4.1 Reality Checks

It is vital that, where the operator allows continuous and rapid gambling/betting without a reasonable break, there should be mechanisms implemented that help the player to monitor their losses so they can make conscious decisions as to whether to stop or continue.

The operator provides opportunities to the player, to take note of the passage of time. This may be done by providing a clock or digital time display. The operator may also choose to implement other methods of providing reality checks to the customer related to the passage of time.

The currency unit of the stake should be clearly displayed on the current account balance and should not be converted to a credit system.

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4.2 Informed choice

The operator provides a variety of information to assist players in making informed decisions about their gambling including the:

• chances (probability) of winning on the activity

• pay-out ratios of the game

• price structures of the game

• presence of a Personalised Player Feedback System (recommended)

 

There is also an implicit assumption that all games will be fair and designed in such a way to protect the players.

Upon registration, the operator provides the player the option to set limits on time, money and winnings or losses. In the case of an already established cooperation between the company (auditee) and G4, the company is provided one year in order to comply.

 

4.3 Player led session limits

To assist the player in controlling their gambling/betting and protecting against the possibility of continuous and rapid gambling without a break, the player should have the option of setting a session duration limit. This limit will determine how long the player will be able to gamble/bet until a break is enforced. This should apply to any form of gambling that involves continuous gambling.
 

1. The player should be able to set the session time limit as a default for all sessions.

2. If a session duration limit is not set by the player, then a default of four hours should be the maximum default time for all players.

3. When the session duration has expired and, on completion of the last stake, a message should appear to inform the player that their time has elapsed and if they wish to continue, they will have to re-enter the site from the log-in screen or re-enter via another measure that is available. At that point they should have to acknowledge the message by clicking on it. The screen will then close, and the player will be brought back into the site’s menu screen, so they have to log-in if they wish to continue. This process should take no less than 10 seconds.

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4.4 Player led deposit limits

Operators are able to provide limits on player deposits and vary those limits on an individual basis. Operators should also provide the ability for the player to determine their own deposit limits.

1. Sites should provide options for setting limits on player deposits per day, per week and/or per month and/or any other reasonable period of time that the operator and G4 have agreed on or in accordance to regulatory requirements.

2. When a player reaches their previously set limit the operator will be responsible for ensuring that no other stakes are accepted.

3. The player can only increase his previously set limit once a cooling off period of at least 24 hours has elapsed. The increase in deposit limit must not take place for 24 hours up to 7 days. However, he should be able to decrease the limit with immediate effect.

 

4.5 Cooling-off and Self-Exclusion

The player should be able to exclude himself from making any gamble/bet on a site/venue.

1. The site should provide a cooling off period for a minimum of 24 hours up to 7 days.

2. The period of self-exclusion must be as an absolute minimum of one month. However, it is advised to offer a variety of standards/measures related to the length of the self-exclusion period (tailormade).

3. Information regarding the self-exclusion policy and process must be clearly explained within the responsible gambling/player protection page.

4. Once a player has excluded himself from the site, the following must occur:

   1. Any stakes placed on future events should be cancelled and refunded where possible and reasonable. Should such cancellation of stakes contradict either operator’s policy or legislation in place, any winnings must be paid out by operator.

   2. The player must be taken off any mailing lists they have subscribed to om the operator’s/supplier’s site and their database record should be flagged to prohibit mail outs/promotions during the self-exclusion period.

   3. The confirmation email on the successful registration in the self-exclusion scheme contains information on local or national support schemes such as for example treatment centres, counselling services or self-help groups.

5. In the event of a third party making the application for an exclusion, such a party must, in the opinion of operator’s appointed officer that is responsible for the responsible gambling programme, be “a person who has a close personal interest in the welfare of the person for whom the prohibition is sought”.

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4.6 Exclusion of specific products

To assist the player in controlling their gambling/betting and protecting against uncontrollable losses, players are offered to block access to specific gambling products.

 

4.7 Identifying problem gambling behaviour

When the operator identifies signs of problem gambling behaviour, they will take relevant steps to investigate and satisfy any concerns.

Possible indications might include, but are not limited to, comments via chat room, email contact, conversations with employees/staff members, number of plays, repeatedly increase their gambling/betting limits.

It is advised to implement an alcohol and drug policy. When the operator identifies signs, they will take relevant steps to investigate and satisfy any concerns.

 

4.8 Alcohol and Drug policy for players/guests

When applicable, it is advised that an alcohol and drug policy is made available to customers.