IdPair, Inc., a leading provider of safer gambling technology, is gearing up to introduce free self-exclusion assistance across Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee starting this August. This initiative marks the inaugural phase of the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP), aimed at streamlining access to self-exclusion services for individuals across multiple jurisdictions.

Free Remote Notary Services Facilitate Access

As part of NVSEP’s commitment to accessibility, individuals seeking self-exclusion in states requiring notarized forms will benefit from free remote online notary services via the NVSEP platform. This removes financial barriers and ensures that the process remains straightforward and cost-free for participants.

Tailored Self-Exclusion Options Across Jurisdictions

NVSEP acknowledges the diverse gambling landscapes in each state, offering tailored self-exclusion options that cater to various forms of gambling, including casinos, online sports betting, poker, fantasy sports, and horseracing. For detailed information on supported products and properties in each jurisdiction, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.NVSEP.com/jurisdictions.

Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO of idPair, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of NVSEP’s expansion: “With this launch, individuals can now self-exclude seamlessly across multiple states, enhancing their protection significantly. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and ensure that everyone seeking self-exclusion can access these vital services.”

Advancing Efficiency Through Integrated Systems

Future phases of NVSEP aim to deepen integration by potentially linking directly with the Player Account Management (PAM) systems of gambling operators. This integration promises to streamline the self-exclusion process further, potentially enabling instantaneous enrollment and providing immediate protection to participants.

This initiative by NVSEP in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee represents a pivotal step toward the nationwide adoption of responsible gambling practices. For ongoing updates and more details about NVSEP, including future expansions, please visitwww.NVSEP.com.

Source: “National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP) to Begin Free Self-Exclusion Assistance in Four US Jurisdictions”, Business Wire, June 18, 2024

The post NVSEP Launches Free Self-Exclusion Assistance in Four US States appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Danish regulator, Spillemyndigheden, announced that it has resolved a self-exclusion issue that affected over a thousand people. The regulator also identified an error in Denmark’s “No thanks to gambling advertisements” scheme. Both issues have since been corrected and reported to the Danish Data Protection Agency.

For reference, the initial error saw self-excluded players able to access certain games. According to Spillemyndigheden, the issue affected people who had just renewed their ROFUS self-exclusion. The authority explained that the renewal maintained the original exclusion but failed to cover games that were newly added to the exclusion scheme.

A total of 1,200 players were affected by this issue, Spillemyndigheden reported. The regulator emphasized that this issue has since been fixed and that the affected players are now excluded from gambling.

In the meantime, Spillemyndigheden identified an error in “No thanks to gambling advertisements,” which was also promptly fixed. The Danish watchdog also ensured that these errors will no longer happen to future registrants.

Spillemyndigheden Regrets the Error

Spillemyndigheden reported the case to the Danish Data Protection Agency as a data breach. The regulator emphasized its desire to protect the Danish players and provide them with reliable self-exclusion.

The Danish watchdog explained that it makes a great effort to ensure that ROFUS is a stable and reliable service that its players can trust. Because of that, the regulator said that the aforementioned error was “very regrettable.”

All affected people are set to receive a direct message. Players who still have any questions should contact Spillemyndigheden.

The Authority Asked Operators to Weigh in on AML System

In January, the regulator worked on enhancing Denmark’s new anti-money laundering system, GoAML. The solution, operated by the Money Laundering Secretariat, has been designed to identify and flag instances of potential money laundering or terrorism financing.

Spillemyndigheden invited gambling operators to weigh in on the system and suggest new money laundering indicators. According to the authority, the current system fails to properly reflect the complexities of the gambling sector, which is why changes are needed.

The post Spillemyndigheden Resolves Self-Exclusion Error – GamblingNews appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The online registry was introduced on August 21, 2023, and it has seen an immediate interest from punters, as the program is designed to allow Australians to enrol and be excluded from virtually all forms of gambling, retail and online across the nation.

