 2018. Responsible gambling info: every single gambling site should a page with advice and information, as well as links to related organisations and help services. The American Association of Psychiatry.
Responsible gambling is an effective concept that helps players to stay away from the vices of gambling. Gambling is a mode of entertainment, and it should be treated like one by every player. For many, it is a medium of time pass, but some people get addicted to gambling. They tend to risk their money and mental health for online gambling. How can we help? Getting Started.
Responsible gambling is the set of social responsibility initiatives by the gambling industry—including governments and gaming control boards, operators (such as casinos), and vendors—to ensure the integrity and fairness of their operations and to promote awareness of harms associated with gambling, such as gambling addiction.
Areas[edit]
Gambling addiction[edit]
Commitments to promoting awareness of gambling addiction is included within the concept of responsible gambling, and can include customer-imposed limits and self-exclusion schemes. In the United Kingdom, several major banks have also offered the ability for customers to block gambling-related translations on their credit cards. NatWest introduced a pilot in October 2019 to allow GamCare appointments to be scheduled at selected branches.[1] 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.[2]
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.[3] 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 from the gambling operator.
Underage gambling[edit]
The industry has also partaken in commitments to prevent those who are not appropriately-aged from participating in gambling activities.[4] 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.[5] In 2017, the organization announced a code of conduct for its members, which included specific training requirements for employees to deal with underage gaming.[6]
Fraudulent and criminal behaviour[edit]
Operators are required[by whom?] to implement anti-money laundering policies and procedures. This involves implementing effective know your customer processes when taking on new customers and tracking and reporting any suspicious transactions.[citation needed]
Information privacy[edit]
Information privacy refers to the protection of customer data and records against unauthorised or unnecessary disclosure. Operators are required[by whom?] to implement policies that ensure controls and measures are in place to prevent unauthorised disclosure and use of customer information. Customer information typically relates to data such as name, address, age, telephone number and email address.[citation needed]
Prompt and accurate customer payments[edit]
Operators must ensure that payments to and from customer accounts must be conducted according to formal and documented processes in an accurate and timely manner. Operators typically ensure that customer funds are managed separately from their own accounts and that they have sufficient cleared funds to pay all player prize wins and outstanding player balances.[citation needed]
Fair gaming[edit]
All gaming products should be tested to ensure they are fair and random and that they adhere to the rules of that game. Testing to ensure fair gaming is increasingly carried out by independent organisations.[citation needed]
Ethical and responsible marketing[edit]
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 prior to engaging in direct marketing through use of the customer’s personal details.[citation needed]
Customer satisfaction[edit]
Customers should be able to freely make comments or complaints to operators and expect operators to have in place adequate processes and procedures to deal with complaints, either internally or via an independent third-party. For example, ecogra.org provides a mediation service for disputes between players and operators.[citation needed]
Secure, safe and reliable operating environment[edit]
Operators are required[by whom?] 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 procedures to ensure that operations can continue in the event of unforeseen circumstances or disasters.[citation needed]
Responsible gaming codes of conduct[edit]
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 organisations. These competing and overlapping codes of conduct or standards have evolved over time due to the evolution of multiple legal and trade frameworks.
Responsible Gambling Index
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.[7] The European Committee for Standardisation is the process of developing Responsible Remote Gambling Measures that can protect customers and ensure that the remote gambling operators, software suppliers and associated service providers behave responsibly, which would be adopted on a voluntary basis.
Responsible gaming events[edit]
A number of industry events have been organised to help the industry promote responsible gaming practices. The European Gaming and Betting Association organised the EGBA Responsible Gaming Day conference in the European Parliament in October 2010. The World Lotteries Association has actively organised events for its members to discuss and promote best practice in terms of Responsible Gaming. The European Association for the Study of Gambling's 8th Annual Conference in September 2010 was attended by academics, policy makers and industry representatives and much of its themes and discussions centred on responsible gaming.
References[edit]
- ^Davies, Rob (2019-10-30). 'NatWest to offer help to gambling addicts in high-street branches'. The Guardian. ISSN0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
- ^Davies, Rob (2018-05-17). 'Maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals cut to £2'. The Guardian. ISSN0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
- ^'Responsible Gambling: Be Aware And Know Your Limits CasinoGuide'. www.casinoguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
- ^Derevensky, Jeffrey; Gupta, Rina (2004). Gambling Problems in Youth: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. p. 245. ISBN0306485850.
