Responsible Gaming: On a Rol

What the Insiders are Saying About Responsible Gaming. . .

The Caribbean island of Antigua is fast becoming the hub of Internet wagering. In just five years the rapid growth of this new industry is spurring the government into exploring ways of enhancing this e-commerce, and the government is paying particular attention to responsible online gambling.
The oft-quoted U.K. Budd Report is far from silent on regulatory issues pertaining to underage gambling and compulsive gambling. The report recommends several future licensing procedures designed to mitigate problems associated with underage gambling and addiction.
Online gambling industry consulting groups such as Missouri-based River City Group, are advocating for operators to take responsible gaming "very seriously."
Sue Schneider, who chairs the Interactive Gaming Council, a not-for-profit corporation that promotes the online gambling industry says, ". . . The industry has a responsibility to act in a manner that attempts to minimize underage and compulsive gambling."

A Sure Bet

The issues surrounding responsible gaming are more than a blip on the radar screen of governments, regulators, and potential regulators. Why is this?

Responsible gaming:

is in the best interest of the interactive gaming industry, customers, government and the community;
results in a socially rewarding leisure activity;
reflects the notion that the sustainability of the interactive gaming industry depends on the support of customers and gaming's response to varying needs of the customer; and
recognizes ranges in community values.

The Most Expensive Responsible Gaming Program Is. . . No Program at All

The American Gaming Association's chairman and CEO, Frank Fahrenkopf, has referred to issues surrounding compulsive gambling and underage gambling as the "Achilles heel" of the gaming industry. While his quote referenced land-based gaming, it is not much of a mental stretch to see that the same could be said for interactive gaming. Public perception drives public policy.

A person with a gambling addiction will go to any lengths to get money to continue his/her addiction. Any lengths often include: theft, embezzlement from the employer, torching a car or business, fraudulent accounting, check kiting, or other financial scams. Gambling addicts are desperate people taking desperate measures to get money to perpetuate their addiction.

Think for a moment about a desperate gambling addict who happens to be your customer and news of his/her illegal deeds come to public attention. Think for a moment that the news includes where the person most often gambled. Think for moment about whether you would be pleased that you had stepped up to the plate and had integrated a responsible gaming program into your site.

Responsible gaming. . . It's the right thing to do.