Gambling is risky and dangerous but that doesn’t stop people from gambling. Lawmakers of many countries have realized that the harm caused by regulated gambling is far less intense than that caused by illegal gambling. Several governments have, therefore, regulated gambling activities within their borders.

The following are the benefits of regulated online gambling activities:

• Boosts economy by creating jobs and raising revenue
• Attracts tourists and thereby generates wealth
• Gives local players licensed online gambling sites to choose from
• Protects local players from gambling harm through self-exclusion registers and problem gambling support

This article presents an overview of how European gambling authorities protect local players from gambling harm.

Safer Gambling in the UK

The official website of the UK Gambling Commission has devoted a section to responsible gambling, in which it shows UK gamblers how to gamble safely with businesses licensed in the UK.

You can read quick consumer guides that help you to understand the UK’s regulated gambling industry better. The UK Gambling Commission has also provided tips to help you avoid frauds and scams.

Here are ways in which gambling operators licensed in the UK protect their customers:

ID Verification: UK-licensed operators verify your identity to find out whether you are of the legal age to gamble, to check if you have registered in UK’s self-exclusion program, and to confirm your identity. ID verification serves to protect you from fraud and to keep the UK’s regulated gambling industry free from crime.

Player Protection Tools: The law requires licensed gambling operators to provide the following tools to help players gamble responsibly:

• Setting limits on gaming sessions, deposits, and wins/losses
• Time-outs
• Self-exclusion

GAMSTOP: GAMSTOP is UK’s multi-operator self-exclusion service. Problem gamblers can use GAMSTOP to self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling sites through a single procedure.

GamCare: Self-exclusion gives you a much-needed break from gambling, but does not solve the underlying issues that lead to problem gambling. The UK Gambling Commission, therefore, directs problem gamblers to GamCare, which can give them the required support.

How Denmark Protects Local Players

The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA), the body responsible for licensing and monitoring Denmark’s regulated gambling industry, has implemented the following player protection measures:

1. Responsible Gambling:The DGA devotes a section of its official website to responsible gambling. In this section, it teaches local players about the dangers of compulsive gambling and the importance of gambling responsibly.
2. Complaints:The DGA encourages local players to complain about games they have played, operators who do not comply with the laws, objectionable gambling advertisements and marketing campaigns, and unlicensed gambling operators.
3. ROFUS:ROFUS is the DGA’s register of self-excluded local players. Victims of gambling harm can register with the ROFUS and self-exclude from all gambling activities licensed by the DGA.
4. StopSpillet:StopSpillet provides support for problem gambling and information about responsible gambling. You can call StopSpillet on the number +45-70-22-28-25.
5. Strict Gambling Advertisement Laws:Licensed gambling operators in Denmark have to comply with strict gambling advertisement laws to protect local players in general and minors in particular.
6. License Holders:The DGA has published a complete list of license holders on its website. You can check this section to find out if your gambling operator holds a DGA license.
7. Free Treatment Centres:If you are experiencing gambling harm of any sort, you can approach any of the free treatment centres that the DGA lists on its website.

Self-exclusion in Italy

In April 2018, AAMS, the Italian gambling regulator launched a self-exclusion program for local players at risk for gambling harm. Called Unique Self-exclusion Registry, it allows Italian players to self exclude from any or all licensed gambling services in Italy. But some of them who are ready to pay extra taxes can play at any foreign Curacao-licensed casino senza AAMS (without AAMS in Italian).

Italian gambling laws require operators not to provide their services to self-excluded players. Players can self-exclude either temporarily or permanently. Monitoring bodies can also prescribe a six-month-long self-exclusion to players who display harmful gambling behaviour.

Also, the Italian gambling regulator has initiated payment blocking to and from unlicensed gambling operators. Italian law-enforcement agencies fine each illegal transaction €100,000 – €300,000.

The Netherlands to Legalize Online Casinos

The Netherlands is all set to launch regulated online gambling on January 1, 2021. Meanwhile, the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) will continue to fight against unlicensed casinos & betting sites by imposing fines on them.

The country has expanded its Betting and Gaming Act to give more powers to the regulatory body. Soon, the KSA will have the power to force facility services such as marketing companies and payment service providers to stop offering services to unlicensed operators of online gambling sites. The KSA can also use its new powers to force app stores to block betting and gaming apps.

The Netherlands has a well-regulated and licensed gambling industry although online casinos are illegal at present. The laws require licensed operators to link with the Central Exclusion Register (CRUKS) so that players experiencing gambling harm can self-exclude from gambling services licensed by the KSA. The problem it is too easy to start playing again: gamblers who would like to play just find casinos zonder CRUKS (MGA-licensed casinos), and find a way to avoid self-exclusion from gambling online.

Sweden Introduces Tougher Laws

Sweden protects local players from illegal gambling sites through the Swedish Gambling Authority. In June 2020, the government of Sweden approved a set of temporary online gambling laws that aim to protect Swedish players from gambling harm. The new laws will remain in force for the rest of 2020, imposing a series of limits on operators as well as players.

Accordingly, players cannot deposit more than $500 per week and operators cannot offer bonuses exceeding SEK100. Players also have to compulsorily set gambling session limits. But critics say that these measures will force players to sign up at offshore online casinos although they intend to protect players from gambling harm.

Sweden continues to cancel licenses of operators who fail to comply with its laws and to impose heavy fines on operators failing to meet the required regulatory and consumer protection standards.

The country maintains a self-exclusion register called Spelpaus, which allows players at risk for problem gambling to self-exclude from gambling services licensed in Sweden. By April 2019, more than 30,000 Swedish players had registered in this self-exclusion program.