- ^Shaffer, Howard; Hall, Matthew; Vander Bilt, Joni; George, Elizabeth (2003). Futures at Stake: Youth, Gambling, and Society. Reno: University of Nevada Press. pp. 217. ISBN087417368X.
- ^Garcia, Regina (2017-08-03). 'Associated Press – Casino industry in US has new rules for responsible gambling'. AGA. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
- ^'Cass Knowledge'. Cass Business School – City, University of London.
For some people gambling can change from being an entertaining and pleasurable activity and become a problem. When that happens, gambling becomes too important in a person’s life and hurt their social and financial well-being, excluding him/herself from their family and their friends to focus on gambling. Spending too much think about gambling and how to beat the odds. We offer a Self Check Quiz that will allow you to determine whether you have a gambling problem.
Click HereA big thank you to the NRGP, for their unremitting support since 2014. When compulsive gambling brought me to my knees, the NRGP was there to assist with treatment expenses, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford. Their continued support, since, has included unlimited counsel by way of psychiatric and psychology care, both of which have included professional, yet nurturing guidance. I experience peace-of-mind knowing that the NRGP commits itself to making available these critical resources precisely because they avail themselves to an investment into my well-being. All this has afforded me a supportive recovery from an otherwise deadly compulsion.
Hi. I am a single mom of two kids . About 10 yrs ago i began gambling with friends and over the years my addiction progressed to an out of control stage. I gambled my rent money,my fuel for work and only saw to the basic needs of my kids. I started to make loans and my life became one big lie. At the end of July 2017, i couldn’t carry on any longer, it felt like my life came to a crossroads I was physically,mentally and emotionally drained. I saw Dr Heidi Sinclair and was booked into Ixande clinic for 30 days. With the help of counselors and following the 12 step programme, i admitted that i was powerless against my addiction and my recovery started with intensive therapy. I believe that i would not have been 7 months clean now,without the help that i received through the Gambling support programme. I still attend group sessions every alternate Saturdays which also help me with my day to day adjustments. I will always be grateful to the programme for all their support. Thank you
The assistance and support I have received from the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has been invaluable . The programme has given me insight and clear understanding of my gambling addiction. It has provided essential professional guidance , counselling and rehabilitation opportunity for which I am most grateful. I encourage those in need of help to approach the SARGF . My thanks to the SARGF and all staff for this very vital service they provide.
Responsible Gambling Trust
I had my gambling under control, or so I thought. It started off as entertainment, for months it was fun until I slowly started sinking in debt’s. It was no longer fun, it became an obsession. I would go to the casino with borrowed money, hoping that it would be my lucky day. Things became worse, then one morning I hit a R20 000 jackpot. I became an aggressive gambler, didn’t even care when I would lose my salary. Three months in a row I lost my salary, lived on money from loan sharks. I ended with a lot of enemies because I couldn’t pay them back. One morning I sat at a machine with the hope of winning but instead lost R5 000 in 2 hours. That’s when I decided enough is enough. I had no one to turn to, my family had found out about my gambling and they didn’t want anything to do with me. I had to decide to turn my life around to get back the trust and dignity from all those I’ve hurt. I got the numbers for the SA gambling programme at the exit of the casino. I called them, and the person I spoke to was such a good listener. He spoke to me in a way that I just saw hope again. I was booked for sessions with a very professional social worker. It wasn’t easy but I am grateful that I took that decision. I have not set my foot in any casino in 25months. I’m very grateful to Dr Heidi and the gambling programme team.
Industry Support and Mentorship Programme
The mentorship service includes: Direct telephone support by the NRGP’s Mentorship Programme Manager during a crisis and debriefing after traumatic events. An email and telephone
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The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers the following free prevention programmes to gambling industry Operators and regulators Prevention Programmes – Level 1 Course Course
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The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) provides Free and Confidential Treatment and Counselling to those affected by Problem Gambling and their immediate family members. For the past 18 Years The SARGF has treated more than 18, 500 people. We also educate South Africans about the potential harmful effect of problem gambling and responsible gambling.
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Find out more about questions that you might have or you could contact us on or toll FREE counselling line, 0800 006 008 Or WhatsApp/SMS HELP To 076 675 0710 or email to helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za or call our International Number: +27 21 674 5830
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