How do Online Casinos handle problem gambling?

**rowmare** · 17th August 2006, 06:27 PM

I would like to know how online casinos react when they detect problem gambling behaviour in their casinos.

Which casinos monitor for such behaviour and take steps to curtail a problem gambler's activity in their casinos?

Conversely, which casinos monitor for such behaviour and take steps to encourage such players to keep on playing.

**tencardcharlie** · 17th August 2006, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by rowmare

I would like to know how online casinos react when they detect problem gambling behaviour in their casinos.

Like this:

Originally Posted by rowmare

Which casinos monitor for such behaviour and take steps to curtail a problem gambler's activity in their casinos?

Conversely, which casinos monitor for such behaviour and take steps to encourage such players to keep on playing.

I don't think many casinos monitor this at all. Some of the more reputable may do this, but most casinos I don't think even have the competence to do this. After all, how are they supposed to distinguish a problem gambler from a guy with too much money to spend?

I think I remember some guy being contacted by 32 red and encouraged to set a deposit limit though

But I'm not sure

**tennis_balls** · 17th August 2006, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by rowmare

I would like to know how online casinos react when they detect problem gambling behaviour in their casinos.

most will increase your deposit limit so you have a chance to get even

**Casinomeister** · 17th August 2006, 09:09 PM

Most of your reputable casinos - 32Red, Trident Lounge, etc., watch for out of the ordinary depositing or playing behaviour. It's tough though, since how is a casino expected to know how much is too much? Some players pooh pooh the thought of losing $10,000 a month; some players are in serious shit by merely losing $50.

On the other hand, I'm sure there are a number of clip shot joints that target these type of players. The casinos that account to no one should be seriously avoided. Problem gamblers are in danger there.

**silcnlayc** · 17th August 2006, 09:18 PM

I kow that Aus Vegas and Lasseters will ban you permenantly if you ask them to and it will take a letter from your doctor to get you back in which is hilarious to me since I got so pissed playing there one day,

I hit ban me so I wouldn't be tempted to play there ever again, then regretted it a few months later, and now I need a doctors note saying I am not a compulsive gambler sent to the gaming commission to get back in...ahh well, live and learn.

At least they do stand by what they say and no if's and's or but's..period. They won't even allow fun play once you ban yourself...

**sjack827** · 17th August 2006, 09:27 PM

I don't think they can detect "problem gambling". A couple of years ago I emailed King Neptunes and told them to close my account and not contact me again. They didn't contact me at all but months later I was able to log in without a problem.

Recently I've closed accounts with Firepay, Citadel and yesterday Click2pay. Firepay told me they will not re open another account with me and Click2pay said they will honor my request to block any attempts to open another account with them. I have to write a letter to get Citadel to re open my account with them. They seem better equiped to handle the problem gambler rather than the casino since they actually handle the monies involved. There was no problem closing these accounts and all of them seemed to understand.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but this is a timely subject with me since I myself am a problem gambler and have had to take steps to limit my ability to gamble online. One cannot count on the casino's -- no matter how reputable -- to do this for them. They can't. If a person is determined to gamble online that is what they will do and there are 100's of online casinos at which to do just that. In my case my credit cards do no work so I had to use my bank accounts to deposit monies -- with disastrous results.

Almost 2 years ago I was having the same problems except my financial situation was even more desperate. After attending GA meetings, being "clean" for over 1 1/2 years and getting back on my feet financially, I stupidly believed that I could "handle" gambling again (both online and off). Well, now I know that I cannot place a single bet anymore than an alcoholic can take a single drink -- the whole thing starts up again and ends up the same way. I do not blame the casinos or anyone else; deep down inside I knew what I was doing but I did it anyway.

I honestly love gambling and online gambling was just great. I didn't have to drive hours to a land casino and the games/payouts seemed fair. I could do this in the privacy of my own home. I am not knocking gambling online or landbased; I think it is great entertainment and the software will only get better. I just can't seem to handle it though and I know that there are others who can't either. But I do not believe that the online operators have the ability to detect a problem gambler nor the responsibility for helping them if they themselves don't ask for help.

