程阳：欧洲责任博彩标准

European Responsible Gaming Standards

 

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European Responsible Gaming Standards

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

European lotteries are committed to address illegal gambling and related criminal activities while at the same time minimising any potential harm on society and vulnerable groups [1] in particular by means of a controlled expansion of gaming Education and prevention is seen at the forefront of European lottery’s commitment to responsible gaming.

 

[1] The term ‘vulnerable’ groups can relate to different aspects of society, but in these standards means those that are below the age of legal play in any jurisdiction, those on low incomes, those that already have a gambling addiction, those who are sales agents, employees or contractors and/or those that are not aware of the risks associated with problem play.

 

These standards have been created by the EL Responsible Gaming Working Group and include feedback from EL members. The objectives of the standards are:

 

1. To foster the continuity of public order, integrity and the fight against illegal gambling and financial irregularities as defined under European legislation

 

2. To identify best practice in respect of Responsible Gaming in the lottery sector

 

3. To enable EL members to make Responsible Gaming an integral part of their daily operations and in doing so, to minimise harm to society.

 

4. To state clear rules for EL members relating to their operations so as to:

• ensure that the interests of players and vulnerable groups are protected

• ensure that relevant laws, regulations and responsibilities are met

• develop appropriate practices taking account of relevant information and research

• develop a better understanding of the social impact of gaming.

• promote the implementation of Responsible Gaming practices in all aspects of members’ activities, and the activities of their agents

• provide the public with accurate and balanced information to enable informed choices to be made about their gaming activities

• to continuously improve, and public report on their Responsible Gaming programmes

 

5. To enable EL members to demonstrate to society that their Responsible Gaming programmes are of an appropriate standard and have been independently verified.

 

The treatment of people with gambling-related problems is the domain of therapists and other health care specialists.

 

Whilst EL members are committed, where treatment services exist (see (2) vii), to collaborate with and support to service providers, the primary aim of members is to establish Responsible Gaming programmes to minimize the risk for all parts of society, in particular for vulnerable groups. These will be based on the principles of prevention and education.

 

The Responsible Gaming Standards are expected to be adopted by all EL members in 2007 and implemented fully by all EL Members by the end of 2008, or at a different date as ratified by the EL Executive Committee. All members shall ensure that they comply with applicable laws and local jurisdiction at all times. In order to accommodate a rapidly changing gaming environment and new knowledge and research in the area of responsible gaming these Responsible Gaming Standards shall be reviewed at a minimum every other year.

 

The standards are the primary element of an EL policy framework for Responsible Gaming; the policy framework will include other documents that supplement the standards, for example specific codes of conduct (such as the Code for Sports Betting) and various guidelines, which relate to Responsible Gaming practices within the EL community. The standards are designed to be complimentary to the WLA Responsible Gaming Principles and Framework, in that the EL standards specify outputs (i.e. it explains specific actions which EL Members shall take) that can be measured. It is expected that through the implementation of the EL Responsible Gaming Standards all EL members will, as a minimum, automatically meet Level 3 (‘Implementing’) of the WLA framework no later than the end of 2008. However, the EL Standards are intended, where necessary, to go beyond mere compliance with the WLA framework, as required in Europe.

 

This document does not substitute any applicable laws and regulations within each Member’s jurisdiction, but sets standards on Responsible Gaming which EL Member State Lotteries commit to follow accordingly.

 

2. STANDARDS

 

i. Research

 

Members shall, working with appropriate stakeholders, promote (e.g. initiate / engage in / communicate the results of) research and/or studies, including from independent sources in order to contribute to society’s understanding of problem gambling. These results shall also been used for the formulation of future responsible gaming measures and measures.

 

This may include the funding of research and/or studies as well as arranging or participating in seminars, conferences and the support of the EL’s work on responsible gaming initiatives.

 

The responsibility for prevalence studies usually rests with the state. However, members shall co-operate with these studies where required.

