When checking the source of funds/wealth for AML compliance of a casino, the casino should analyze whether a player exhibits a pattern of behavior related to problem gambling. For example, a warning sign could be when someone spends €3k ($3.1k) per month, while earning only €2k ($2.1k).
Activity warnings. Notify users if they have been playing for too long. What constitutes ‘too long’ is also determined by the player. Some countries, such as Sweden, require these warnings for all players.
Deposit limits. Players set certain limits on their deposit amounts to stick to their budget and avoid overspending.
Time limit. Users have the option to pause their accounts for a period of time that best suits them.
National self-exclusion. Users enter their name on a national self-exclusion register to block themselves from accessing any gambling websites in their country. In the UK, for example, all online casinos are required to have a GAMSTOP membership.
Permanent self-exclusion. Players can block themselves from online casinos permanently and irreversibly, requesting to stop any contact and no longer receive marketing promotions.
There are many more initiatives that a country can take to protect its citizens. Denmark, for example, requires all online gamblers to take an online test that reveals whether they are addicted to gambling.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory measures have been tightened around the world in an effort to better protect problem gamblers. For example, Sweden introduced a weekly deposit limit of SEK 5k ($493) and the UK issued toughened guidelines in response to data showing players were spending more time and money on gambling.
Online casinos should avoid targeting vulnerable groups, such as children, teenagers or selfless players. Similarly, gambling should not be normalized through sports sponsorships or any other media that can be associated with youth culture.
These marketing restrictions could also affect the timing of casino ads. For example, new regulations for online gambling platforms in Germany prohibit ads between 6am and 9pm. The UK is also set to introduce advertising restrictions, given the finding that 96% of 11-24 year olds in the UK were exposed to gambling ads in February 2020, prompting them to place a bet immediately.
In September 2020, the UK made it mandatory for students to be taught about the risks of online gambling in schools. The same is expected of online casinos, which must educate users about the dangers of gambling through videos, blog posts, webinars and other initiatives aimed at raising awareness of gambling addiction.
Fraud has become a real threat to the gambling industry, with schemes such as bonus hunting, multi-accounting, account takeovers and illegal chargebacks on the rise.
Online casinos already have to deal with criminals trying to steal unprotected data. Worse still, data can be leaked due to poor management and frequent staff turnover. That is why online casinos must implement proper controls aimed at protecting players from unnecessary risks.
An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a set of procedures for systematically managing a company's sensitive data. The purpose of an ISMS is to reduce risk and ensure business continuity by first limiting the impact of a security breach.
In most online gaming jurisdictions, information security requirements are based on the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 standard, which sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing and improving an ISMS within an entity.
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is the core of an Information Security Management System, as its primary focus is on the integrity, availability and confidentiality of a company’s sensitive information. At the same time, it also covers information backup, access control, disaster recovery, incident management procedures, software lifecycle security and network security controls, and security in supplier relationships. An ISMS helps gambling and betting operators minimize security breaches and cyber attacks while reducing the costs associated with keeping information secure. If an online casino is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, jurisdictions such as Colombia, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland waive certain security audit requirements if the company decides to operate offshore.
As a digital service provider, online casinos must adhere to certain data protection principles. Therefore, online casinos must ensure that players understand that their data will be processed and, if suspected of being illegal, potentially shared. To remain compliant, casinos must obtain explicit consent from players before onboarding them. The same goes for obtaining consent from players before sending them any marketing materials—something that is often overlooked by the gambling sector.
Since online casinos process sensitive customer information, such as credit/debit card details, they must monitor for security breaches, analyze criminal attacks, and identify potential vulnerabilities. It is important to conduct penetration tests at least twice a year to identify weaknesses and blind spots. Keep in mind that, if there is a security breach, the online casino may be liable for any resulting losses, depending on applicable data protection regulations.
Based on our observations, online casinos should not expect regulations to be relaxed anytime soon. Instead, more and more countries are working to develop a more tightly regulated online casino industry, with the aim of protecting vulnerable users from gambling problems. So the best course of action is to stay on top of these changing regulatory demands and be prepared for whatever comes next.
Casino GamblingAs gambling regulations tighten, some businesses are considering moving to more “tolerant” jurisdictions. Others are taking the opposite route, moving to more reputable territories to attract more customers. We’ve grouped together some of the most popular betting jurisdictions
Gambling is a great form of adult entertainment. It provides laughter, relaxation and the thrill of winning. Sometimes, it also provides the agony of losing and addiction in the worst cases. Before you start gambling anywhere, especially over the Internet, there is one undeniable fact you should remember: the odds associated with online casinos, always favor the house. While the house edge may vary from game to game, the simple fact is that casinos stay in business by winning in the long run.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re without “chance.” That’s why they’re called “games of chance.” There’s always a chance that you can defy the odds and come out on top in the end, in some cases, a big winner. For your sanity, we suggest you treat gambling as a mode of entertainment that you may have to spend a little money on, like going to the movies. In some cases, you’ll come out on top, making the time spent all the more enjoyable.
If you want to enjoy this exciting game, you must learn to gamble responsibly. It’s about entertainment, not about getting rich. Discipline is the key. If you deposit a certain amount, which we’ll call your preferred gambling bankroll, you should be able to walk away when that amount is gone. The first basic rule of losing money is to never start “chasing” your losses. By developing safe gambling habits, you can maximize your enjoyment without fear of financial repercussions.
You can now consider gambling as a mode of entertainment. There are many online “games of chance” that you can choose from. Common choices are video slot games, video poker, table games (roulette, keno, craps) and card games (baccarat, Pai Gow, blackjack and poker). Some sites even allow you to bet on live sports or horse/dog racing. The bottom line is that there are many games available and part of the fun comes in identifying which ones you enjoy the most.
Very few people enjoy every type of game and even fewer have the bankroll to play them all. The first few times you visit an online gaming site, you should set aside a few dollars to play five minutes on a few different games until you find one that suits your fancy. You can play as many games as you want for free here, with no registration required.
The most important thing about gambling is to relax and enjoy every minute of it. You work hard and deserve to sit back and enjoy an hour or two of entertainment. As long as you are 18 and responsible, you will find that online gambling is one of the most exciting forms of entertainment available without having to leave your home.
Any professional gambling site offers a variety of information and advice regarding different games and casinos. To win, it is important to learn how to gamble safely. That is why we want to introduce you to the rules and advice to maximize your chances of winning and play responsibly. If you want to play as an oriented player, you should continue reading our detailed guide.
However, if you have never placed a bet or played a real money game over the internet, the idea of doing so can be a little intimidating.
For one thing, choosing which gambling site to join is a challenge considering the sheer number of gambling sites out there.
Our beginner's guide to online gambling is the perfect resource if you're looking to try gambling over the internet. If you don't know where to start or have questions you'd like answered, you should find everything you need here.
We've provided a lot of useful information and a lot of advice too. Please see below for details of all the articles in this guide, along with some tips to get you started.
Start here if you're not sure whether online gambling is right for you. We look at the pros and cons to help you decide.
A common concern regarding online gambling is safety. In this article, we offer advice on how to stay safe.
In this article, we provide some of our top tips for people who are betting or gaming online for the first time.
It is important to stay in control of your gambling and always play responsibly. In this article we provide advice on this issue.