Bigger and Better Worldwide Safer Gambling Initiatives in 2023

Responsible gambling initiatives are important for players, casinos, and regulators. Let’s take a look at the latest safer gambling updates from around the world and how they’ll affect playing online in 2023. 

 Malta

The MGA has amended certain aspects of its Player Protection Directive requiring licenced operators to monitor specific “markers of harm” when introducing procedures to detect and address problem gambling. Once detected, the licensee must take appropriate steps to address the issue or prevent it from further developing. A wholly responsible response is demanded. 

Markers include:

✓ Amount and frequency of deposits

✓ Multiple payment methods

✓ Reversal of withdrawals

B2C licensees are also obligated to continuously monitor increased levels of user complaints and the use of responsible gaming tools. There are also new standards regarding ongoing staff training with respect to employees dealing with responsible gambling matters, including possible intervention.  

Other aspects include a visible monetary balance available to punters at all times and that operators have full access to players’ gambling history, including withdrawals, deposits, wins and losses for the preceding 6 months. Pop-up messages are needed to alert players at certain intervals when the auto-spin feature is used in games.

These are some of the measures introduced to ensure Malta remains a reputable region where the highest standards of responsible gambling are upheld.

 United Kingdom

The UKGC has introduced new rules governing online gambling operators to better protect users at risk of harm, effective September 2022.

These rules demand that operators diligently:

✓ Monitor a range of indicators to identify possible gambling harm.

✓ Flag such indicators and take specific preventative action immediately.

✓ Implement automated systems.

✓ Prevent the advertising and uptake of new bonuses for those identified as being at risk.

✓ Evaluate their continued interactions with consumers with respect to possible problem gambling.

✓ Present evidence thereof to the Gambling Commission routinely.

These new rules were implemented as a result of extensive consultation on the issue of responsible gambling and the prevention of gambling harm to consumers.

 Sweden

In January 2022, the Swedish government proposed strengthening gambling regulation primarily, but not solely, for the protection of consumers. The new rules came into effect on 1 January 2023. This was also to prevent the most concerning problem in Swedish gambling institutions, that of match fixing by criminal entities. 

The new proposals are also intended to prevent operators from aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns aimed at vulnerable consumers and to exclude illegal operators from the market. 

The Swedish government is introducing new rules under the jurisdiction of the Swedish Gambling Authority to prevent dishonest and unscrupulous gambling operators from drawing at-risk consumers into gambling addiction. The government has also proposed making more consumer data available to licenced operators regarding players and their gambling habits to prevent gambling-related harm.

 Belgium

Belgium’s government has approved a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising over the following 5 years in a bid to curb problem gambling and protect vulnerable punters. 

The ban will be gradually rolled out, covering all manner of advertising from radio, television, print and online advertising to the hugely marketable team sponsorships engaged in by all gambling franchises, which will fully cease to exist by January of 2028. 

This is seen as a controversial step in promoting responsible gambling, and several other European gambling markets are considering the same drastic measure. In October 2022, Belgium also introduced new rules that obligated locally licenced online gambling operators to enforce a weekly player deposit limit of 200. 

 Germany

The German regulatory body (GGL) regulates operators and the gambling industry. Its main objective is to protect players, promote responsible gaming, and prevent problem gambling. 

Player restrictions in Germany are the following:

✓ €1000 per month deposit limit.

✓ €1 stake limit on online casino slots.

✓ No live casino games or progressive slots are allowed.

✓ Reduced sports betting opportunities as live betting is not permitted.

Wide-ranging measures have been implemented in all these regions for the promotion of responsible gambling practices and a safer industry for the benefit of all.