Player protection with internet gambling Jamie Wiebe Ph

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 : www. screwu. com Here’s what you need to know to reel them in and get them hooked!

Marketing Plan 1. 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

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

Now that’s business the Madoff and Gekko way!

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

Industry Growth n Internet gaming revenue has grown from $2. 2 billion in 2000 to $15. 2 billion in 2006 (Christiansen Capital Advisors) n 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) n n

Variations in Internet Gambling Sites n Scope n Consumers n Types of gambling activities n 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 n Legal measures n Licensing measures n Market concerns n Checks and balances n Voluntary standards n

Player Safety

Policies and Procedures n Availability n Content n Current

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

Site Features n Free “practice” sites n Bonuses n Multiple Accounts

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

Access to Money n Payment methods n Deposit limits n Payout methods

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

Problem Gambling n Risks n Risk assessment

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

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

Stop smelling the roses. ITS TIME TO DO MORE!