BetStop Continues to Bolster RG in Australia

The measure is part of a much broader attempt to change the country’s reputation for the biggest gambling spending and losses per capita worldwide. BetStop is a good step in that direction, with total registrations now hitting 13,608 nationwide.

Although there has been sustained interest, the current number of signees is behind the initial influx. In October, there were 3,121 signups compared to November’s 2,991, which may indicate that the initial peak of signees has been reached.

The exact number of problem gamblers in Australia is not presently known, but it’s estimated that at least 1% of the population suffers from it, amounting to roughly 193,000 people.

The data, however, is based on research conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies in 2015, which leaves more to be desired when approaching and understanding the issue today.

Regardless, BetStop has been a meaningful overall step in the right direction. Victoria, New South Wales, and Northern Territory have seen active participation from local players who have sought to exclude themselves from gambling activities.

Sweeping Reforms to Make Gambling Safer in the Country

The country itself has embarked on several meaningful changes to further strengthen these safeguards, including the introduction of a credit card ban for online gambling, which is hailed as a long overdue but important milestone in the country’s fight against gambling-related harm.

Meanwhile, a cashless gaming trial is taking place in New South Wales. The logic behind this is that the introduction of cashless gaming technology can help protect vulnerable consumers, but also stem other offenses such as money laundering, an issue that triggered sweeping reforms across the state and brought to light arguably dishonest practices by some of the largest gambling companies in the country.

The post Australian Self-Exclusion Register Signups Start to Flag in November appeared first on Keno Wizard.

This initiative is a part of the Ohio Lottery’s “Time Out Ohio” program designed to assist individuals grappling with gambling problems. The most significant development is expanding the state’s self-exclusion program to include online wagering, significantly bolstering its scope and effectiveness. This latest development highlights Ohio’s efforts to balance stakeholder interests with player safety.

The Software Represents a Significant Advancement

Expanding its support for responsible gaming, the Ohio Lottery Commission now introduces a new software solution from the safe gambling organization Gamban to prevent individuals from placing bets on various devices. This initiative is a natural evolution of the Lottery Commission’s self-exclusion program, which currently extends to physical casinos and other specific durations.

“Time Out Ohio” offers self-exclusion options for individuals, ranging from one year to a lifetime ban. Players who breach the self-exclusion agreement by entering a casino may face penalties, including forfeiting gambling chips or slot tickets, being forced to leave the premises, and facing potential criminal trespass charges.

The newly introduced Gamban software will block access to popular betting sites like FanDuel, Unibet, Bally’s, and WagerScore in the US for one year. It will be readily available at no cost to individuals suffering from gambling harm, reflecting Ohio’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by the rapidly growing mobile gambling landscape.

Ohio’s Balanced Approach Should Serve as an Example

Amanda Blackford, director of operations and Responsible Gaming at the Ohio Lottery Commission, noted that Gamban would be invaluable for individuals struggling with online gambling, as its protection includes illegal gambling platforms beyond the Commission’s jurisdiction. Gamban co-founder Matt Zarb-Cousin agreed with this sentiment, lauding Ohio’s proactive attitude.

We hope other states will follow the lead of Ohio, which has been incredibly forward-thinking at a time when mobile sports betting across the US is growing rapidly.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, Gamban co-founder

This newest initiative aligns with Ohio’s efforts to protect consumers while encouraging a thriving and sustainable gambling industry. November saw the Buckeye State introduce new restrictions on gambling advertisements, promotional offers, and bonuses. Meanwhile, a new bill proposed cutting gambling operator gross receipts tax from 20% to a more industry-friendly 10%, highlighting this balanced approach.

The new update to “Time Out Ohio” represents a significant stride in harnessing technology to provide critical support and protection for individuals dealing with gambling addiction, not only within the legal gambling spectrum but also across unauthorized and potentially harmful online platforms. Other states should follow this example, prioritizing customer safety without stifling industry growth.

