A real Dutch treat: problem gambling and responsible gaming Pieter Remmers Lausanne, March 2005

What are we talking about ? Games of skill / chance Problem Gambling Recent Trends Responsible Gaming Company Policy

Why do we gamble? A chance to win respect/honour Play Entertainment Availability A chance to win money A part of the culture Provides action Provides escape A form of problem solving Attractive environments

Games of skill versus Games of chance The characteristics should always be looked at in the way they are mixed and interact. in this process, it may happen that some characteristics of one and the same game rather indicate towards a game of chance, and others towards a game of skill.

Games of chance; the risks Illusion of control Absence of effective regulation Lack of information Low access threshold Short odd long odd games Vulnerable risk-groups Neuro-biological aspect

Terminology 1.Non problem gamblers 2.At-risk gamblers 3.Problem gamblers 4.Pathological gamblers

Instruments DSM-4 SOGS NODS Social indicators 25 % of net disposable income

Pathological gambling Preoccupation Increasing amounts of money Unsuccessful efforts to control or stop Escaping problems Chasing losses Lies Illegal acts Risk or lost relationship, job etc Bail out

Risk Factors for increase of PG Continuous games Accessibility Easy use Rapid event frequency Quickly reinvested winnings Easy accessible money

Risk Factors for increase of PG Lack of information Increased social accessibility Lack of education Low outlays and variable stakes Appeal of technology

What is Responsible Gaming? Polices and practices to prevent and reduce harm of gambling

No risk Low risk Moderate risk High Risk Problem Gamblers Who should be targeted?

Four strategies to promote RG Environment of the product Awareness through public education Staff education / training Awareness through software tools

Context of policy Licensing, technical operation Privacy Audit and inspections Credit gambling Money laundering Taxation Age verification Customer led time limits

Context of policy Reality checks within game play Customer led spend limits Player exclusions Third party complaints Training and support of staff Links to problem gambling information and warnings about the risks associated Advertising Player manipulation Improved customer information - time, odds and financial records

Recent trends U.K. Sweden Germany The Netherlands Switzerland

Effectiveness of the problem gambling prevention policy of Holland Casino CVO, University of Utrecht, 2001

Casino visits in 1998 Total visits Total visitors –1 - 3 times a year88% – times a year 11,7% –>104 times a year 0,3 % –Total number of visitors, visiting twice a week or more:6000

Problems ? SOGS 5+ screening (based on DSM-III-R criteria on pathological gambling) 5% After weighing 2,2% Based on 1,8 million visitors in 1998: +/ visitors (SOGS 5+) After renewed weighing (Bayes) according to DSM-III-R: +/ visitors

Is the RGP policy known? 47% knows about it After weighing: 36% More frequent visitors have a better knowledge of the existence of the RGP policy.

Conclusions and recommendations Knowledge of policy & measures is reasonably good; gets better with higher frequency of visits. Signaling and approaching is essential part of the policy. Guests appreciate that. Frequency of visits as objective signal- indicator  2x a week: –Guests with a lower frequency are having problems too. –Also include change(s) in frequency pattern.

Approaching the guest

Span RGP policy: 60% not captured –Increase profile of RGP policy –Improve signaling and approaching –Clear protocol of RGP practice Effect protective measures (LV and EB) –Effect most temporarily –Motivation of guest is crucial –More attention for motivational techniques in RGP training sessions Conclusions and recommendations

Relation with addiction specialists –Protective measure is more effective when combined with any form of professional support or treatment. Conclusions and recommendations

Prevention –Protective measures –Age limit (18) –Mission Statement –RGP training sessions –Brochure ‘Risks of the game’ –Low stake games –Visitor registration system Conclusions and recommendations

PUBLIC * General * Gamblers * All *At risk GOVERNEMENT * Regulation * Tax Income * Elections INDUSTRY * Public Image * Most economical strategy * Competitive edge RESEARCH INSTITUTES * Scientific exploration & development of a relatively new domain PREVENTION & TREATMENT PROFESSIONALS * Quality improvement services * Development of methodology and skills * Lower threshold to services

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Site – Home page We care... PokerRoom.com supports Responsible Gaming Strong over 18 only policy Link to Responsible Gaming information and resources

Self-Help Face to FaceHot Line Self-Exclusion / limited visits CASINO Brochures, Posters, Mail Shots Staff Training Empirical Research Outpatient Counseling Education - Staff, Customers, & Public Or legislative framework in place? In-Patient Treatment Preventive and Curative measures