EGBA calls for the highest industry standards to be met.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has released a new set of guidelines to uphold top-level standards within the gambling industry amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The goal is to ensure that online gambling operators advertise their products safely and responsibly.
These guidelines particularly target online gambling providers, as the land-based sector is currently at a standstill with the online market experiencing substantial growth. The EGBA is strongly against 'corona-free' or similar advertisements, and has vowed to take a firm stance against operators who mention Covid-19 in their marketing campaigns.
Social responsibility is now of utmost importance, and the EGBA intends to help maintain responsible advertising and safe gaming through these guidelines. The EGBA believes that online gambling companies should prioritize the well-being of their customers by adhering to ethical and socially responsible practices.
The EGBA emphasizes that gambling is not a solution for boredom, social, personal, or financial problems, even during a crisis. They encourage all online gambling companies to follow the rules and practice responsible advertising.
Apart from stricter advertising guidelines, the EGBA is also calling for better monitoring of player behavior, with all websites to clearly indicate the availability of 'safe gambling products' and 'deposit limits'. For additional guidance, the EU Directive 478/2014 on consumer protection in online gambling can be consulted. This directive requires all websites and advertisements to display information regarding age restrictions, problem gambling aids, and self-exclusion registers.
In an effort to identify and address any potential gamblig issues, the EGBA suggests 'close monitoring of customer's activities'. The guidelines will also complement the existing measures implemented by the association's members.
Various industry representatives have already expressed their support for the EGBA's guidelines. This includes the UK Betting and Gaming Board, the French Association Française des Opérateurs de Jeu en Ligne (AFJEL), the Portuguese Associação Portuguesa de Apostas e Jogos Online (APAJO), the Swedish Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), the German Online Casino Association (COCV), the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), the Italian Lega Operatori di Gioco su Canale Online, the Norwegian Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill, the Austrian Association for Betting & Gambling in Austria, and the Dutch Speel Verantwoord, which recently spoke out against 'corona-free' advertisements.
The Dutch regulatory authority KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) has also announced increased fines for advertising violations, with an additional 50,000 euros for companies profiting from the pandemic in their advertisements. They described such behavior as "absolutely reprehensible". These new regulations will likely lead to scrutiny of the industry to ensure compliance with responsible gambling practices.
While the EGBA's initiative is deemed 'a necessary measure' to prepare providers of online gambling for a potential crisis, authorities are demanding similar responsible marketing strategies from their licensees. Last week, the UK Gambling Commission's Chairman, Neil McArthur, called for consumer protection to be strengthened, which also involved responsible marketing. Similarly, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) urged its licensees to 'handle promotions responsibly'.
With the online gambling market offering providers the opportunity to recover losses in the land-based sector, it is crucial to maintain responsible gaming practices. Companies like Playtech and Hard Rock, for example, have already expressed their intention to shift focus towards the online market due to the pandemic.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
