Player protection with internet gambling

Jamie Wiebe, Ph.DFactz Research Inc./Responsible Gambling CouncilBanff Conference on Internet GamblingMarch 27, 2009

Let’s start an online gambling site : www.screwu.com

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

Jurisdiction Number of Sites Tier

Malta 291 1

Gibraltar 183 1

United Kingdom 97 1

Alderney 66 1

Kahnawake 302 2

Netherlands Antilles 269 2

Antigua & Barbuda 115 2

Costa Rica 234 3

Belize 35 3

Panama 32 3

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

TimeMoney

Play historyAccess to transactionsWins/losses over timeTime/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!