Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories News, News, News, News

Enhanced regulatory measures to protect vulnerable groups in the gambling sector

Between January 1, 2024, and October 10, 2024, the National Revenue Agency (NRA) reinforced its commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals through increased inspections of betting and gambling establishments nationwide. By conducting checks at 129 locations, the NRA emphasized adherence to the ban on providing gambling services to individuals listed in the register of vulnerable persons, as outlined in Article 10g of the Gambling Act.

This register, established to protect individuals at risk of gambling addiction, requires operators to deny access to gaming facilities and online platforms to those listed. The NRA continues its commitment to enforcing the law and safeguarding vulnerable groups through regular inspections and monitoring of the gambling sector.

These actions align with the NRA’s and the government’s intensified efforts to promote responsible gaming practices and limit opportunities for at-risk individuals to participate in gambling. Strict control mechanisms have been introduced for operators in the gambling sector, forming part of a broader initiative to regulate and safeguard public health.

Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories Uncategorized

Responsible Gaming Foundation to Participate in European Safer Gambling Week 2024

The Responsible Gaming Foundation will participate in the European Safer Gambling Week (ESGW24), which will take place from November 18 to 24, 2024. The event is organized by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and aims to raise awareness about responsible gambling and player protection in the gaming sector.

Last year’s campaign brought together over 160 partners from 20 European countries and reached millions of people through social media and local events. This year, EGBA aims for even greater participation and impact, encouraging the organization of events, training, and discussions related to safer gambling.

The Responsible Gaming Foundation will once again take part in ESGW24, supporting initiatives that promote safer and more responsible practices within the gaming industry. The foundation remains committed to raising awareness and improving player protection in Bulgaria. By encouraging players to gamble within their limits and providing resources to those at risk, the foundation aims to reduce gambling-related harm and foster a safer, more sustainable gaming environment.

Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories News

A Webinar with Dr. Maris Catania on Responsible Gaming brought together professionals from the gaming industry

 On November 7th, the Responsible Gaming Foundation hosted a successful webinar featuring Dr. Maris Catania, a leading expert in responsible gambling and Senior Safer Gambling Consultant at SG:certified. You can watch the recording on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/7AXg3LMPGjE

With over fourteen years of dedicated experience in safer gambling, Dr. Catania explored how to make Responsible Gambling (RG) a benefit rather than a burden for organizations. Her work at SG:certified focuses on designing and delivering cutting-edge training programs and regulatory solutions to empower gambling operators and regulators to meet their responsible gambling, compliance, and sustainability goals. The session saw participation from numerous industry specialists and provided invaluable insights into proactive RG strategies, fostering safer and more positive customer experiences while enhancing business outcomes.

Dr. Catania emphasized the importance of adopting a human-centered approach to RG. While operators may recognize signs of gambling problems, empowering customers to make informed choices is crucial. Instead of abruptly closing accounts, which can lead to hostility, contacting customers directly can help them self-exclude voluntarily. This method builds trust between the operator and the customer, illustrating how proactive RG strategies improve overall customer satisfaction.

Dr. Catania highlighted that detecting early signs of problem gambling fosters meaningful relationships with customers. By offering personalized advice and tools such as setting limits, blocking certain products, and opting out of promotions, operators can help customers manage their gambling habits effectively. This creates a stable relationship based on trust, allowing customers to feel more comfortable discussing their behaviors and seeking help when necessary.

The presentation also covered academic insights and research implementation in responsible gambling, discussing how understanding problematic play can inform better practices. Key topics included the impact of deposit limits on retention and the significance of voluntary self-exclusion as a proxy measure for problem gambling.

The webinar offered a clear vision of how responsible gambling can be integrated into business strategies, turning RG into a competitive advantage. SG:certified’s mission aligns with this vision, providing a centralised regulatory platform that supports gambling operators and regulators in their sustainability journey. With access to assessments, training, and benchmarks, SG:certified empowers organisations to achieve their responsible gambling, ESG, and CSR certification goals effectively. Dr. Catania’s extensive experience made this session a valuable learning experience for all professionals in the gambling sector. By adopting proactive measures, detecting issues early, and fostering trust-based relationships, attendees learned how responsible gambling can elevate the entire industry while benefiting both players and operators.

Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories Blog

What are the gambling regulations in Eastern Europe: Insight by Rossi McKee

Rossi McKee discussed regional gambling regulations at SiGMA East Europe in Budapest during her participation in a panel discussion focused on responsible gaming practices. Mrs. McKee, a prominent advocate for responsible gaming and the Founder of the Responsible Gaming Foundation, shared her insights on the evolving regulatory landscape across Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

During the discussion, McKee provided an in-depth analysis of the recent regulatory changes, with a particular focus on Bulgaria’s new legislation, which imposes significant restrictions on gambling advertising. She emphasized that these changes are indicative of a broader trend towards stronger player protection measures across the region. “When implementing regulations especially concerning the safer gambling measures and player protection the specifics of the local market should be taken into account,” Rossi McKee noted.

Mrs. McKee went on to share insights into how these regulatory developments are shaping the future of the gaming industry in the region. She stressed the importance of operators proactively integrating responsible gaming practices into their business models, not only to comply with regulations but also to build long-term trust and loyalty among players.

In her discussion, McKee highlighted the ongoing work of the Responsible Gaming Foundation in Bulgaria. The Foundation has been instrumental in supporting operators through these regulatory transitions, offering resources and guidance on implementing responsible gaming measures. Initiatives such as the “On Focus: Responsible Gaming” campaign have been particularly impactful, helping operators align with new regulations while maintaining a focus on player protection.

The panel also explored how similar regulatory frameworks could be effectively adapted across different cultural contexts in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration among regulators, operators, and industry stakeholders to ensure that responsible gaming becomes an integral part of the industry’s growth strategy.

Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Blog, Blog, Blog

Ethical considerations: gambling marketing between legal standards and financial interests

Introduction:

In recent years, the gambling industry has faced increasing scrutiny of its marketing practices, particularly regarding the balance between legal and ethical standards and the pursuit of financial gain. While marketing is essential to increasing revenue and attracting customers, it also raises important questions about responsible gaming and the potential risks associated with excessive or problem gaming behavior. This article highlights the complex interaction between legal and ethical considerations, financial interests and responsible gambling initiatives in the marketing of gambling businesses.

Legal and ethical standards:

Marketing in the gambling business is subject to countless legal regulations and ethical standards designed to protect consumers and promote responsible gambling practices. These regulations vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may include restrictions on advertising content and message targeting, as well as requirements for responsible gambling initiatives and player protection measures. Compliance with these standards is essential to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical principles related to consumer protection and harm minimization.

Responsible Gambling:

Against the background of the difficult balance between legal and ethical standards and financial interests, responsible gambling initiatives play a crucial role in promoting a safer and more sustainable gambling environment. These initiatives encompass a range of strategies aimed at preventing gambling addiction problems, supporting responsible gambling behavior and providing assistance to those affected by addiction-related harm. Key components may include education and awareness campaigns, self-exclusion programs, responsible gambling tools, and support services for individuals seeking help with addiction-related problems. By integrating the principles of responsible gambling into their marketing efforts, gambling operators can demonstrate a commitment to consumer welfare and contribute to the wider goal of reducing gambling-related harm.

Balancing with ethical standards:

Balancing legal requirements, ethical considerations and financial interests is a huge challenge for the gambling industry. Achieving the right balance requires careful attention to regulatory compliance, ethical decision-making and corporate social responsibility. Gambling operators need to adopt a holistic approach to marketing that prioritizes transparency, integrity and accountability while providing added value to customers and driving business growth. By aligning their marketing strategies with responsible gambling objectives, operators can foster trust, loyalty and long-term sustainability in the market.

Conclusion:

In the complex picture of gambling marketing, navigating the intersection of legal and ethical standards with financial interests requires a nuanced and multifaceted approach. By embracing the principles of responsible gambling and integrating them into their marketing strategies, gambling operators can maintain ethical standards, comply with regulatory requirements and promote positive consumer outcomes. The pursuit of financial gain must be balanced with a commitment to social responsibility and the well-being of individuals and communities affected by gambling risks.

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