The post Ohio Introduces Groundbreaking Online Self-Exclusion Software appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Colorado Division of Gaming (DOG) has launched a new statewide self-exclusion scheme, providing locals with a way to control their gambling habits. In line with Colorado’s responsible gambling rules, the program allows locals to be excluded from all regulated gambling in the state.

As a result, excluded persons will be unable to access online sports betting and will not be allowed to enter casinos and sportsbooks in Colorado.

Coloradoans who wish to exclude themselves from gambling can do so for a period of one year, three years or five years. Consumers can sign up for the program by applying online, submitting an application form via email or mail, or applying in person.

Excluded individuals will not be automatically removed from the exclusion list even after the exclusion period ends. Individuals who wish to be removed from the list will have to file a request.

DOG Called the Scheme an “Exciting Advancement”

The launch of the new self-exclusion scheme is in line with Limited Gaming Rule 29 and Sports Betting Rule 9, which introduced new responsible gaming duties and requirements for casino and sports betting operators in the state.

The rules also established the DOG as the custodian of the self-exclusion list. Prior to the launch of the current program, self-exclusion in the Centennial State was managed by the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC).

DOG director Christopher Schroder commented on the launch of the new self-exclusion scheme, highlighting the division’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling across Colorado. He called the launch of the program an “exciting advancement” for the state.

Schroder also thanked the PGCC for everything it has done so far, praising the organization as a reliable ally.

We appreciate all of the work that the PGCC has done to get the Self-Exclusion program to this point. They are an excellent partner in this important work.

Christopher Schroder, director, Colorado Division of Gaming

The regulator hopes to establish a modern tech-driven website that would make self-exclusion easier and more intuitive for customers in Colorado. The DOG is planning to work on this site over the next year.

In the meantime, the division said that the self-exclusion list has now been disseminated to gambling industry bodies across Colorado, allowing them to turn down self-excluded individuals.

The post Colorado Division of Gaming Introduces Statewide Self-Exclusion Scheme appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Part of this effort has been the establishment of an accessible self-exclusion program that allows residents who struggle with controlling their gambling habits to filter gambling content and websites online and restrict their access to land-based properties.

More Than a Decade of Being There for Players

During a meeting of the state’s regulator, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, this Wednesday, the watchdog announced that it has now entered the 20,000^th voluntary request for enrollment in the Casino Self-Exclusion Program. This comes at a time when places such as Washington D.C. have decided to all but nix funding for problem gambling.

PGCB director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling Elizabeth Lanza hailed the milestone and said that it demonstrated the program’s success. She explained that such programs made it possible for players to regain control over their lives and that ultimately, a self-exclusion list was an effective tool in addressing the problem. Lanza added:

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board encourages anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek treatment and consider taking advantage of the voluntary Self-Exclusion Programs.

PGCB’s Elizabeth Lanza

The self-exclusion program has been around for a long time now, launching in 2006 originally, but mostly being slow going over the years. It was significantly expanded in 2019 when Pennsylvania adopted legislation allowing the arrival of online gambling, with the program also covering fantasy sports and video gaming terminals to offer more comprehensive and robust protection. Such expansions have been tied to higher rates of problem gambling.

The program puts the onus on establishments to refuse to accept bets from people who have registered with the program. Furthermore, self-excluded individuals may face criminal trespass charges if they try to access gambling products on the premises of a licensed venue in the Keystone State.

In terms of who enrols in the program, the PGCB provided a detailed breakdown of this information as well, arguing that there were 12,811 men enrolled, along with 7,189 women. Men still seem to be more likely to fall into bad habits with gambling, but the number of women who suffer from similar issues has been steadily growing, indicating that more needs to be done to help protect that particular cohort.

The program also saw 1,026 entries of people who quit the program but returned later on. Effective as these tools can be, addressing problem gambling requires a more comprehensive approach that includes treatment and awareness.

