‘Please, play responsibly’. It’s the polite but steely invitation of the first European campaign on responsible gaming launched by the ECA, the European Casino Association, which represents almost one thousand casinos in twenty-seven European countries. As of March 14, every casino in writing to the association may affix the recent approval on your site and also on all marketing and advertising campaigns that will put in place, so as to invite their customers to play responsibly.
The project is the work of the European marketing team (one of the working groups established under ECA), led by the Italian Carlo Pagan, who is also a board member of the association, and in addition to the effects of ‘social’ in terms of raising awareness on an issue that is increasingly a subject of public attention, it will also beneficial in terms of raising awareness of the ECA in 27 European countries in which represents casinos. The next step by ECA will be to establish a brand that certifies companies that follow certain standards for the prevention and treatment of ludopatia.
Back in 2007 the European Casino Association had published a ‘working paper’ on responsible gaming in Europe. “Based on the experience of its members – it says – the ECA considers of utmost importance to address the issue of responsible gaming. The promotion of responsible gaming embraces the concept of informed citizen who encourages and supports the ECA”.
Moreover, “the promotion of responsible gambling in casinos land is in their own interest than that of their customers. An exercise social responsibility and addressing the problems associated with gambling is a ‘conditio sine qua non’ for casino operators, important both in terms of reputation and credibility. To this end, the casinos are fully engaged in creating a safe and responsible gaming environment. Customers have a right to expect that commitment! The land-based casinos – it emphasizes still – are fully involved in the field of responsible gaming. Given the clear legal framework for land-based casinos, operators in different Member States have developed specific programs, measures and practices to address the problem of irresponsible gambling. Each of these activities is in line with national restrictions and there are more voluntary codes of industry, including the security programs of the player.
As a result, the prevalence of irresponsible gambling in casinos on the ground is low and well controlled. This unfortunately is not always the case when you look at gaming from a distance through technologies (internet, mobile phones, dial-in services and digital TV). In many Member States (it is a text written in 2007 ed) there are no rules or regulations are not sufficient to control gambling through distance technologies. In addition to a situation where control of remote gambling is less advanced, it is important to understand that gambling has a different risk profile than other types of gambling. Given the accessibility of different gambling at a distance, new measures will be needed to address the increased risk of compulsive gambling, which is the major risk factor for problem gambling. “
