An Overview of How European Gambling Regulators Protect Casino Players

Gambling activities among the European nations are at the peak despite the gambling problem rate which is about 1.5%. Every country across the globe must take up the task to combat gambling problems that cost lives. The need to ban illegal wagering activities is a call to all authorities. The protection of minors from gambling nightmares is also crucial and should be taken seriously in every continent. All illegal gambling activities should be condemned. The European countries have taken upon the role with boldness to save many. They have achieved this by coming up with the following self-exclusion schemes from gambling in various states;

ROFUS

ROFUS is a register by the Danish Gambling Authority for players to exclude themselves from gambling voluntarily. Players can register using the NemID when they decide to take a break from wagering either temporarily or permanently. DGA controls the register to build its security in protecting the casino players. ROFUS contains the following information;

• Date and time of self-exclusion
• Date when a temporary break from gambling lapse
• Player’s CPR number

The register offers self-exclusion in three ways;

• Cooling-off period- it is usually a brief break from gaming, probably 24 hours or so.
• Temporary self-exclusion- it is when a player excludes him/herself for a period of not less a month and not more than a year.
• Permanent self-exclusion- this is when a player takes a full break from gambling.

For the cool-off period and the temporal self-exclusion, the period is terminated automatically once it expires. In permanent self-exclusion, the player’s gambling account must be shut down and the player relationship cut off. The player can only be able to open a new account after one year from the time they registered with ROFUS. This is only possible when GDA deletes their name from the register. All operators need to be keen on the register. When allowing a new player to open an account with you, you need to check whether their name appears in the register. You are not permitted to open an account for a player in the ROFUS’s register. You are also expected to inform all the players about the register and refer them to DGA’s homepage for them to understand better. As an operator, you cannot do self-exclusion on behalf of the player. If a player is in ROFUS register, deny them access to the wagering site. If casino allows a player in the register to log in, charges apply to an operator or even casino license can be provoked on repeated occasions. Registration on ROFUS is personal and no one can do it for you. This means you take the step in a clear conscience and hence you can’t regret it. The register has helped many players in the EU not to fall into the ditch of addiction. It also helps gambling fans to manage their bankroll effectively and avoid financial problems.

Spelpaus

Spelinspektionen, Swedish gaming regulator came up with the national register, Spelpaus.se.  The policies aim to drastically change gaming in Sweden by protecting players from addiction and financial constraints. This came up after the violation of self-exclusion rules amongst players. Spelpaus realized that players in self-exclusion had access to gaming through AG Communications. 30,00o players spanned their slots through this platform which provided games via its Karamba flagship. The company was found guilty and fined a fee of SEK 3m as well as a warning. As a result, all the gambling companies with a Sweden license needed to join the national self-shutdown scheme and start the application afresh. The operators are required to submit their application to Spelinspektionen and each of them pays a processing fee to the body. Afterward, the body assesses to check if the operator has a moral background and is knowledgeable enough to suit the Sweden gambling market. After getting the certificate, operators need to adhere to certain rules like the strict Sweden rules that mitigate gambling problems, limit bonuses to sign-up only and protect gambling fans from the trap of addiction. Spelpaus also requires online casinos to limit their scope of wagering advertising to protect children and addicts. A tax of 18% on all profits is also imposed on online casinos operating in the Sweden market. Operators who do not adhere to these directives face the law through fines or even license loss. The Sweden authorities are alarmed by the rising uncontrolled gambling rates which are costing many.

CRUKS

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), Dutch gambling watchdog came up with the CRUKS to facilitate self-exclusion from gambling. The Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen (CRUKS) is aimed to protected casino players from wagering nightmares by offering a self-exclusion scheme. Land-based casinos had the priority to test the system on 13th July 2020. Online casinos will also get the chance to integrate the system under the new Remote Gambling Act. CRUKS is expected to start effect by July 2021 in all gaming. But even today in 2020 there are websites which target future interest of casino players, targeting ‘casino’s zonder CRUKS’ keywords they advertise MGA-licensed casinos with no CRUKS protection to players from Netherlands. Players are allowed to register for CRUKS themselves or a family member or an operator can do so for them. The CRUKS Code contains the following player’s details;

• Citizen Service Number (BSN)
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Name

The land-based casino operators are expected to check the register before allowing the player to log into the gambling website. Players can be listed in the register voluntarily or even involuntarily for a period which inhibits them from any form of online betting or wagering. Operators are called upon to intervene if alarming risky gambling behavior like large amounts of bets or long periods of gaming are suspected or even observed. This would help to save people who are sinking into depression due to wagering addiction.

Conclusion

The battle against illegal gambling to protect players is not simple but it is worth fighting. It saves generations by preventing individuals from succumbing to gambling addictions. The wagering authorities, operators, and also players need to hold hands together to overcome the giants. It calls for both individual and social responsibility at the same time. Everybody must not shy away from speaking the ill of irresponsible online gambling.