Yuliya Khrenova
Legal and Compliance Officer
Online gaming is the most profit-making segment in the gaming industry today worldwide and this is especially true of the Canadian market. The Canadian market is expanding year-on-year making gambling the major industry and contributor to the?Canadian?economy. In fact, the gaming market in Canada is estimated to be worth $15 billion which means that gaming is the largest industry of?Canada’s?economy!
The industry growth is driven by the extreme popularity of gambling among Canadians. A 2020 survey of Canadian gaming audiences found that 61 percent of Canada nationals aged 34 on average participated in gaming activities. Statistics says that most of the money is spent on slots, followed by lottery tickets and card games, such as?blackjack?and poker. Unfortunately, these statistics do not include sports betting, however this business vertical is also extremely popular in Canada.
Speaking about industry statistics by province, it’s worth mentioning that gambling participation in?Quebec?is around 66%, while in Ontario it reaches 83%. Out of CA$17.3 billion that the Canadian gambling industry generated in 2017, 43% was generated in Ontario. No wonder; Ontario is leading the development of the online gambling industry in the country. Ontario became the first province to run a private market for iGaming and sports betting on April 4.
Establishing of a regulated iGaming?market?in Ontario province will ensure that the Ontario nationals will get access to safe and legal?gambling. According to the survey, many Canadians are in a denial with problem gambling or feel like they can’t stop even if they wanted to. A small 2% off all gamblers in Canada admitted to having occasionally thought about themselves as problem gamblers. 15% of respondents never thought they were being excessive with their gambling activities.?Lottery is so widespread that most people don’t even consider it gambling. The Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario reports an estimated 3.2% of Canadians experience gambling addiction.
Responsible Gaming is a key priority of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Licensed operators must ensure that gaming is provided in a safe and secure environment and promotes Responsible Gaming. The requirements are outlined in the AGCO Registrants’ Standards for Internet Gaming. iGaming Ontario (iGO) is the subsidiary corporation of AGCO and must ensure that all iGaming sites licenced in Ontario have strong?player protections and responsible gaming?requirements.
iGaming Ontario (iGO) is also a reporting entity under Section 5 of the PCMLTF. It’s responsible for implementing the AML Compliance Program and overseeing certain day-to-day activities it has outsourced to operators. iGO provides guidance on player identification, transaction monitoring and regulatory reporting to the operators and is accountable for meeting the regulatory requirements under the PCMLTFA.
For candidate training, contact us at?[email protected]
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]]>The post How Kindred’s PS-EDS Responsible Gaming System Actually Works appeared first on iGaming Academy.
]]>Renowned as a leader in the field of responsible gambling, Kindred has recently made a step-change in its RG performance. As reported in iGaming Business earlier this year, uptake of its RG tools has improved almost across the board going into 2022.
In fact, the company has set itself on an ambitious path to earning zero revenue from gambling harm in 2023.
Kindred’s success – and its growing confidence – in the RG field can largely be attributed to a system it calls PS-EDS, or “Player Safety – Early Detection System”. Introduced in 2018, PS-EDS has improved both the efficiency and the effectiveness of Kindred’s RG activities.
So, how does it actually work?
In a recent webinar hosted by iGaming Academy – available to watch in full online – Maris Catania, Kindred’s Head of Responsible Gaming & Research, shared the secrets behind PS-EDS and its success.
Foundations: Psychological Tools And Original Research
The first secret of Kindred’s success isn’t a secret at all. PS-EDS is based on original research conducted by the company. Instead of keeping it to themselves, Kindred published the full report freely for all to see (find it here: Applying the DSM-5 Criteria For Gambling Disorder to Online Gambling Account-Based Tracking Data: An Empirical Study Utilizing Cluster Analysis [Published by Maris Catania and Mark D Griffiths].)
In the report, the authors take a global standard measure of mental health disorders (‘DSM’ is the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’) and apply it to specific cases within online gambling, utilising Kindred’s significant access to player and activity data.
The DSM outlines numerous behaviours that, if four or more are displayed, may indicate a gambling disorder. The behaviours include: preoccupation; tolerance; withdrawal; loss of control; escapism; chasing; lying, risked significant relationships; bailout.
Catania and Griffiths performed a cluster analysis and mapped the DSM behaviours against activity they could track within Kindred’s accounts. This provided a robust, research-based model on which to build an operational system.
Building The Algorithm
The next task, explains Catania, was “translating this research into operational reality.”
