The licensing authority checks for such measures with the operator both when obtaining the license and during its subsequent operation. For example, violating responsible gambling rules can be grounds for suspension or even revocation of the license in almost all jurisdictions.\
Each jurisdiction independently determines the rules for responsible gambling business. However, the legislation of most jurisdictions contains the most common requirements.
They include:
1) Prohibition on participation in gambling for individuals who have not reached the legal age.
This age is 18 or 21 in most countries. Therefore, operators must verify the players’ age. This means that customers must submit photographs of identity documents, such as a passport, driver’s license, or other. It is very common for the player to take a photo (selfie) together with the document. In some jurisdictions, such as the UK, there is an option for the player to provide proof of payment of any tax or utility bill.
Some online casinos do not require your personal information; instead, they will ask you to enter a phone number to which an SMS confirmation will be sent. The operator can then identify the owner of the number. This method is not reliable: age verification has not been conducted. Firstly, a potential player can use someone else’s phone number to enter the code. Secondly, the gaming number may be registered to another person, such as a parent.
2: providing players with the opportunity to self-restrict or exclude others.
Self-exclusion is a restriction on a player’s ability to play on the platform for an extended period, usually six months or more. This mechanism was first officially implemented in Manitoba (Canada) in 1989, and since then, it has been present in the legislation of many jurisdictions in various forms.
There are two main types. In some jurisdictions, operators are required to implement this, but there is no unified system for operators. If a player submits a self-exclusion request to an operator and the operator approves the request, the player can still register and play at another casino. In each casino, the player must personally submit a self-exclusion request. Until 2019, such a system was in place in Malta.
In another option, a player can submit a self-exclusion request to one operator and then block access to all operators licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. All operators are required to check the registry where their data is recorded. In Belarus, there is a system that allows any person to limit their access to gambling establishments, virtual gambling establishments, and participation in gambling for a period ranging from six months to three years. To do this, it is necessary to submit a request to any operator, who will then pass it to the central system. Until the end of the restriction period, playing in Belarus will no longer be possible: the information about the self-exclusion will be available to all operators working online and offline. Otherwise, the player will not be able to cancel the self-exclusion until it expires.
It is required that clients have the ability to set limits or restrictions on the amount of money and time they spend over a certain period. Examples of setting limits:
The ability to limit the amount of bets daily or monthly.
You can set a limit on the amount of time a player can spend on the platform.
the ability to avoid certain games or products (such as bookmakers or casinos).
Many jurisdictions also require operators to use the “timeout” feature. This mechanism is similar to self-exclusion, but self-exclusion has a minimum term of 6 months, while a timeout lasts for 12 hours. After the timeout period, the game does not resume automatically; instead, players are given the option to continue playing or resume later.
(3) Information and training
Operators must inform players about the potential risks associated with gambling. These risks include the likelihood of losing money, possible consequences of gambling addiction, and addresses of organizations that help people with gambling problems.
In addition, players should have access to data about their account, such as the total amount of bets, wins and losses over a specific period, session duration, and frequency of play.
(4) Restrictions on marketing and advertising policy
The following are the main standards of this standard:
Advertising materials should not distort odds, chances, and potential prizes.
Operators should present gambling as entertainment, not as a means to solve financial problems or improve financial situations.
Marketing and advertising should not raise the stakes.
Minors and other vulnerable groups should not be the target of marketing and advertising.
Gambling should not give the impression that it carries no risk.
5) “Reality Check”
During the gaming session, the operator must use a “reality check,” which includes a pop-up notification that appears at certain intervals and reminds players of the need to stop or quit the game.
6) Acceptance and withdrawal of bets
First, the operator must display the in-game currency as real money (for example, euros, rubles, etc.) rather than tokens or points. This will help players understand the value of their bets and winnings. Second, the operator should not provide loans to players, and the platform will not accept payments via credit cards. However, regular debit cards or other payment options will remain available. Third, the platform must explain how to withdraw funds and limit bonus offers if a player initiates a withdrawal, so as not to encourage them to keep playing and lose the money they intended to withdraw.
As a result, regulators of the gambling industry closely monitor operators’ compliance with the rules, and judicial practice actively protects players’ rights.
