The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming authority, has announced plans to improve the duty of care at gaming halls across the Netherlands. Following a series of inspections conducted in December 2023 and January 2024, KSA inspectors visited 20 gaming facilities to assess how effectively duty of care measures are being implemented.

Key Findings from Inspections

The findings revealed that while most gaming halls have taken steps to meet the duty of care requirements stipulated by the Remote Gambling Act (KOA Act), there are areas where implementation needs improvement. The KOA Act mandates that gaming halls must take measures to prevent and limit gambling addiction as much as possible. Despite the good intentions and policies in place, the practical application of these measures often needs to be revised.

One significant observation was that gaming halls generally know the personal circumstances and gambling behaviors of regular players. However, more proactive intervention is often needed. This includes addressing players directly, registering warning signs, and implementing necessary interventions.

Areas for Improvement

All inspected gaming halls recognized long playing times as a concerning signal, but the methods for monitoring this were only sometimes well-defined. Furthermore, the venues have yet to implement a maximum playing time, which is particularly important for arcades that are open 24 hours a day and have no natural stopping point for players.

Additionally, all the arcades that were visited allowed playing on multiple machines and the reservation of gaming machines. While not prohibited, these practices can contribute to excessive gambling behavior. Other indicators of excessive gambling, such as frequent and lengthy visits and a high number of debit card transactions, were not adequately monitored by several gaming halls.

Following the inspections, the KSA sent letters to each visited arcade detailing specific areas for improvement. The KSA has also announced that it will issue more detailed guidance for all license holders later this year, elaborating on the findings and providing specific attention to the duty of care in gaming halls. This guidance will be followed by stricter monitoring to ensure compliance.

KSA’s Commitment to Enhanced Oversight

The KSA’s initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the regulation of the Dutch gaming industry. With the market set to undergo significant revisions from October 1, these improvements aim to ensure that gaming halls adhere to high standards of care and contribute to safer gambling environments.

The KSA’s findings highlight the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures in the gaming industry. By addressing the identified gaps and enhancing duty of care practices, the KSA aims to protect players and ensure responsible gaming. The upcoming guidance and stricter monitoring will be crucial in achieving these objectives.

Source:

Kansspelautoriteit stuurt aan op verbetering zorgplicht speelhallen, kansspelautoriteit.nl, July 4, 2024.

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Individuals grappling with problem gambling face more than just the challenges of their addiction. They confront a system rife with bias, making it significantly harder for them to access necessary treatment compared to those struggling with other dependencies.

Individuals with Gambling Disorder Navigate Inequities in Health Coverage

At the 16th Annual Michigan Problem Gambling Symposium, held recently, University of Oklahoma Law Professor Stacey A. Tovino shed light on the institutional biases encountered by those with a gambling problem. Tovino highlighted how individuals with gambling disorder are often disadvantaged when seeking healthcare through both public health programs and private insurance plans, reported Play Michigan.

According to Tovino, individuals grappling with gambling disorder are often subjected to disparities in health insurance coverage and policies. These disparities manifest in various forms, including limited coverage, lower spending caps, and stricter requirements for outpatient visits and therapy sessions. Remarkably, these obstacles are not typically encountered by individuals seeking treatment for physical ailments.

Tovino emphasized the disparity in coverage between mental health conditions and gambling disorder, noting that insurance companies frequently provide fewer benefits for the latter. She explained that individuals with gambling disorder may receive significantly fewer covered inpatient days or outpatient visits compared to those with physical health conditions requiring similar therapy.

Medical Insurance Companies Fail to Address Gambling Addiction

Moreover, despite efforts to enhance mental health coverage over the years, including through legislation like the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 and subsequent amendments, problem gambling remains inadequately addressed. Despite being classified as an impulse control disorder, akin to other recognized dependencies, insurance companies often exclude coverage for gambling addiction.

The expansion of online gambling further exacerbates the issue, with insurance policies increasingly failing to provide coverage for gambling disorder, specifically targeting online gambling addiction.

In Michigan, where the benchmark health plan lacks explicit provisions for gambling disorder treatment, individuals struggling with problem gambling find themselves particularly disadvantaged. Unlike alcohol or substance addiction, gambling disorder is not universally recognized as a disability, further complicating efforts to secure coverage and support.

Amidst these challenges, Michigan offers various resources for individuals and families affected by problem gambling, including helplines, self-exclusion programs, and support groups like Gamblers Anonymous and Game-Anon.

