- Joined
- Feb 14, 2007
- Location
- Cyberspace
All too often we see the term ‘Responsible Gambling’ being used by Casino’s. But have we really taken the time to analyse the exact role they play in promoting ‘True’ responsible gambling? The online industry is actually a different beast compared to Brick and Mortar Casinos. In some jurisdictions, it is against the law to promote gambling on TV or by other means. B&M Casinos are also restricted from enticing players to gamble by offering match bonuses or free credits.
Over the years I have noted a few scenarios which are not in the best interest of responsible gambling. As long as the industry is unregulated (and Casinos are pretty much self regulated in certain areas), these little scenarios will bring them plenty of added profits and actually defeats the true spirit of responsible gambling in its entirety.
I will put forward a few examples and although it seems some scenarios may look like a ‘Benefit to Players’ the actual reason is clear (to me at least). This post takes no bias towards any Software provider and intends no malice to any Casino.
Microgaming
I love the software and I firmly believe that there is no equal to them. However:
Recent developments like Thunderstruck II are actually intended for players to chase achievements. Whilst this may seem harmless, achieving those come at a great cost to the player. In order to unlock features such as free spins, players are enticed to continue playing for rewards, The reward at the end is actually not as great as it is hyped up to be.
Newer games such as Retro Reels and Reel Gems are another beast. They entice players to bet OVER their usual betting patterns in order to reap quick and fast rewards. If you are not a seasoned player and don’t watch your bankroll, you may end up out of pocket and betting above your head faster than you intended.
Tournaments are designed to benefit players with the biggest bankroll. 99 Continues and 50 rebuys hardly supports the philosophy of responsible gambling and entices players in the top half to chase the ultimate award – 1st prize.
Real Time Gaming
A somewhat controversial software in some quarters, specifically with the amount of rogue operations and ‘catchy’ terms and conditions. I must admit, they have a nice variety of games, but often clatter their operations with too much red tape – all in favour of them.
The case that always sticks in my mind is the ‘Student’ fiasco that played out over 100 pages a month or two ago. I cannot fathom how the Casino intended to promote responsible gambling whilst NOT being considerate of the unemployed and pensioners. It was a pitiful excuse in my honest opinion and responsible gambling was used as a scape goat but the intention to safe guard anyone was never really there.
Another gimmick by RTG operators is the inability to flush withdrawals. This is actually enticing the player to come back and reverse the withdrawal. The fact that they will not accept a withdrawal until the time that you are ‘Verified’ is pitiful. All too often, I have seen players complain about the inability to withdraw (because they are not verified) or the withdrawal staying in a ‘pending’ state until such time that it is approved. This in my personal opinion is enticing ‘another run’ and ultimately aimed at players playing out withdrawals before they are processed. Remember, this is in the interest of ALL Gamblers. Many have stronger will power than others… other fall to temptation easily. Do I blame them…? NO… Casinos are aware of this and will use this to their benefit.
A recent introduction by some Casinos of minimum deposits ($45 and more) and minimum withdrawals of $100 plus is typical of the industries stance on responsible gambling.
Another development is that of increasing the minimum bet over 400% on player accounts. This again, is not in the interest of responsible gambling, but in the interest of the Casinos pocket. How are they actually able to determine WHO can afford to play at those stakes??
3Dice
3Dice is a unique software provider with excellent games and service second to none.
A recent introduction of newer games and functions has caught my attention. Ching Ching may be a great game for some; however it is right up the alley of Thunderstruck II. The game entices players to chase the feature by completing a puzzle, and more often than not is not actually worth the time and effort. Whilst just like Thunderstruck II - a BIG hit can occur at any time but players often want to get to the main feature and end up spending more that they actually should.
Another neat feature introduced by 3Dice is the ‘Rainy Day Funds’. When I first played there, I was FULLY supportive of it. I mean which Casino offers an advance to players and asks them to pay it when they withdraw (Or even not at all if you close your account). I found myself using those funds when I had exceeded my Credit Card limits for the day or when I wanted to play and wasn’t able to deposit. Whilst some players regard this as a positive step, I for one am now against it. Being on a higher VIP level means that you receive more rainy day funds. The problem comes in when you never make a withdrawal or are having bad luck and stay away. Loyalty levels decrease and the ‘I owe You’ sticks behind. Players are then actually literally forced into trying to win more in order to cover their Rainy Day Funds and take the balance as a withdrawal. This may not impact you on $10 or $20… but once you have outstanding rainy day funds of $250 upwards, your cash out goal increases and you more than often end up losing trying to cover those funds up.
Live Wins being published in Chat are another great Idea from 3Dice. Well, kinda… The general belief is that people are winning all the time. It entices the people in chat to play when they see these hits coming through. It is not indicative of the reality (that X lost $500 to win $172.50) and is misleading in general.
Vegas Technology
A variety of games, but tends to have the same feel to all of them. Worth a shot I thought….
