Lockdown pressures authorities into new online gambling guidelines
While for many of us quarantine came as a good opportunity to relax a bit, spend time with the family, and maybe cash up with a few shows and games online, for the state it was different. Most national regulators in Europe saw the rise in online games and online gambling as a cause for concern and pressed in the new regulation.
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For many of those knowledgeable about the world of online gambling, these rules will seem as redundant as reputable casinos are already surpassing most of them when it comes to internal rules. But, there is an argument to be made that these new guidelines proposed by the Gaming Commission in countries like the United Kingdom will make it easier to distinguish between quality operators and those with shady intent.
Most of the rules are aimed to prevent any predatory behavior. This includes pre-set bonus winnings and aggressive risk-incentives that are known to affect emotionally vulnerable people the most.
Visible Rise in Online Gambling
While sports betting declined for almost a third during lockdown due to a few games being played worldwide, online betting and gambling experienced a steep rise averaging around 20% for all types of games.
But, the rise is not homogenous, with virtual betting and online poker growing almost 40% in this period. This showcases the new type of player that is more concerned with entertainment than with the wager itself.
Numbers are as Expected
What spurred most of the concern was the higher openness to risk-taking, especially for online slots and spinners. While these games have a generally high return and low stakes, players are more willing to spend time having fun trying to see what will happen than to form any type of strategy.
Generally, this is to be expected due to the high bonuses offered by the new UK online casinos, which have mitigated the risks considerably. With bonuses going as far as £2000 and wagers as low as 10p, it is presumably normal that players won’t value their money more than their time.
Still, under the new guidelines, the casino is forbidden to exploit someone’s infatuation with the game. Not only will overwhelmed players be restricted from dwelling deeper into gambling, but the operator will be mandated to contact them and check their gambling habits.
From the player’s standpoint, this is irrelevant, as responsible gaming is recommended regardless of the behavior of the operator. But, when it comes to public health in these trying times, it might be a good idea to give these people a call, if nothing to see how they are doing.
Various Approaches
Several approaches have been proposed both in the relations with the new guidelines and the points that were left out of the document. Most critics point out that the commission is mixing terms used for online gaming when it comes to video games, and that regarding online gambling.
The findings from UKGC point out that 64% of new players are ‘engaged gamblers’ because they have used more than three different betting products. But, in the new online gambling market, these seem like rookie numbers, as there are hundreds of different games online, and most people jump from game to game all the time.
The approach where all games from a single account will be taken into consideration to access if the person playing is at risk from addiction will probably bear the most fruit. But, it still remains to be seen how both the players and the operators will adapt to the new situation.
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Online Gambling as Entertainment
The new influx in players may have activated some shady internet predators to attempt to draw inexperienced online betters to their websites, but for now, it seems like they are at a loss.
Either because of the new tech-savvy generation or extended exposure to concepts from video games, new players are not as interested in being ‘the big winner’ as they are in having fun. This is an excellent approach when it comes to any type of leisure activity online and is recommended for everyone else to follow as well.
Additionally, with the use of social media and independent online reviewers, we can stay informed and learn to avoid predatory websites. The combination of individual and social efforts in this field will reduce the number of people afflicted with gambling disorders to a minimum.
Prevent Predatory Behavior
While the new guidelines proposed by both the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and in consideration by a few others won’t bring anything new to the table when it comes to reputable gambling operators, it is a step in the right direction.
If you notice any casino not following this rule it would be a red flag and you should take your business elsewhere. As it is currently the player’s market when it comes to online gambling and betting, there is no reason not to support the platforms that offer the best environment to the player.
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