Player protection with internet gambling Jamie Wiebe, Ph.D Factz Research Inc./ Responsible Gambling Council Banff Conference on Internet Gambling March 27, 2009

Let’s start an online gambling site : Here’s what you need to know to reel them in and get them hooked!

Marketing Plan 1. Advertise, advertise, advertise to anyone that has internet access anywhere

Customer Base 2. Welcome everyone and anyone to play on the sites

Product Development 3. Bend over backwards for your player – make account registration fast and easy

Product Development Continued 4. Games need to be fun, fast and captivating – give the illusion that the player is in control

Revenue 5. Take money any way you can get it

Be deceptive No restrictions Keep it simple Ignorance is bliss! Core Values

Now that’s business the Madoff and Gekko way!

Background Industry growth Variation in internet gambling sites Regulatory structure Components of effective regulation

Industry Growth Internet gaming revenue has grown from $2.2 billion in 2000 to $15.2 billion in 2006 (Christiansen Capital Advisors) Revenues are projected to reach $24 billion in 2010 (Christiansen Capital Advisors) As of January 2008, there were a total of 2,132 online gambling sites (Monaghan) 76 jurisdictions offer some form of online gaming license (gamblinglicenses.com)

Variations in Internet Gambling Sites Scope Consumers Types of gambling activities Regulatory structures

Regulatory Structures JurisdictionNumber of SitesTier Malta2911 Gibraltar1831 United Kingdom971 Alderney661 Kahnawake3022 Netherlands Antilles2692 Antigua & Barbuda1152 Costa Rica2343 Belize353 Panama323

Components of Effective Regulation Social responsibility Legal measures Licensing measures Market concerns Checks and balances Voluntary standards

Player Safety

Policies and Procedures Availability Content Current

Advertising & Promotion New recruits  Minors  Illegal markets Existing players  Incentives to play

Site Features Free “practice” sites Bonuses Multiple Accounts

Game Features Speed of play Near misses Betting limits Passage of time

Access to Money Payment methods Deposit limits Payout methods

Informed Decision Making Setting limits  Time  Money Play history  Access to transactions  Wins/losses over time  Time/money played

Problem Gambling Risks Risk assessment

Problem Gambling Support Self-exclusion Links to support sites  Local  International

Player Safety Principles Promote breaks Don’t mislead Promote informed decision making Don’t ignore problems Integrated policies and procedures Limit access to money

Stop smelling the roses. ITS TIME TO DO MORE!