International Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct Gathers Pace - 05-03-08

May 3 - eCOGRA introduced this initative last October and has been joined by a number of leading industry bodies in the development of a new operator Code of Conduct. Bodies that support the initiative and have been involved in its development include The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC).

Online gambling is an ever-evolving business. Millions of people engage in some form of gambling every day, and there all industry stakeholders have a responsibility towards players to ensure safe and responsible gambling. This new program is the first attempt of its kinds to establish a single set of global standards  for the online gambling industry that are aimed at protecting players.

The Code is being developed by the above bodies in partnership with the UK-based gambling support charity GamCare as well as the Remote Gaming Association (RGA).

"We hope that the adoption of this Code will better enable the gambling public to make informed decisions with regards to their remote gambling participation, secure in the knowledge that operators are required by condition of license to protect the welfare and enjoyment of their customers," said Andrew Poole from GamCare.

The Code will cover, among other, these key areas:

• Underage gambling
  
• Strict use of age verification tools and prominent warnings/policies on underage gambling.
  
• Links to filtering programmes which enable players and parents to control access.
  
• Player protection measures
  
• The ability for customers to self-exclude, set deposit limits and access up-to-date account balances.
  
• Links to player protection and responsible gaming sites.
  
• Customer communication
  
• Signposts to sources of help for customers who may be experiencing difficulties.
  
• Policies on responsible online gambling clearly set out on websites.
  
• Staff training
  
• Social responsibility training provided for all staff who deals with customers.
  
• Refresher courses delivered to ensure that training is up-to-date and relevant.
  
• Advertising and promotion - particular care taken not to direct advertising messages to under 18s.
  
• Legal, decent, honest and truthful advertising.
  

eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge, said: "Any way you look at it, the new Code is a landmark development taking the industry into a more caring, player-sensitive and responsible future by using practical and proven measures firmly based on experience and research-backed knowledge.

"With the right sort of unpartisan approach, its merits are clear and the potential for good is significant. The groundwork has been done; the challenge now is acceptance and a commitment to use the Code to provide the player protection it makes possible."

The current parties involved in the Code are currently in discussions with European licensing bodies to gain further support and input.

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