We all know the calling cards of problem gambling from the player’s perspective: losing track of time, prioritising playing in your finances, neglecting work or family, etc. But that is from the player’s perspective. What are the indicators from the operator’s side of things? What risk factors are crucial to understanding players and therefore what will inform decisions made at your iGaming platform or land based operations? We’re breaking down the risk factors of problem gambling to better inform player protection decisions.
Player Protection is Business Protection
Player protection is important to the player, yes, but to the platform too. A gambling operator cannot function without its players, therefore player protection is also company protection. According to the Gambling Commission, it’s estimated that 3.8% of the UK population are at risk of developing a problem with gambling. If 3.8% of your players were gone tomorrow, what would that do to your margins? Additionally, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association, online gamblers are three times more likely to experience gambling problems than land-based gamblers.
On top of that, regulations ensure that gambling companies put the player first, which means there are financial incentives to keep player protection at the forefront of your online or landbased gambling business decision-making.
By using behavioural analytics to flag up problematic behaviour, you can ensure that these risk factors don’t develop into habits, thereby ensuring that players keep coming back in a sustainable manner and avoid some nasty fines.
Risk Factors of Problem Gambling
So, what are the most prevalent risk factors of problem gambling from the operator’s side? What is it that play protection software like that of Mindway AI is looking for?
- Repeated loss of winnings
When a player is up and yet they keep playing, this might indicate potentially addictive behaviour, coming down to poor impulse control. Repeatedly winning and continuing on to lose those winnings is a big indicator of problem gambling.
- Loss chasing
Alternatively, attempting to recover losses by continuing to gamble is a classic indicator of problem gambling and will often lead to greater losses. An inability for the player to admit when they are done is an indicator of problem gambling picked up by Mindway AI’s player protection software.
- Binge gambling
Similarly, extended and intense gambling sessions can also show a lack of control. Whether it’s TV, food, alcohol or gambling, binging is an indicator of an addictive personality. Binge gambling, additionally, can be a disruption to daily life and lead to even more problems. But binging doesn’t need to mean all in one day. The number of consecutive days gambling can also indicate that a player cannot step away from the platform.
- Nightly play
Additionally, if these binge gambling sessions are happening during the night, it might indicate a problem. Pushing back sleep patterns and other responsibilities and routines for gambling indicates that gambling is the major priority in their lives.
- Fluctuating wagers/Repeatedly changing payment methods
Erratic behaviour such as fluctuating wagers or changing payment methods is another indicator. It might point to decision-making led by emotion, and a loss of control. Switching between payment methods, in particular, could showcase a desire to hide their gambling activity or the financial toll it’s having.
- Impulsive transaction behaviour
Along the same lines, you might see impulsive transactions on a player profile as an indicator of problem gambling. This indicates a lack of control or financial planning. You might also see a cancellation of withdrawals in order to keep playing, which also points to prioritizing gambling over financial stability. Additionally, increasing amounts of money being spent can also indicate a problem.
- Game types
It might also be the case that you see players switching to games that are faster-paced or have higher stakes with bigger betting limits, which can point to a problem as they hunt for a more intense and thrilling gaming experience.
- Increasing tolerance
This, in turn, feeds into tolerance. As players’ tolerance for the thrill of gambling grows, they might try to recreate it with bigger bets or risks, which is a classic sign of potential addiction.
How GameScanner can help
GameScanner is a player protection software tool that allows gambling operators to better monitor their players. This AI tool uses algorithms to better spot and flag up problematic behaviour in a player’s online gambling. Not only does GameScanner detect and monitor these numerous and often complex behavioural markers individually, but it also observes the dynamics between them, which collectively form a comprehensive picture of each player’s gambling behaviour.
With a team of experts in neuroscience and problem gambling, including researchers, experts and psychologists, the Mindway AI GameScanner software can better spot risk factors of problem gambling before they become a habit. GameScanner works as a virtual psychologist detecting at least 87 pct. of the at-risk and problem gambling cases that human experts detect. This has been tested and validated by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). According to a study published in the Journal of Gambling Studies, early interventions reduced problem gambling severity by 30-40% over a 12-month period.
This approach will take valuable time and energy off your team by automating an important aspect of responsible gambling regulation and allow you and your team to make more informed decisions on your iGaming and landbased/retail business. In turn, your business can enjoy a robust collection of ongoing sustainable player engagement rather than losing players to burnout.
Conclusion
The risk factors of problem gambling look very different from the other side of the screen and aren’t as well promoted. With the help of Mindway AI’s GameScanner software player protection can be a lot smoother and efficient.
