RGA unveils best-practice guide to tackling problem gambling
New guidelines for operators comes days after the Gambling Commission urged the industry to work together on the issue
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) today published a set of good practice guidelines to help operators develop analytical systems to recognise and tackle problem gambling behaviour.
The new guidelines (see bottom of page) come just days after Gambling Commission CEO Sarah Harrison warned operators they need to collaborate not compete on this type of technology project.
The guide itself draws on the experience of RGA members and recent research, and covers areas such as customer interactions, recording and reporting, staff training and evaluation.
RGA chief executive, Clive Hawkswood, said it was to recognise that data and behavioural analytics were not “silver bullets that will solve all of the problems associated with minimising gambling-related harm online”.
“However, their effective use will increasingly prove vital when seeking to achieve that,” he added.
The RGA also noted the use of data in problem tackling problem gambling was “still in its early days” and would undoubtedly improve with the benefit of additional research and shared learning.
The trade group, which represents the likes of most major online operators, added: “In the meantime we have a collective responsibility to use what we do know, and can do, to the best effect.
“Although many operators already have systems that go far beyond what is described in these guidelines, we hope they will provide a cross-industry benchmark and a sound starting point.”