The Evolving Responsible Gaming Landscape

By Rossi McKee, entrepreneur and founder of Responsible Gaming Foundation

The responsible gaming landscape across Eastern European markets has undergone recently significant transformations, with a heightened focus on player protection. There is e certain shift in the perception of the topic and measures have been taken on a state level in the region to level up the safer gaming. 

Our Responsible Gaming Foundation, based in Sofia, Bulgaria and other similar NGO`s have been acting proactively in the last 10 years to fostering a strong culture of player protection in Europe and we believe that safer gambling is a shared responsibility and all stakeholders should join in supporting the activities aimed in preventing the compulsive behaviour of gaming and digital addictions.

Our Responsible Gaming Foundation has been instrumental in promoting responsible gaming in Bulgaria and through its partnership with other gaming organisations - in the region. With educational campaigns like our latest long term initiative On Focus: Responsible Gaming, supporting services for problem gamblers, and collaboration with gaming operators, the Responsible Gaming Foundation has been actively shaping the new landscape of the player protection policies in the country.

Despite the progress in promoting responsible gaming, several challenges still need to be addressed. In some Eastern European countries, continuous public education and awareness campaigns are still required to shift public perception and promote the benefits of responsible gaming. It is important to note that integrating responsible gaming measures into existing platforms can be technologically challenging and costly for operators.

However, the long-term benefits of enhanced player protection and sustainable business practices outweigh these initial hurdles. Collaboration between regulators, gaming operators, and organizations like the Responsible Gaming Foundation lead to developing innovative, responsible gaming tools and practices. These partnerships drive industry-wide improvements in player protection and responsible gaming measures.

Operators build trust and loyalty among their players by prioritising responsible gaming. A commitment to player protection enhances the operator's reputation and ensures long-term business sustainability.

In this regard it is important that the games offered by operators are designed with player protection in mind from the outset. Integrating responsible gaming measures during the game design phase is crucial for creating a balanced and safe gaming environment. Setting bet limits is one way to achieve this balance. Incorporating features that allow players to set their bet limits empowers them to control their spending. Dynamic bet limits can be adjusted based on individual preferences and behaviours. Implementing session time limits helps players take regular breaks and avoid excessive gambling. For instance, a pop-up reminder to notify players after every hour of continuous play.

Additionally, allowing players to set daily or weekly time limits ensures they do not spend too much time gambling, helping them maintain a healthy balance with other activities. Mandatory cooling-off periods after reaching a loss limit can further assist players in reassessing their gambling behaviour and making more informed decisions.

As the industry continues to develop its framework, collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and advocacy organizations is crucial. Together, they can ensure that responsible gaming remains at the forefront of the industry's priorities, paving the way for a safer and more ethical gaming landscape