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.

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.

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.

Responsible Gaming Foundation supports National Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Helpline

The long-term initiative is launched as a part of the foundation’s participation in the European Safer Gambling Week

Foundation “Responsible Gaming” provides funding to the National Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Helpline. This line is supported by a team of psychologists from the Association for Rehabilitation of Addicted People “Solidarnost”. This funding is one of the initiatives that the Foundation will realize during the European Safer Gambling Week from 17th to 23rd of October, an event organized by the European Gaming Betting Association.

“Supporting the National Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Helpline is of great importance to the foundation because our aim is to be as helpful as possible to the people in need. For maximum efficiency, callers should know that the line is free and anonymous. We believe that with this action we are creating proper conditions for the experts to solve problems in time. We will continue support such initiatives, exchange good practices and address new cases towards the psychologists” said Milena Tsnakarska, executive director of Responsible Gaming Foundation.

The National Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Helpline provides several options for prevention and treatment. At the beginning the specialists carefully examine every specific situation and they pay special attention to the family environment. Assistance is provided for both the people seeking help and their relatives.

The anonymity of any caller is guaranteed unless the person himself requests otherwise. You can contact the experts from the Association for Rehabilitation of Addicted People “Solidarnost” at +359888 99 18 66, free of charge from across the country.

Good practices in responsible gaming

The Responsible Gaming Foundation advices

Gambling is a fun experience and another way of having a good time. However, a certain percentage of people who play can become addicted to gambling and that could cause some problems and to decrease their quality of life.

That’s why all licensed gaming operators invest so much of their time, efforts and money in responsible gaming and in good practices for early prevention and treatment of addiction problems. In fact, this is one of the main priorities of Responsible Gaming Foundation which was founded in 2015.

It is important to say that gambling is not always addictive. Some people which due to official statistics are less than 4% of those who play, has such problem. Responsible Gaming Foundation has a team of professionals who can help to those who are addicted.

What are good practices for responsible gaming?

  • Explain which is a propriate and realistic gambling behavior;
  • Educate gaming facility employees how to recognize the customers with gambling problems and to the customers itself – how gambling works, including information about random number generator;
  • Encourage the gamblers to play safe and to set limits and budget;
  • Inform the customers about all signs for gambling problems;
  • Increase the information about all self-control and self-exclusion tools;
  • Encourage the customers to search for help and support from Responsible Gaming Foundation in case of a problem.

The Responsible Gaming Foundation’s recommendations for good practices to follow:

  • Set up time limit for play and stick to it;
  • Set up money limit and always stick to it;
  • Bet just for fun;
  • Accept loss as a part of the game;
  • Don’t borrow money for gambling;
  • Don’t let the gambling to harm your relationship with family, friends or work;
  • Don’t gamble to give back your losses;
  • Don’t gamble to cope with emotional of physical pain.

The Responsible Gaming Foundation advices:

  • Only gamble with the licensed gambling operators who have all the needed instruments for responsible gaming among which are time or money limits;
  • Control your emotions and know when to stop. When you are stressed or worried you make impulsive decisions. And those is a really bad situation when it comes to gambling;
  • Don’t compromise your judgement – always carefully consider your next step.

Online and land-based gaming operators invest a lot in gambling addiction prevention and such organizations like Responsible Gaming Foundation are doing the best they can to support people with gambling problems by referring them to relevant professionals and programs. For more information go to https://otgovorna-igra.com/bg/.