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

BEGE Awards 2024 support the cause of the “Responsible Gaming” Foundation

This year, the prestigious BEGE Awards in the gaming industry will focus on social responsibility, highlighting responsible gaming as the main theme of the event. Through this gesture, the organisers of the BEGE Expo and the accompanying EEGS conference aim to raise awareness of the importance of responsible behaviour and support existing initiatives in this area, such as those of the “Responsible Gaming” Foundation.

During the awards ceremony, a charity raffle with prizes will be held, and guests will be able to purchase tickets. Funds raised from the raffle will be allocated to projects and programs that promote and support best practices for responsible gaming in Bulgaria. This includes educational campaigns, resources to prevent problem gambling, and support for organisations working towards the industry’s sustainable development.

The BEGE Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the gaming sector in Europe. It also demonstrates the industry’s commitment to a socially responsible approach.

Posted on Author otgovornaigra Categories Uncategorized

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 News

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 Blog

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 Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Blog, 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.

1 2 3 … 8