The UKGC announcing changes to the responsible gambling protocol is nothing new. An ongoing process designed to protect problem punters, the governing body are always on the lookout for means and methods to enhance player enjoyment and reduce the core addictive base involved with the popular past time.
Typically, they’ve focused on online casino sites, and slot machines in particular, but this latest overhaul is likely to focus on the sportsbook element of gambling too. The whole concept centres around affordability, ensuring that those who are engaging in the activity online, are in a financial position to do so responsibly.
Breaking down the summary of changes, those proposed include:
- The permanent removal of autospins and autoplay on online casinos, ensuring that punters can’t get carried away when playing online slots. This is aimed at curbing persistent and compulsive/addictive playing types.
- Removal of software providers celebrating losses as wins on online slots and table games. If £5 is staked, and the return is £3.50, gone will be the days where the platform displays this as a winning play – given the net returns are lower than the amount staked.
- Affordability checks – the gambling operators will now be required to run regular affordability checks to ensure the punter in question is able to afford what he/she is staking. A core component of the change, operators will now have the power to request affordability evidence, including access to payslips and bank statements. And above all, the operators themselves will have the sole discretion as to whether the requested deposit is one that is affordable, not the punter.
A good move or a bad move – the proposal has the gambling world divided. The first 2 points above seemed to be welcomed with an element of positivity, whereas the third has conjured up more of a negative response. After all, who are third parties to decide whether an individual can afford what he/she is staking?
One thing is for sure, the fallout from the suggested changes isn’t anywhere near close to ending anytime soon.
