A Closer Look at
Responsible Online Gambling Features
by Mike
Harrison, Strategy and Games
Writer
Responsible Gambling Features, commonly referred to as RGF's
by online casino operators, were a major topic of interest in the 2006
eCOGRA
Global Online Gambler Survey and Report. It should be pleasing to note that
eCOGRA's report
states from 51% to 75% of surveyed players say they find RGF's "quite useful".
Although surveyed focus groups viewed the issue as one which should be the
responsibility of each individual player rather than the responsibility of
online casinos, the overall sentiment is that RGF's should be doing what they
are intended for - to prevent and curb down on problem gambling.
In the online casino gaming
industry, there are considered to be five widely used RGF's, including
time/spending limitations, self exclusion, bank-like financial statements and
openly shared information on problem and underage gambling in general. Of these,
both the surveyed focus groups and individual casino and poker players said they
found the "light-touch" RGF's, such as regular financial statements, more useful
than the more extreme measures, such as self-exclusion.
With this valuable
feedback, the widespread sentiment that self-exclusion and time/spending
restrictions are not practical measures, now has more weight. Considering that a
gambler meets their betting limitations or excludes their self from playing at a
site, nothing is going to stop the player from opening a gaming account
elsewhere (Yet another issue that industry-wide regulation could help solve, but
that is another matter altogether).
While many surveyed players acknowledge the
fact that self-exclusion is a conflict of interest for gaming operators, a large
number of players made sentiments that casinos who adopt and enforce strict
Responsible Gambling Features will gain more of their trust and confidence than
a site that did not offer any of the above-mentioned RGF's.
The survey concluded
that a great deal of research needed to be done more about RGF's and their
efficacy. In the meantime, player's are always urged to make use of RGF's if
they ever suspect they may have a gambling problem.
More eCOGRA Global Online
Gambler Survey Insight:
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