At the core of PS-EDS is an algorithm which considers 25 risk indicators and grades accounts according to their risk level. It’s about “pinpointing the markers of harm,” says Catania, utilising the insights gleaned from their original results.
The highest risk accounts – priority 1 – are highlighted for immediate intervention. At risk level 2, a moderated level of intervention, both human and automated, is applied. And at the lowest end of the scale, level 3, automation ensures that RG messaging reaches a broader audience as an early intervention measure.
In the webinar, Catania demonstrates how the system works with an example account. Registered in 2007, this customer was flagged by PS-EDS in 2018 for three reasons: change in pattern of behaviour; velocity of transactions; and increases after losses. An onsite message was triggered, after which the customer self-regulated and returned to normal behaviour.
The same customer was flagged again in 2019, and this time was deemed a higher risk. As a result, Kindred’s RG team stepped in to issue a personalised communication. Again, the individual self-regulated and was ultimately retained as a loyal customer.
PS-EDS is a system that’s built on solid research, but that is also designed to fit seamlessly within Kindred’s operational systems.
Kindred’s Results: Safer, Better Operations
The vast majority of those gambling online do so for fun. The field of responsible gaming is concerned with identifying the small percentage of customers at risk of harm.
The PS-EDS system has been critical in enabling Kindred to lead the market in the responsible gaming field.
In 2019, the company contacted over 40,000 customers with its RG messaging. It recognises behavioural change in 80% of detected customers.
There’s good business sense in this proactive approach to RG. Not only is Kindred minimising its exposure to regulatory risk, but in fact it is also building relationships of trust with its customer base.
Customers contacted as a result of PS-EDS detection often become even more loyal long term. “When we started PS-EDS,” shares Catania, “we saw a reduction in people self-excluding, but actually an increase in people using limits.”
PS-EDS will be central to Kindred’s mission to completely eliminate revenue from gambling harm by 2023. It’s an inspiring example of how academic research, smart technology and operational efficiency can come together to improve outcomes for both the business and its customers.
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To learn more about Kindred’s PS-EDS, watch the full webinar for free here: Watch Now
The post How Kindred’s PS-EDS Responsible Gaming System Actually Works appeared first on iGaming Academy.
]]>By Yuliya Khrenova
Legal & Compliance Officer
The Spanish are a nation of brave, passionate, adventurous people. The Spanish gamble more than most of their European neighbours. According to recent research, in 2020-2021 the percentage of the Spanish population that participated in gambling activities was the highest in Europe, with a total of 65.9% of men and 61.2% of women. On the other hand, only 9.1% of the men surveyed gambled online and only 4.2% of women did.
The latest estimates show the Spanish gamble well over €1.9 billion a year, which divided by population is around €480 per person, or approximately 15% of the average net household income. Lotteries, football and racing pools, bingo, slot machines, online casino games and the big jai-alai games are among the most popular products the Spanish choose.
Spanish passion for gambling could easily grow into an unhealthy obsession on the national level, if not for the strict market regulation and problem gambling prevention measures. The gambling regulatory environment in Spain includes problem gambling prevention as a section of social responsibility for operators. One of the requirements for operators is to comply with all the?legal and technical requirements?established by the law, including Royal Decrees, Ministerial Orders and Resolutions of the Directorate General for the Regulation on Gambling, to guarantee?safe gambling.
Operators must offer all players responsible gaming tools to restrict their participation in games or self-exclude. Some of the tools are mandatory and consistent for all providers, while others are made available to all players but are not mandatory for a player to set. Additionally, the DGOJ has been developing?various advertising co-regulation agreements??and is working on the development of a future regulation on advertising and responsible gaming with the basic purpose of protecting customers, especially minors and other vulnerable people.
Apart from social responsibility, operators must comply with the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and the Spanish Criminal Code to keep the financial crime out of gambling. Strong due diligence rules, transparent payment options and transaction monitoring procedures are the main measures of customer protection.
iGaming Academy is now offering Anti-Money Laundering and Responsible Gambling training tailored specifically for the Spanish market.
Contact us to find out more
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by Lara Gail Dougall
Senior Content Manager
As a trainer who has worked in education for nearly a decade, I’m always hesitant about sitting for new courses. Working in training has taken away from my experience as a learner. Mostly because I genuinely enjoy creating and delivering content, so much so that my training expectations have become quite high.