 

 ii. Employee training

 

Members shall provide all employees with information on their Responsible Gaming programmes through appropriate communication channels at a minimum on an annual basis.

 

Members shall ensure that an appropriate level of awareness relating to Responsible Gaming is maintained throughout the organisation, so that Responsible Gaming is made an integral part of daily operations.

 

Relevant employees (including temporary staff and contract staff) shall, based on job demands and customer interaction, receive training on Responsible Gaming, including (where applicable) training on treatment referral for potential problem gamblers (see (2) vii). Preference should be given to specialist training providers for the provision of this training.

 

Where a legal age of play exists in any jurisdiction, all employees that sell lottery products shall receive training that enables them to request validation of a person’s age through appropriate means (i.e. ID or secondary forms of identification).

 

iii. Sales agents’ programmes

 

All sales agents shall be provided with information materials (e.g. brochures, leaflets, posters etc.) in order to raise their awareness of Responsible Gaming and to educate them on issues relating to problem play.

 

Before new sales agents are allowed to sell members products they shall be provided with training on Responsible Gaming. Tailored training may be provided to retailers depending on the range of products they sell on behalf of members. Preference should be given to specialist training providers for the provision of this training.

 

Members shall ensure that sales agents are informed (in writing) that they are prohibited from offering credit facilities to players, excluding (in some jurisdictions) the acceptance of credit cards.

 

Members shall, where applicable, regularly assess the feasibility of providing training to sales agents in respect of treatment referral and the subject of problem gambling.

 

Where members offer self-exclusion facilities, such as a player card, sales agents shall be informed (in writing) how the schemes operate and can be activated/removed by or for players.

 

Members shall review the adequacy and effectiveness of sales agents Responsible Gaming programmes at least annually.

 

iv. Game design

 

Before launching every new type of product/service, members shall conduct a social impact assessment using a structured assessment tool to examine relevant risk factors. Members shall implement effective strategies to minimize the negative impact of these risk factors. The risk factors shall be documented and any harm-minimization strategies clearly recorded so that the assessment can be reviewed as necessary.

 

Thus, members need to be aware of the risk factors related to problem gambling at product level (e.g. event-frequency, win probability, near-miss), at situational level (e.g. location and number of gaming venues) and at organizational level (e.g. marketing and advertisements).

 

Members shall only operate new types of products/services that are assessed (during the social impact assessment) to be ‘high-risk’ if doing so will enable an existing risk in the marketplace (i.e. if a product or service operated by someone other than the lottery member) to be reduced or regulated more effectively by the lottery member.

 

Members shall consider whether any social impact assessment, but particularly those that indicate a ‘high risk’ product/service, should be supported by verification from an independent third party, and document the decision/ outcome as part of the social impact assessment. Self-exclusion options should be built in wherever operationally possible.

 

 v. Remote gaming channels

 

Members shall, were applicable, assess the feasibility of arranging a periodic independent review of these platforms, in respect of their adequacy from a Responsible Gaming perspective, if this leads to a recognised accreditation from the independent third party (such as GamCare, G4 etc.). The outcome of any review should be documented and any action should be included in an action plan with specific owners and target dates. The outcome of such reviews shall be made available to the EL during the EL certification process (see xi.).

 

Where applicable and depending on the products offered, members shall ensure that their remote gaming platforms (internet, TV, mobile devices) include e.g.:

 

 • Proof of address

• Age verification systems

• Customer-led and/or system default limits on play, spend and/or losses

• Self-exclusion options for players

• Reality check on the game screen (e.g. session clock, warnings relating to limits, cool offs/breaks between periods of play)

• Data protection controls

• Value of wagers shall be displayed

• Self-assessment opportunities to help people to evaluate whether they are playing responsibly.

• Links on every webpage to information about responsible gambling, the member’s policies on responsible gaming, and sources of advice and support (e.g. helpline numbers, referral to treatment providers [2] ). Members shall ensure that contact centre staff are able to refer to these sources of advice and support.

