Analyzing Consumer Protection for Gamblers Across Different Online Gambling Operators: A Replication Study

Online gambling is a growing business with many stakeholders. Due to the fact that a small proportion of gamblers develop problems, responsible gambling (RG), player protection, and harm minimization have become core areas for gambling regulators. The present study replicated a previous one carried out by Bonello and Griffiths in 2017 to determine whether there had been any significant changes by leading gambling operators due to increased regulatory pressures over the past few years. Fifty leading online gambling operators were audited in relation to their RG practices as well as engaging with their customer services by posing as a problem gambler. Results indicated that overall RG practices appeared to have improved in the past 3 years based on the information in dedicated RG webpages, the increase in RG tool availability, and the communication with customer services. Despite the fact that RG practices appear to have improved, there were still areas for improvement.

The Effect of Mandatory Play Breaks on Subsequent Gambling Behavior Among Norwegian Online Sports Betting, Slots and Bingo Players: A Large-scale Real World Study

In order to protect gamblers, gambling operators have introduced a wide range of responsible gambling (RG) tools. Mandatory play breaks (i.e., forced termination of a gambling session) and personalized feedback about the gambling expenditure are two RG tools that are frequently used. While the motivation behind mandatory play breaks is simple (i.e., gambling operators expect gamblers to reduce their gambling significantly as a result of an enforced break in play), empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of the mandatory breaks is still limited. The present study comprised a real-world experiment with the clientele of Norwegian gambling operator Norsk Tipping. On the Norsk Tipping gambling website, which offers slots, bingo and sports-betting, forced termination occurs if gamblers have played continuously for a one-hour period. The study tested the effect of different lengths of mandatory play breaks (90 s, 5 min, 15 min) on subsequent gambling behavior, as well as the effect of combined personalized feedback concerning money wagered, won, and net win/loss. In total 21,129 online players (61% male; mean age = 47.4 years) experienced at least one play break between April 17 and May 21 (2020) with 156,989 mandatory play breaks in total. Results indicated that a 15-min mandatory play break led to a disproportionately longer voluntary play pause compared to 5-min and 90-s mandatory play breaks. Personalized feedback appeared to have no additional effect on subsequent gambling and none of the mandatory play breaks appeared to affect the increase or decrease in money wagered once players started to gamble again.

Analysing the Twitter accounts of licensed Sports gambling operators in Spain: a space for responsible gambling?

Apart from the economic impact of the online gambling industry, the social, public order and health-related consequences of the industry merit analysis to inform appropriate action, regulatory or otherwise. The omnipresence of ICTs, the inability to use technologies properly, along with the growth of online gambling channels, have acted simultaneously as a catalyst for the spread of pathological and problematic gambling. In this context, social networks have become a highly effective platform to instil positive attitudes towards the products of gambling operators. This work uses the Natural Language Processing based web application “GPLSI Social Analytics” to track, in real time, the conversations generated on Twitter about the Spanish domain accounts of the main online sports gambling operators. The findings indicate that most of the messages about these operators are positive and surprise is the predominant emotion associated with them. The notion of responsible online gambling barely receives a mention in the conversations analysed. Given the role of new technologies as access facilitators and potential enhancers of addictive behaviours, it is necessary to adopt measures directed at social networks that guarantee the coexistence of the right to freedom of expression with the protection of the most vulnerable populations.

Revenue Associated With Gambling-Related Harm as a Putative Indicator for Social Responsibility: Results From the Swiss Health Survey

Gambling behaviours represent a significant social and economic cost and an important public health problem. A putative index for monitoring gambling-related harm is a concentration of spending indicator that reports the proportion of gambling revenue derived from problem gambling. Using this indicator, we aimed to provide a first estimate of the proportion of gambling revenue associated with gambling-related harm in Switzerland according to the Swiss Health Survey. Data were obtained from the Swiss Health Survey 2017. The National Opinion Research Centre Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Loss of Control, Lying and Preoccupation (NODS-CLiP) screening tool was used as part of the questionnaire, and the study findings were evaluated to determine the prevalence of gambling-related harm. Self-reported spending on terrestrial and online gambling (including gaming tables, electronic gaming machines, lotteries, sports betting) during the past 12 months was then used to calculate the portion of gambling revenue derived from players experiencing harm. A total of 12,191 respondents were included. Gambling-related harm was reported by 3.10% of our sample, according to NODS-CLiP criteria. The findings showed that although 52% of people experiencing harm spend less than 100 francs per month on gambling, 31.3% of total spending is attributable to gambling-related harm. In addition to pre-existing national prevalence studies, data on spending should be made readily available by gambling operators and regulators, in keeping with their regulatory obligations. The revenue structure, according to gambling type, should also be provided, including data from third-party gambling operators. In an interdisciplinary effort to improve public health and consumer protection, organized national structural prevention measures should be developed and evaluated.