The post Pennsylvania’s Self-Exclusion Gambling Program Reaches 20K Entries appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Initiated by the BC Lottery Corporation, this is a significant step up in the efforts to ensure that consumers are protected. Moving forward, the only way to enter casinos in the province would be by providing a government-issued identification. This way, the onus would be on land-based properties to ensure that people who enter are not self-excluded or under the legal gambling age.

Using Automated ID Checks to Keep Consumers Safe

The measure is expected to be officially introduced this summer, and more details will be forthcoming as the final implementation date is being debated but will be here before August in all likelihood. Casinos will have to do some catching up to do as they would have to ensure that they have the necessary software to check against a database of self-excluded players in the province.

All IDs will be scanned by security staff prior to admission to casino properties with the system automatically referencing a patron’s identity against the Game Break self-exclusion program. Although some concerns about privacy have been raised, the system does not store any personal data to speak of, so consumers will be able to pass this check without any concern.

According to the regulator, this is a way towards paving the way for an industry that has the healthiest players in the world, and the quick and reliable verification against the self-exclusion program is a great way to achieve this. These automated ID scans are also the best way to ensure that no underage or self-excluded individual would be able to enter the premises of a casino.

Building the World’s Healthiest Player Base

IDs in casinos in British Columbia have always been required, as they are needed to verify identity when claiming winnings or withdrawing jackpots. Regardless, the new system is expected to improve who gets on the casino floor and still be unobtrusive enough for consumers to not be turned away or scared by identity checks.

Game Break is not without its potential faults and exploits, however. Similar self-exclusion programs have been abused in the past. GAMSTOP in the United Kingdom, for example, could be tinkered with if a person would re-enter information about themselves, thus confusing self-exclusion algorithms and fooling automated checks.

The post British Columbia Introduces New Self-Exclusion Checks in Land-Based Casinos appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has announced updates to its self-exclusion website, CRUKS, to make it easier for consumers to temporarily exclude themselves from real money gambling.

The upgrades to CRUKS, the Central Register for the Exclusion of Games of Chance, now make it easier for users to set up a gambling exclusion period for a minimum of six months. In addition, the exclusion period can be applied to both land-based properties and online brands and can be for a longer period than half a year.

MORE: DUTCH ONLINE CASINOS

The new version of the Dutch gambling self-exclusion registry now allows players to unsubscribe after six months and includes an eight-day reflection period to prevent impulsive decisions. Additionally, the term “play break” has been replaced with “gambling stop” to provide clearer implications of self-exclusion.

All licensed Dutch gambling operators have been informed by KSA that they must ensure that their player databases are connected to CRUKS and must regularly confirm that their customers, both old and new, have not requested self-exclusion from gambling. Since its launch in the country on October 1, 2021, CRUKS has received more than 38,000 self-exclusion requests.

Meanwhile, KSA said last week that starting July 1, Dutch operators must comply with more strict advertising policies that prohibit TV commercials and public space marketing. KSA will directly inspect marketing campaigns, and bookmakers can only advertise online and through social media if at least 95% of the advertising content is aimed at audiences aged 24 and above.

In addition, consumers must be given the choice to opt out of seeing these advertisements if they wish not to see them.

The post Dutch Gambling Regulator Upgrades Self-Exclusion Website appeared first on Keno Wizard.

GamCare published the results of a recent study, probing into the efficiency of multi-operator self-exclusion schemes. IPSOS specialists held follow-up interviews with 30 people who have signed up for these programs, asking them about their experiences.

These interviews were taken almost three years after the baseline study, with 71% of the original cohort participating in the follow-up. This is notably the first longitudinal study on the topic. It provides valuable insights into how multi-operator self-exclusion schemes impact players.

Most operators have their own self-exclusion tools but multi-operator schemes allow players to stop gambling as a whole, preventing them from playing with many gaming companies at the same time. Multi-operator schemes often provide players with a degree of personalization, allowing customers to only exclude themselves from certain brands or certain gaming verticals.