Prioritising my own learning and development is important to me; the mind is a muscle and it’s important to keep it active. So, knowing this, I pushed myself and I registered for iGaming Academy’s virtual training on Responsible Gaming delivered by Maris Catania.
The sessions took place over 2 days, starting at 4.30pm and finishing just shy of 8pm. Putting work tasks on hold was challenging, especially when my workload is demanding, and I didn’t decide without some hesitation. In the end I just suppressed those nagging thoughts and went for it!
Sticking to social distancing rules, I attended the virtual classroom which meant that travel time and parking stress were inexistent. All I needed was my (average) internet connection, my laptop, and a strong cup of coffee. I did miss the cookies we would have been offered in a physical classroom, otherwise, a virtual set up helped me ease into the idea of meeting new people again, after long months of working remotely.
The course was surprisingly refreshing and got me thinking of the benefits that this set up offers. Here are my top 6 benefits for virtual classrooms from what I’ve experienced:
- It gave me a very different perspective to a topic which I was already familiar with.
- The level of detail is dependent on the needs of the group as the training progresses.
- Training sessions were captivating and dynamic; our trainer led activities challenged me to think of the scenarios presented to the group.
- The live course allowed us to interact by asking questions, share experiences, and discuss best practice.
- The virtual classroom enabled us to network with industry professionals, an activity which boosts our own profile and gets our names out there.
- Finally, by keeping up to date with industry trends, we as learners stay relevant and retain our value in this business sector.
Continuous learning requires self-motivation and persistence to develop new competencies. Ultimately it is a necessary exercise to expand our skillset, especially in such a fast-paced industry, all in an effort to avoid stagnation and develop new opportunities. This will help you gain more confidence and inspire new ideas in your team and business. But don’t take my word for it, because of course, I’m biased, so why don’t you register for a course yourself.
Here is a list of all the virtual classrooms we offer. We have limited availability left for our next two virtual masterclasses, which are the:
Book your space now to avoid disappointment!
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]]>by Gabriella Rizzo, iGaming Academy
iGaming Academy provides safer gambling training for land-based and online operators worldwide. The training offered by iGaming Academy covers the full range of safer gambling topics, including:
Player Verification
Our Responsible Gaming and KYC training courses introduce employees to the principles and practical steps involved in customer verification and prevention of underaged gambling. Our training ensures all gaming employees know their responsibilities around KYC and understand its importance in ensuring customer safety and mitigating harmful activity.
Problem Gambling Assistance
Courses are available for both land-based and online operators, training learners to spot the signs of problem gambling and take the necessary action to mitigate harm.
Problem Gambling Safeguards
All our courses include clear guidance on guarding against problem gambling and responsible gambling tools, including deposit and time limits, self-exclusion, and time-out facilities. ?Responsible advertising blocks ensure the marketing and advertising activities are carried out in line with social responsibility requirements.
CRM
We provide specialist training on CRM Management that includes clear guidance on mitigating problem gambling, and showing how an effective CRM program can be conducted safely.
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Effective Training For Gaming Operators
iGaming Academy provides safer gambling, regulatory compliance and job skills training for land-based and online operators worldwide. Connect with us today.
The post How We Are Training Employees To Provide Safer Gambling appeared first on iGaming Academy.
]]>by Charles Harper
Our impact on customer safety is sizeable; we train over 40,000 professionals every year on topics including Responsible Gambling, Anti-Money Laundering, CRM and KYC, with training content for employees of all levels.
iGaming Academy will make significant advancements in the area of safer gambling provision in 2021, including:
EVOLVING REGULATION
As regulation shifts and evolves, we’re partnering closely with key organisations to ensure our training is ready to support businesses. By developing training content in line with evolving regulation, we ensure customer safety is prioritised with minimal requirement for active scrutiny.
THE ONLINE SKILLS SHORTAGE?
Demand for professionals with online gaming experience far outstrips supply. Our range of specialist training courses support land-based and emerging online providers to train staff effectively and ensure their knowledge of online safer gambling is clear.
AUDITS & INVESTIGATIONS
We anticipate that audits and investigations into safer gambling practices will increase significantly over the coming months and years. We support clients to demonstrate their proactive approach to compliance – iGaming Academy is committed to supporting operators worldwide.
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Interested In Our Roadmap?
Get in touch today to learn more about our evolving training course portfolio and services.
The post Our 2021 Roadmap: How We’re Solving Industry Challenges appeared first on iGaming Academy.
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