Suomi ja Venäjän rahapelimarkkinat

Rajaseuduille sijoittunut rahapelitoiminta on kansainvälisesti yleistä, mutta Suomessa rahapelien vienti rajojen yli on ollut vähäistä. Käsittelemme tässä artikkelissa Suomesta Venäjälle suuntautunutta rahapelitarjontaa 1990-luvulta tähän päivään aiemman kirjallisuuden ja olemassa olevan tilastoaineiston valossa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on kuvata, millaista rahapelitarjonta Suomesta Venäjälle ja venäläisille on ollut, ja millaiset poliittiset ja taloudelliset seikat ovat vaikuttaneet tähän suhteeseen. Tarkastelu jaksottuu kolmeen ajanjaksoon, jotka liittyvät etenkin venäläisen rahapelijärjestelmän muutoksiin sääntelytasolla, ja suomalaisten rahapelitoimijoiden mahdollisuuksiin. Näitä ovat venäläisten rahapelimarkkinoiden kasvuaika 1990-luvulla, vuoden 2006 rahapeliuudistuksen rajoittama markkinaympäristö ja uusien markkinoiden synty sekä vuoden 2014 jälkeinen aika, johon on liittynyt niin ruplan romahtaminen kuin koronapandemian tuomat haasteet matkailulle Finland and the Russian gambling market Gambling operations in border regions are common internationally, but Finnish cross-border gambling offers have been scarce. This paper discusses how Finnish gambling operators have attempted to access the Russian market since the 1990s, based on previous literature and existing statistical information. The aim is to describe whether and how Finnish actors have exported gambling to Russia or Russians, and what kind of political and economic factors have influenced the commercial relationship. The analysis focuses on three periods determined by regulatory changes in Russian gambling and the related possibilities for the Finnish gambling offer. These are the growth period of the 1990s, the restrictive gambling law of 2006 and the new market environment, and the period starting from 2014 characterised by challenges to tourism and business following the financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Use of Social Media in Research on Gambling: a Systematic Review

Purpose of Review Social media enables a range of possibilities in the way gamblers and gambling operators interact and content communicate with gambling. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise the extant literature to identify the ways in which social media has been investigated in the context of gambling. Recent Findings A systematic review of the literature identified 41 papers that collected primary data pertinent to gambling and social media from multiple disciplines. These papers broadly fell into three themes: communication, community and calculation (of sentiment). Papers on communication focused on the content of gambling advertising on social media and the impact on people exposed to it. Studies of gambling communities studied the activity and structures of discussion groups on social media concerning recreational or problematic gambling. Papers on calculation collated social media data to assess sentiment and compared it against betting odds. Summary There is an emerging multidisciplinary literature that has looked at the use of social media in relation to gambling. There is preliminary evidence that the content and the reach of gambling advertising on social media is a source of concern, particularly for younger people. The themes discussed on gambling support forums appear to be common across communities, focusing on negative emotions, recovery, addictive products and financial support. Using social media to assess sentiment appears to be particularly effective at identifying potential upsets in sporting matches. Future suggestions for research are explored.

Online Gambling in Malaysia: A Legal Analysis

Gambling is a serious issue that comes with wide-reaching social, political, and economic consequences if not tightly monitored by governmental authorities. The advent of technology has provided gambling operators a virtual platform that caters to gamblers over the internet. Malaysian legislation that deals with gambling was drafted before online gambling came about. Malaysia has yet to introduce any amendment to existing legislation to better equip it with sufficiently clear wording and provisions for the purpose of regulating online gambling. The aims of this article are to (1) examine the prevalence of online gambling in Malaysia today and (2) analyze the application of existing legislation to regulate online gambling. In this article, the above aims are analysed from a legal perspective based on a qualitative doctrinal research method involving journal articles, relevant news articles, and Malaysian legislation. The finding of this article establishes that unregulated online gambling is growing into a pressing issue in Malaysia and relevant local legislation needs to be updated to better deal with its challenges. This article is not meant to be an all-encompassing thesis but to serve as an introductory guide into this niche area of the law.

