World-class casino operators towards responsible gaming
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THE house always wins. The call to responsible gaming has never been loud and clear than it is today within the global gaming industry. What used to be in fine print that was easy to miss are now easy to read and transparently advertised – the house always wins. For instance, if you bother to check the website of the City of Dreams Manila, the call to responsible gaming is crystal clear.
A world-class casino is always transparent in encouraging responsible gaming. The so-called 'House Edge' is a built-in advantage in favor of the casino and every game, using a pre-set mathematical probability, and is designed to minimize your wins. This is how casinos are designed to be profitable and sustainable. One does not go to a casino as a career or to earn a livelihood, unless you work there. One goes to a casino to be entertained, to bet on a game of chance, and to expect that the 'House Edge' is always there to minimize your wins. Thinking otherwise, like you can out skill or our luck casino games, will definitely lead to the path of gambling addiction.
Promoting responsible gaming is a social responsibility
Word-class casinos are aware of their social accountability footprint. The City of Dreams Manila aggressively promotes the use of technology to help patrons embrace responsible gaming. One such technology-enabled tool is the Cost2Play Calculator which allows you to check on your gambling bets per hour, per month, and per year, specifically when you are playing Slots, Blackjack, or Roulette.
But technology is always human-driven. 2006 Nobel Peace Prize awardee Muhammad Yunus simply states it, "technology is designed for a purpose and that purpose comes from human beings".
The role of the bettor and self-discipline as well as the support of family members and friends are as indispensable as these technology-enabled tools; they are all equally important and necessary.
The City of Dreams Manila is aware of this reality and this is the reason why they are transparent and committed in collaborating with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in the implementation of the Self Exclusion Program and the Family Exclusion Program. Individuals who feel they are in danger of falling into irresponsible gambling can voluntarily apply, while families who are concerned about one of its own family member can also avail of the program. Any individual entered into the program will be barred entry to all Pagcor operated and regulated gaming facilities for a determined period, from six months to five years, and the exclusion period can be extended after another application.
Word-class casinos have tie-ups with professional counseling centers and rehabilitation centers that have licensed psychologists and psychiatrists who can offer human intervention for individuals on the path towards irresponsible gambling.
For its part, Solaire Resort and Casino has put in place extra deterrents such as forfeiting all winnings of any individual who still choose to illegally enter and play in their casinos while still under an exclusion order.
International accreditation for responsible gaming
World-class casinos are working harder than ever in ensuring that responsible gaming is prioritized within the entire global gaming market and industry. International accreditation for responsible gaming is a highly-valued add-on to any casino aspiring to have a global brand.
Melco, which runs the City of Dreams Manila - Integrated Resort, Hotel and Casino, is the first integrated resort operator that has been admitted into the comprehensive and rigorous international gaming accreditation program RG Check.
RG Check is an international responsible gambling accreditation program developed by the Responsible Gambling Council based in Ontario, Canada. The RG Check accreditation assessment looks into a casino's protocols that cover the following: responsible gaming policies, employee training, self-exclusion program, patron assistance program, informed decision-making mechanism, advertising and promotion, access to money by patrons, and venue/game features. The RG Check assesses the casino's performance based on those protocols versus hundreds of criteria lifted from existing responsible gambling standards and codes of practice.
RG Check is the self-policing feature for the global gaming industry. While non-mandatory, like the ISO Certification, it is valuable because it shows the social commitment of a casino in terms of upholding responsible gaming. It is a strong message that says the casino cares for individual patrons and for society in general.
Responsible gaming and the era of online betting
While world-class casinos have successfully overcome the challenges of gambling addiction in their physical venues, the fight against online gambling is still an uphill climb. Local reports about the destructive impact of irresponsible online gambling are becoming a staple in Philippine media. The branding image of the entire Philippine gaming industry is being tested anew because of the rising online gambling addiction statistics.
The good news is, responsible gaming operators across the world have brought the discussion about online gambling addiction into the global stage. Self-policing in the international online gaming market has started to gain momentum with initiatives like the Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4). G4 is promoting a worldwide accreditation program for the remote and e-gambling industry and its operators. It has successfully drafted responsible gaming programs as well as training programs for operators and staff of remote and e-gambling companies.
World-class and socially responsible
The fight against illegal gambling continues. If a casino operator wishes to have a world-class brand, this is the fight to take head on.
A world-class casino has become synonymous with a socially responsible gambling. There is a space in the global gaming industry stage for responsible gaming; and a chair for the responsible gamer as well.
