Player monitoring systems in casinos have become more commonplace over the past decade, with operators diligently watching for signs of problematic gaming. These red flags may include an increase in playing time, larger deposits, or more frequent wagering. They also closely monitor usage during unconventional hours, multiple payment accounts, and unsuccessful deposits, along with cancelled withdrawals.
Such monitoring is legally required in certain countries, but generally, it is viewed as a best practice strategy by operators. Many also use this as an opportunity to showcase their commitment to responsible gaming.
In locations like Sweden, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany, operators actively track users for potential problem gaming. Germany stands out as it legally necessitates early detection of problem gambling.
Do players know if they are being monitored?
It's not easy for players to determine if operators are tracking their behaviors to pinpoint problem gambling. The reason being, such behavior analysis is typically used for marketing, fraud prevention, and anti-money laundering (AML) activities. Certain operators, however, take it a step further. Upon identifying signs of problem gambling, they engage with players via emails, phone calls, text messages, or on-site notifications.
What are the player monitoring tools available?
Currently, three notable commercial tools used for player monitoring can be spotted in players' activities:
- Playscan: A tool from Svenska Spel, adopted by several state-owned operators like Svenska Spel itself, France de jeux, and Loterie Romande.
- Gamescanner: A tool from Mindway AI, employing neuroscience and AI to detect problem gambling based on various controlled and addictive behavior indicators. The tool continually refines its functionality by observing how human experts evaluate real people.
- Mentor: A tool from the Austrian firm Neccton, which updates players about their gaming habits via a specific section on the operator's gaming website.
Operators might also utilize their in-house tracking algorithms to educate players about their gambling behavior and related risks.
Autonomous interactions like inbox or pop-up messages may be due to player monitoring. The presence of specific messages like “We have recently noticed that your depositing frequency has increased. Why don’t you update your deposit limit?” is a robust indication of player behavior monitoring by operators. Such messages likely include a recommendation for a responsible gaming tool like limits or self-exclusion.
Conclusion
While these monitoring tools help detect problematic gambling behavior and promote safer play, their prevalence is yet to hit significant levels. Furthermore, they should not be entirely relied upon for responsible gambling but used as supplementary tools in mitigating gambling addiction.
As players, individuals should also keep track of their gambling habits, recognize any signs of problem gambling, and adhere to safer gambling principles.