GAMSTOP, a British multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, allows clients to forfeit playing with all legal operators in the United Kingdom. Some of the interviewed people said that GAMSTOP helped them save a lot of money they could have otherwise lost to iGaming.

At the time of the recent interviews, many respondents were still using some kind of exclusion scheme. The majority felt more confident, believing that they have more or less gotten their gambling habits under control.

However, some of them had to use more than one tool to make certain they won’t return to gambling. A number of respondents were frequenting talking therapies to further return their control over their spending behavior.

Others layered self-exclusion apps, used schemes such as Gamban and employed ad-blocking software to shield themselves from ads. Some even went the extra mile and asked their banks to block gambling transactions, further securing their exclusion from gambling.

TalkBanStop Helps People Get Their Lives Back

The layering of tools is what TalkBanStop, a united front between GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP is all about. The partnership encourages gamblers to take advantage of the tools available to them and jumpstart their recovery.

The partnership leverages GamCare’s advisers and the National Gambling Helpline to consult people experiencing gambling problems. Gamban, on the other hand, helps people exclude themselves from gambling sites and applications. The tool is completely free through the National Gambling Helpline and for anyone using GamCare. Finally, Gamstop provides an additional layer of self-exclusion, further helping people protect themselves from gambling.

Self-exclusion continues to be a speed bump on the road toward harmful gambling. Multi-operator schemes are proving to be very effective in helping people get their lives under control.

You can read more about the results of the recent study on GamCare’s official website.

The post GamCare: Layering Self-Exclusion Tools Prevents Harmful Gambling appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Geolocation technology and services provider GeoComply announced it has teamed with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) for a research project on self-exclusion programs.

Is Enhancing These Programs Beneficial?

The two-year research funded by GeoComply will study the long-term effectiveness of voluntary self-exclusion schemes implemented by land-based and online gambling operators to determine whether these programs would be beneficial for the industry.

Arthur B. Paikowski, president of the ICRG, commented on the partnership and the need for additional research on the prolonged efficacy of voluntary self-exclusion programs, explaining why further assessment of these programs is needed.

“There is a necessity to determine whether enhancing these programs would result in more customer participation and whether this would be beneficial,” he said.

The research will seek to provide answers to questions about the most effective long-term form of self-exclusion; the ideal time for a player to utilize a self-exclusion tool – both, online or at a land-based gaming venue; operator or regulator criteria for letting people who have self-excluded back into gaming; the potential stigmatizing effect of self-exclusion blocking people from using these tools; the most suitable way of registering; and others.

Happy to Support the ICRG’s Research

Highlighting the company’s commitment to responsible gambling initiatives since its inception over a decade ago, Anna Sainsbury, co-founder and chief executive officer of GeoComply, outlined the industry need for further evidence about the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs.

“We need more data to support the industry’s actions around RG, and I am really happy that we can support the ICRG’s research in this important area,” Sainsbury stated.

Dedicated to promoting responsible gambling practices worldwide, the ICRG is seeking to prevent people from experiencing problem gambling and reduce the harmful impact of excessive gambling on their lives by working closely with governments, regulators and industry stakeholders to promote responsible gambling policies and industry best practices, as well as engaging in research on gambling behavior and the risks of gambling.

The results of the two-year research on self-exclusion programs funded by GeoComply will be published in October 2025.

Last month, the geolocation technology and services provider announced that Super Bowl LVII registered 100 million geolocation checks, with 7.4 million user accounts accessing the service over the weekend and many bettors choosing to wager from the stadium while watching the game.

Also in February, GeoComply saw its patent infringement case against competitor Xpoint dismissed in court after a federal judge ruled GeoComply’s patent invalid, stating that it sought to patent subject matter that cannot be patented.

The post GeoComply Funds ICRG’s Research on Self-Exclusion Programs appeared first on Keno Wizard.