**rowmare** · 17th August 2006, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by silcnlayc

I kow that Aus Vegas and Lasseters will ban you permenantly if you ask them to and it will take a letter from your doctor to get you back in which is hilarious to me since I got so pissed playing there one day,

I hit ban me so I wouldn't be tempted to play there ever again, then regretted it a few months later, and now I need a doctors note saying I am not a compulsive gambler sent to the gaming commission to get back in...ahh well, live and learn.

LoL, that's great how they stick by their rules when somebody with a gambling problem/addiction has the wherewithall to be proactive. Can you imagine making a Dr. appointment to get that note?

sjack827, thanks for your post. It was very informative and I admire how you accept responsibility for your own actions. It's far more common to hear people blame everyone else and their dogs and their dogs fleas!

Yes, this very hepful information - which casinos back up their own responsible gambling initiatives.

I have the uncomfortabe suspicion that a lot of casinos actually bait anybody who deposits and loses large sums regularly, regardless if their activity indicates gambling addiction.

Anybody know if the Vegas or Reno casinos have any measures for their customers?

**spearmaster** · 17th August 2006, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by sjack827

I don't think they can detect "problem gambling". A couple of years ago I emailed King Neptunes and told them to close my account and not contact me again. They didn't contact me at all but months later I was able to log in without a problem.

I would like to hear more about this if you don't mind. I would think that if a casino closed an account, it should not be so easily reopened. And I am quite sure that the operator would like to ascertain how this happened as well as she is one of the original operators to promote responsible gambling.

Recently I've closed accounts with Firepay, Citadel and yesterday Click2pay. Firepay told me they will not re open another account with me and Click2pay said they will honor my request to block any attempts to open another account with them. I have to write a letter to get Citadel to re open my account with them. They seem better equiped to handle the problem gambler rather than the casino since they actually handle the monies involved. There was no problem closing these accounts and all of them seemed to understand.

Actually, this is a very, very good method as it blocks your funding methods - definitely more effective than trying to block yourself at individual casinos.

I do not believe that the online operators have the ability to detect a problem gambler nor the responsibility for helping them if they themselves don't ask for help.

To some extent, they surely must have some method of detecting problematic play - if they can "detect" a bonus abuser, they should also be able to recognize potential problems, though I will definitely agree that detecting problem gambling would be a much harder task.

But I really like your idea of going straight to the funding methods. I hope you're already planning to do the same with Neteller.

**sjack827** · 17th August 2006, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by spearmaster

I would like to hear more about this if you don't mind. I would think that if a casino closed an account, it should not be so easily reopened. And I am quite sure that the operator would like to ascertain how this happened as well as she is one of the original operators to promote responsible gambling.

I don't believe that my account with KN was actually ever closed. They just didn't email me or tried to contact me. When I logged back in over a year later it was as I used the original account number/password.

**jetset** · 18th August 2006, 06:18 AM

I admire your discipline sJack827, and your recognition of your problem and the determined way in which you have fought it.

However, I'm surprised that you had a problem with King Neptune's because the management there have been particularly proactive in this field before many other online gambling operations, even going to the extent of hiring a qualified counsellor (who was himself a former problem gambler) In my experience the KN people take this very seriously and if you "fell through the cracks" in not being blocked after you requested it I'm sure they would want to follow up on it. PM me if you wish and I'll bring it to their attention.

I would agree with Spear's comment that excluding yourself from the financial channels is a very effective way to combat this problem if a player is really determined.

In answer to the initial question that started this thread I should also note that the 107 eCOGRA registered online casinos are all required to have a "Responsible Gaming" page on their sites which has to contain:

1) Self-diagnostic questions framed by a leading organisation in this field so that gamblers who think they may have a problem can run a personal and private check.

2) Self-exclusion facilities

3) Reference links to reputable problem gambling facilities

In addition, the casinos and poker rooms involved in eCOGRA are required to have staff trained or refreshed at regular intervals through courses which are run for them by the G4 responsible gaming outfit.

Edited to add that sJack827's observation that problem gamblers who are determined to gamble will go to extraordinary lengths to do so is probably correct, which is why it is so important that casinos help those who have finally realised that they cannot fight the urge on their own.