Last year the Michigan Gaming Control Board(MGCB) announced that it anticipates receiving approximately $51 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2024. This budget allocation is meant to support the MGCB in its efforts to combat illegal gambling, monitor the market, and promote responsible gambling initiatives, including the “Don’t Regret the Bet” campaign.

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Premier online betting operator in the UK by number of customers that provides pre-match and in-play odds in a variety of markets, Sky Betting & Gaming (Sky Bet), has made a donation of over £250,000 ($313,500) to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), one of Yorkshire’s top charities.

The announcement was made during SBG’s Annual Charity Gala held in Leeds earlier in the week when hundreds of staff members and guests reunited for a fund-raiser hosted by ITV Racing’s Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin.

Flutter UK & Ireland Donated £120,000

While the silent auction, sponsorship packages, Mascot Race, and raffle prizes all contributed to raising an important amount throughout the night, Sky Bet’s parent company Flutter UK & Ireland (Flutter UKI) decided to add a further £120,000 to the list of donations. 

This way, the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit will afford to buy a new, top-tier echo software package that would allow them to use advanced software for highly detailed heart analysis.

At the head of the year, the staff at Sky Bet voted to support the CHSF. Ever since they have been involved in a series of fund-raising challenges and activities with the goal of raising money for the charity that does not receive any funds from the government.

In the past eight years since it has been running its charity event, Sky Bet has managed to raise approximately £800,000 ($872,000) that reached local and nationwide charities. The list includes Macmillan Cancer, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Support Dogs, and Teenage Cancer.

The company’s chief commercial officer, Steve Birch, called the Charity Gala one of their “proudest moments” while praising the work done by the staff to raise money for the cause that he called exceptional.

The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) is a not-for-profit organization that provides lifesaving and life-changing support for children with congenital heart disease across Yorkshire.

Sky Bet’s “Life-Changing” Contribution, Praised by CHSF

CHSF’s head of marketing, Andy McNally, spoke about the “life-changing contribution from Sky Betting & Gaming and Flutter UKI” that is expected to make a huge difference in terms of treatment for patients suffering from congenital heart diseases. 

He added that the fresh donations will support both patients and their families and provide them with the “best possible experience” at the Congenital Heart Unit as well as other 19 cardiac clinics in the area. 

McNally thanked the Sky Bet staff and everyone who helped organize the event. Each year, the CHSF takes in more than 17,000 patients of all ages. 

In August, Sky Betting and Gaming announced it would continue to promote safer gambling practices together with the English Football League.

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Richmond voters dealt a blow to the proposed $562 million Richmond Grand Resort and Casino, rejecting the project for the second time in three years. In 2021, Richmond voters were presented with the decision to support or reject a casino project, with 51% opposing and 49% favoring it. 

Child Care Advocates Express Disappointment as Richmond Rejects Casino Funding

One of the significant promises tied to the casino project was the allocation of funds for childcare programs, with an initial upfront payment of $26.5 million and an annual commitment of $19 million in casino revenue earmarked for the city. The rejection of the casino plan has now raised questions about the future of childcare funding in Richmond.

Child care advocates, including Ann Payes, CEO of the early childhood school readiness group Thrive Birth to Five, expressed disappointment over the failed casino project, reported The Richmond Times Dispatch. Payes highlighted that the annual $19 million could have significantly supported early childhood education programs, addressing issues such as lengthy wait times for child care and reducing financial burdens on families.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who invested considerable political capital in supporting the casino effort, emphasized the potential benefits during a September news conference. Stoney proposed using the casino revenue to build childcare and education centers, fund parks and recreation projects, and establish a trust fund to expand childcare access to low- to middle-class families.

Mayor Stoney Grapples with Childcare Funding Void After Casino Rejection

With the rejection of the casino, Stoney acknowledged that the plans for addressing the childcare shortage were no longer viable. The proposed $26.5 million upfront for child care centers and the annual commitment of $19 million to the Richmond Child Care and Education Trust Fund are now off the table.

Stoney’s office indicated that without the casino funding, alternative measures would need to be explored to address the childcare crisis. However, there are currently no plans to seek a tax increase for childcare funding, according to Stoney’s spokesman Gianni Snidle.

The rejection of the casino has left childcare advocates and officials exploring other avenues for funding. Organizations like Thrive Birth to Five are turning to state and federal governments for increased funding. Payes emphasized a commitment to making early childhood care happen, even if at a slower pace. The Richmond Public School system is also applying for Head Start and Early Head Start grants to increase the number of available childcare slots.

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