This month, Jo Abergel, the co-founder and president of the Ethical Gambling Forum, explains in the Founders Column that safer gambling is more than a simple “tick box” response to regulation.
In the past few years the gaming and betting industry has seen a major transformation. More markets have introduced gambling legislation. We’ve seen more products launched and an important shift towards online gaming.
The focus of responsible gambling, and the protection of players is one major change.
There is no one single reason for the shift of attitude from gaming companies. It would be a mistake to believe that technology hasn’t had a part in this shift.
Gambling will be available to you at the tip of your fingers in 2024. The majority of smartphone models now include betting apps. This means that the players can bet wherever and whenever they like. They can also bet privately.
In the past, to place a wager, gamblers had to go to a casino or shop. This was because someone would be on site to monitor whether or not you were staying within your betting limits.
In addition, gambling advertisements have increased in recent years. You can’t watch television, listen to radio, or watch football matches without seeing a lot of igaming adverts. It has led some to question the appropriateness of these adverts. Some jurisdictions have banned certain types of ads, including real-time advertisements during the half-time period in football games.
Online gambling has made it easier for those who have gambling problems, as well as those underage and with financial concerns.
There is still more progress to make
We continue to witness an increasing number of gambling-related injuries. It is evident that more must be done to protect players.
As an industry, I think we are gradually but surely beginning to understand that protecting players is more than just a box to tick. Today, both the customer base and larger society are demanding a values-based strategy.
The need to protect players will only continue to grow. It is especially relevant now that environmental, social and corporate governance issues are becoming a critical part for businesses who want to stay competitive. Many jurisdictions have implemented ESG reporting guidelines in recent years. Directors of boards will be personally responsible if they fail to meet regulatory requirements.
In terms of both volume and prominence, there has been a rise in the number of charities dedicated to helping those who have lived with gambling addiction. They are doing a great job to spread awareness about gambling and reduce stigma.
Several of these charities encourage others to also speak out about the effects that problem gambling can have on themselves, their family members, friends and employers. The need for responsible gaming has been highlighted by the increased visibility.
Gambling industry must demonstrate their moral obligation to protect its players. Many operators have launched their own initiatives. We’d love to learn more about these initiatives and get concrete stats on their impact.
A greater level of collaboration is required
You would be wrong to claim that the industry hasn’t responded to the problem of gambling. The gambling industry has. Operators have collectively introduced several initiatives that flag bad behaviour and notify players of any changes in their gambling behavior. But I do believe there should be more cooperation between operators, and one point of contact to share details about vulnerable players.
We are also seeing this type of cooperation when identifying transactions that may be suspicious. We have an opportunity to go one step beyond and exchange information about at-risk players and those who self-exclude themselves.
It is also important to ensure that the people who work in the gambling sector are protected. Statistically, these are the workers who have the highest risk of developing a gambling problem.
I have found that most safer gambling interventions focus on the customers, rather than other industry members.
Leaders in this industry can be given leadership coaching and training to help them identify the signs of harm that are relevant for those who work in the sector. It could be a lack of energy or a tendency to fall asleep during the shift, or asking for money from colleagues.
These symptoms may be a sign of something else. It is a topic that a manager should bring up, with open questions and active listening.
What is the next step?
It is true that I do not have the expertise to support colleagues who are suffering from gambling addiction. You don’t have to be an expert in order to start a conversation. Line managers, who are the best at knowing their team members, should be aware of this. The line managers are most likely to notice changes in behavior that could be a sign of a problem. They have the opportunity to act before things escalate.
To achieve this goal, managers must feel supported in their organisation and be aware of when they’re out-of-their depth.
Culture change does not happen over night. It will take time to address the problems associated with gambling harm. We are beginning to see positive changes.
In the future, senior management teams need to encourage a culture that is open and collaborative, because irresponsible and unprotected gambling damage the image of the entire industry.
It is true that C-Level Executives have a very delicate balance to walk. Also, they have an obligation to their investors. The reality, however, is that responsible gaming will only increase in importance. Operators and suppliers that become pioneers in this area will benefit their clients, employees and shareholders.