 

[2] See (2) vii

 

Where applicable, members shall also assess, at least annually, the extent that the above arrangements can be implemented in respect of ITVM and/or VLT products/services, for example through the use of player card or other registration schemes. Members shall document the content and results from the review, where applicable.

 

vi. Advertising and marketing

 

Members shall not direct advertising at vulnerable groups (in respect of age, social status, or gambling habits).

 

Members shall adopt an ‘advertising and marketing code which ensures that advertising and sales promotion activities do not encourage underage or problem play and do not provide the player with misleading information such as a false impression of the odds of winning. Members shall also comply with relevant voluntary and/or mandatory codes relating to the provision of their services. Members’ own code shall specify which mandatory and/or voluntary codes are applicable to their span of operations.

 

 

 The code shall ensure that advertising and marketing campaigns:

 

• do not offer unreasonable incentives for loyalty that are linked to winning more based on gambling more

• only ever accurately portray winning as a matter of pure chance

• only ever accurately represent the chances of winning, prizes and odds etc.

• exclude any content that is designed to exploit an individual’s financial anxieties

• do not state or suggest that playing  [3]  is an alternative to work or a way out of financial difficulties

• do not encourage discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender or age

• exclude any content that includes or encourages violence, sexually exploitative themes or illegal behaviour

• do not cooperate and support links or other commercials that are offering quick loans that can be drawn upon immediately for the purpose of playing

 

[3] Members are free to use the winning experience as a positive aspect of advertising and marketing. The risk is that the act of playing may be presented as an alternative to work, rather than playing for fun with the hope of winning.

 

vii. Treatment referral

 

Members shall actively engage with problem gambling organisations, treatment centres and/or health professionals in order to understand the problem gambler’s perspectives on the impact of lottery products and related advertising on their situation.

 

Where treatment services exist in a jurisdiction, members shall (unless an alternative organisation has been selected for this purpose in a jurisdiction) provide relevant information to players and sales agents and cooperate with providers regarding services available for problem gamblers. Such information (contact details/helpline numbers) shall be available in printed form and should be clearly visible in gaming venues, as well as being available on members’ websites.

 

The applicability, adequacy and effectiveness of these arrangements shall be reviewed at least annually by members.

 

viii. Player education

 

Members shall include these features in information designed for players (including on remote channels):

 

• detailed information on the odds of winning on each game which allows people to assess the risks and benefits of playing

• age restriction measures (if applicable)

• Responsible Gaming information and information on where to get help in cases of problem play (see (2) vii)

 

 If the above information is not available in printed form in gaming venues (e.g. retail stores) members shall ensure that details of how to obtain such information is clearly available to players/retailers (agents). Where material is available in printed form it shall be placed where it can be taken discreetly. If ATMs are located in the location, leaflets shall be placed near to those.

 

 

 ix. Stakeholder engagement

 

Members shall regularly engage with their stakeholders formally and informally and include this in their reporting mechanisms. Engagement shall cover issues that are material to the stakeholders and the individual member. In the breadth of stakeholders that are being invited members shall be inclusive.

 

The engagement shall provide an opportunity for stakeholders to voice relevant concerns or questions.

 

Members shall integrate the results of stakeholder engagement into their strategic-decision-making processes and shall feedback to relevant stakeholder(s) on the outcomes from engagement processes.

 

x. Reporting, Measurement & Certification

 

Members shall report (or have agreed to begin reporting from a specified date) on the impact and breadth of their Responsible Gaming programmes to their stakeholders. The reporting shall include policies for responsible gaming, targets, commitments and indicators and shall occur periodically.

 

Reporting shall be transparent using channels which are most appropriate and accessible for the targeted stakeholder audience.

 

Members shall arrange independent verification of their Responsible Gaming activities against these standards as specified in separate guidance relating to the EL certification process.

 

 DATE AND SIGNATURE:………………………………………………………

 

LOTTERY NAME