The challenges of countering fraud in Malta’s remote gaming industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of countering fraud in Malta’s remote gaming industry. Design/methodology/approach Six individuals from three major stakeholders in Malta’s remote gaming industry were interviewed for this study. Findings The interviewees report that a multitude of fraudulent activities are present in Malta’s remote gaming industry. This includes identity fraud, credit card fraud, bonus abuse and collusion and chip dumping. Participants indicate that crimes of fraud often go unreported and unrecorded, resulting in a limited evidence base upon which to develop holistic and effective counter-fraud measures. Research limitations/implications The research sample is small, although this study is the first to examine the perspectives of key stakeholders working in one of the world’s largest remote gaming industries. Findings are of relevance to regulated online gambling markets across the globe. Practical implications The study suggests that better intelligence sharing amongst gambling operators and regulators can serve to enhance counter-fraud measures both locally and internationally. Originality/value The reputational and commercial imperative of gambling operators and regulators means that research studies pertaining to the topic of crime in the remote gaming industry that incorporate their perspectives are rare.

The Effects of Responsible Gambling Pop-Up Messages on Gambling Behaviors and Cognitions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pop-up messages utilized by gambling operators are normally presented to gamblers during gambling sessions in order to prevent excessive gambling and/or to help in the appraisal of maladaptive gambling cognitions. However, the effect of such messages on gambling behavior and gambling cognitions has not previously been synthesized quantitatively. Consequently, a meta-analysis estimating the efficacy of pop-up messages on gambling behavior and cognitions was conducted. A systematic literature search with no time constraints was performed on Web of Science, PsychInfo, Medline, PsychNET, and the Cochrane Library. Search terms included “gambling,” “pop-up,” “reminder,” “warning message,” and “dynamic message.” Studies based on randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs and pre-post studies reporting both pre- and post-pop-up data were included. Two authors independently extracted data using pre-defined fields including quality assessment. A total of 18 studies were included and data were synthesized using a random effects model estimating Hedges' g. The effects of pop-ups were g = 0.413 for cognitive measures (95% CI = 0.115–0.707) and g = 0.505 for behavioral measures (95% CI = 0.256–0.746). For both outcomes there was significant between-study heterogeneity which could not be explained by setting (laboratory vs. naturalistic) or sample (gambler vs. non-gamblers). It is concluded that pop-up messages provide moderate effects on gambling behavior and cognitions in the short-term and that such messages play an important role in the gambling operators' portfolio of responsible gambling tools.

Effects on Gambling Activity From Coronavirus Disease 2019—An Analysis of Revenue-Based Taxation of Online- and Land-Based Gambling Operators During the Pandemic

Background: Concerns have been raised about increased gambling problems during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, particularly in settings with high online gambling and risks of migration from land-based to riskier online-based gambling types. However, few non-self-reported data sources are hitherto available. The present study aimed to assess changes in the online- and land-based gambling markets in Sweden during the first months affected by the societal impact of COVID-19.Methods: Data were derived from national authority data describing monthly taxations of all licensed Swedish gambling operators, whose monthly tax payments are directly based on gambling revenue. Subdivisions of the gambling market were followed monthly from before COVID-19 onset in Sweden (mainly February 2020) through June 2020, when the sports market was restarted after COVID-19 lockdown.Results: Overall revenue-based taxations in the licensed gambling decreased markedly from February to March, but stabilized onto an overall modest decrease through June. Commercial online casino/betting, despite some decrease in March, was maintained on a relatively stable level through June. However, within this category, horse betting increased steeply during the pandemic but returned to prepandemic levels later during the period. The state-owned operator in betting/online casino decreased markedly throughout the pandemic. The remaining commercial operators, mainly in online casino and online betting, demonstrated no change during the pandemic and ended on a June level 14% above the February level. Throughout the pandemic, the smaller restaurant casinos decreased markedly, while major state-owned casinos also closed entirely. State-owned lotteries and electronic gambling machines decreased markedly but were rapidly normalized to prepandemic levels.Conclusions: Commercial online gambling operators' revenues remained stable throughout the pandemic, despite the dramatic lockdown in sports. Thus, chance-based online games may have remained a strong actor in the gambling market despite the COVID-19 crisis, in line with previous self-report data. A sudden increase in horse betting during the sports lockdown and its decrease when sports reopened confirm the picture of possible COVID-19-related migration between gambling types, indicating a volatility with potential impact on gambling-related public health.