RG Considerations forDigital Payment InnovationsFall 2021

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention.

We have been a leader in the prevention of problem gambling in Canada and globally for more than 35 years.

RG Check is committed to the advancement of standards and supports operators and regulators around the world to achieve the highest standards when it comes

to responsible gambling programs.

All in for safer gambling.

RG Check is a tool that operators can use for continuous improvement and to help spotlight pain points and risks.

As technology advances, RG Check helps provide digital payment solutions with an RG lens to ensure both business and corporate social responsibility objectives are met.

RG Check is Solutions-Driven

Digital Payment InnovationsThe surge in digital or cashless payment method represents an overall positive trend for the gambling industry.

o Addresses broader social trends to address consumer preferences and improve customer service

o Provides contactless payment / COVID concernso Reduces costs associate with handling banknoteso Increases visibility of potentially illegal transactions; simplifying AML reporting

Innovations such as cryptocurrency, instant deposits, withdrawal limits, etc. presented new considerations related to access to money and financial harm.

Clear regulation that levels the playing field and outlines player effective safeguards is needed.

What are the risks to players?Informed Choice

• Lack of awareness of how much a player is spending• Players may not understand the risks and potential

of financial harmExtended play

• Immediate access to cash removes breaks in play• Could lead to continuous or more impulsive play

Financial harm • Greater risk to players across the risk spectrum• Increased access to personal credit

Spotlight on Financial Harm• Foundation of other harms – Chasing money to gamble drives most

other forms of harm, at all risk levels• Harm that can extend to family, employers and communities • Intervention at any stage can reduce longer-term impact, even

intergenerational• Ease of measurement – financial indicators show change• Shared responsibility/Multi-stakeholder approach including financial

institutions, service providers, credit counsellors, bankruptcy trustees, etc.

What are the opportunities? Informed Choice

• New touchpoint to provide information • More information for player• Easy access to account information (i.e. status, amount owed, expiry, etc.)• Increased ability to provide the right information at the

right time

Identifying and Responding to High Risk Players• Creates data that can be used for risk assessment • Ability to monitor for red flags and identify markers of

harm• Player verification re age and SE status

What safeguards can be put in place? • Promote and incentivize limit setting tools

• Quarantining wins• Accessible and easy to use

• Build breaks in play into game design/ability to set pace of play• Time-limits/ timeouts; reminders• Restrict auto-play features; simultaneous play

• Assess players’ risk levels• Monitoring player behaviour

• Customize player interactions based on risk rating • Employee training• Segmented messaging

• Provide specialized/personalized RG information • Player account information including self-monitor play

patterns and spending habits; self-assessment; limit setting history

RG Check Approach – Online

RG Check assessment methods:• Visual site review• Player materials• Employee interviews • Player and employee surveys• Policies and procedures

The RG Check Accreditation Program assesses all components of a site’s RG program based on a comprehensive set of nine Standard Areas and 48 criteria which are industry-relevant and evidence-based. Through the process and with the results RG Check helps drive performance, manage key PG risks and identify emerging issues.

Considerations of the risks and opportunities related to digital payment innovations including financial harms, game features and player information are considered in four Standard Areas:

Assisting Players

Informed Decision Making

Accounts and Payment

Site and Product Design

Standard: Assisting Players Assistance for players who may be experiencing harms from gambling is readily available, systematically provided and documented.

Criteria4.4 Identifying and Responding to High-Risk Behaviour – Systems are in place to identify and respond to players at risk of experiencing harm.

Key Indicators: • Procedures and training to support players at risk including assessment and

escalation • Tailored assistance is offered• Software is in place to detect at-risk behaviour

Standard: Informed Decision MakingA systematic approach is used to support, integrate, and disseminate information to enable players to make informed decisions and encourage safer play.

Criteria5.3 Positive Play Information – Information is provided about safe gambling behaviours including how responsible gambling tools work. 5.5 Responding to Players – The site has designated player information and support services and employees are able to provide players with specialized information regarding their play (e.g. self-assessment, play management tools, support services, etc.).

Key Indicators:• Practical tips on how to prevent harm including playing with money that you can afford to lose , never

chasing losses, setting time and money limits and take frequent breaks• Play management tools, including self-assessment and play history, are clearly explained• Information related to potential financial harm and high-risk behaviours• Employees provide information related self-assessment, play management tools, local/regional help

services including debt counselling• Site tracks player risk levels and targets relevant information to players

Standard: Accounts and Payment Account registration and money services are provided in a responsible manner.

Criteria7.4 Account Information – Players can easily access their account information including play history and time and money spent. 7.5 Deposits – Deposit methods are prohibited or restricted. 7.6 Accessing Funds – Players’ access to funds is offered in a responsible way.

Key Indicators: • Session feedback is comprehensive and broadly available including optional reminders • Players are required to set deposit limits before depositing funds into their account• Access to comprehensive gambling history at all times • Players cannot have funds automatically deposited from a money source into their site account;

deposit site facilitates access to limit setting and self-exclusion• Players must end play in order to add funds to their account

Standard: Site and Product Design Game and site design helps prevent extended, continuous and impulsive play and enables safe play habits

Criteria8.1 Restrictions on Play – Products and environment are designed to promote breaks in play, avoid excessive play and track the passage of time. 8.4 Limit Setting Tools – Spend – Players can set a variety of spend limits, including deposits, losses, etc. 8.5 Limit Setting Tools – Time – Players can set a variety of time limits, including time-outs, time spent, etc.

Key Indicators: • Ability to track the passage of time and set the pace of play• Promote awareness of money spent• Limit setting for both money and time; well-communicated

• Daily, weekly, monthly• Deposit, loss and stake limits

• Overconsumption of alcohol and drugs is discouraged

Guiding PrinciplesObjectives:

• Preventing extended continuous and impulsive play• Preventing financial harm

Dedication to: • Informed choice/ transparency• Tools that enable setting and keeping a budget • Breaks in play• Tracking the passage of time

Collective Approach: • Operators, service providers, financial institutions,

regulators

Thank YouTracy Parker, Director, Standards and Accreditation, RG Checktracyp@rgco.org

Bob Michniak, Senior Manager, Accreditation, RG Check BobM@rgco.org