I first signed up a couple months ago. Made a few deposits and decided to try the software out. Seeing that my first deposit was $500 I checked to see whether I was able to withdraw a ‘Decent Amount’. To my dismay, Moneybookers was listed as having a MAX withdrawal of $500 per week. What got to me was the fact that you could deposit as much as you wanted via Moneybookers but could only withdraw $500. I was not going to accept this, so I contacted live help. The rep actually tried to make me deposit MORE in order to up my withdrawal limits. Nevertheless, I started a thread about this and the limits were revised. How many other individuals were actually coaxed into depositing more to increase their withdrawal limits? Responsible Gambling… my SHOE!!!
Rival
I played this platform for a short while. I enjoyed the games and didn’t have any issues.
I recently saw a few posts about Rival Casinos offering bonuses on reversed withdrawals? Surely, this is not in the spirit of responsible gambling?
Your Experiences
I have highlighted just a few scenarios which come to mind. Whilst there may be conflicting opinions about my post, the scenarios I have highlighted are definitely NOT in the spirit of responsible gambling... Call it a marketing tool or a feature, the ultimate goal is to increase play.
I have not played on every platform and would appreciate if you could share your experience of any scenario you are aware of, or believe to be against the Responsible Gambling Philosophy.
Nate
Over the years I have noted a few scenarios which are not in the best interest of responsible gambling. As long as the industry is unregulated (and Casinos are pretty much self regulated in certain areas), these little scenarios will bring them plenty of added profits and actually defeats the true spirit of responsible gambling in its entirety.
I will put forward a few examples and although it seems some scenarios may look like a ‘Benefit to Players’ the actual reason is clear (to me at least). This post takes no bias towards any Software provider and intends no malice to any Casino.
Microgaming
I love the software and I firmly believe that there is no equal to them. However:
Recent developments like Thunderstruck II are actually intended for players to chase achievements. Whilst this may seem harmless, achieving those come at a great cost to the player. In order to unlock features such as free spins, players are enticed to continue playing for rewards, The reward at the end is actually not as great as it is hyped up to be.
Newer games such as Retro Reels and Reel Gems are another beast. They entice players to bet OVER their usual betting patterns in order to reap quick and fast rewards. If you are not a seasoned player and don’t watch your bankroll, you may end up out of pocket and betting above your head faster than you intended.
Tournaments are designed to benefit players with the biggest bankroll. 99 Continues and 50 rebuys hardly supports the philosophy of responsible gambling and entices players in the top half to chase the ultimate award – 1st prize.
Real Time Gaming
A somewhat controversial software in some quarters, specifically with the amount of rogue operations and ‘catchy’ terms and conditions. I must admit, they have a nice variety of games, but often clatter their operations with too much red tape – all in favour of them.
The case that always sticks in my mind is the ‘Student’ fiasco that played out over 100 pages a month or two ago. I cannot fathom how the Casino intended to promote responsible gambling whilst NOT being considerate of the unemployed and pensioners. It was a pitiful excuse in my honest opinion and responsible gambling was used as a scape goat but the intention to safe guard anyone was never really there.
Another gimmick by RTG operators is the inability to flush withdrawals. This is actually enticing the player to come back and reverse the withdrawal. The fact that they will not accept a withdrawal until the time that you are ‘Verified’ is pitiful. All too often, I have seen players complain about the inability to withdraw (because they are not verified) or the withdrawal staying in a ‘pending’ state until such time that it is approved. This in my personal opinion is enticing ‘another run’ and ultimately aimed at players playing out withdrawals before they are processed. Remember, this is in the interest of ALL Gamblers. Many have stronger will power than others… other fall to temptation easily. Do I blame them…? NO… Casinos are aware of this and will use this to their benefit.
A recent introduction by some Casinos of minimum deposits ($45 and more) and minimum withdrawals of $100 plus is typical of the industries stance on responsible gambling.
Another development is that of increasing the minimum bet over 400% on player accounts. This again, is not in the interest of responsible gambling, but in the interest of the Casinos pocket. How are they actually able to determine WHO can afford to play at those stakes??
3Dice
3Dice is a unique software provider with excellent games and service second to none.
A recent introduction of newer games and functions has caught my attention. Ching Ching may be a great game for some; however it is right up the alley of Thunderstruck II. The game entices players to chase the feature by completing a puzzle, and more often than not is not actually worth the time and effort. Whilst just like Thunderstruck II - a BIG hit can occur at any time but players often want to get to the main feature and end up spending more that they actually should.
Another neat feature introduced by 3Dice is the ‘Rainy Day Funds’. When I first played there, I was FULLY supportive of it. I mean which Casino offers an advance to players and asks them to pay it when they withdraw (Or even not at all if you close your account). I found myself using those funds when I had exceeded my Credit Card limits for the day or when I wanted to play and wasn’t able to deposit. Whilst some players regard this as a positive step, I for one am now against it. Being on a higher VIP level means that you receive more rainy day funds. The problem comes in when you never make a withdrawal or are having bad luck and stay away. Loyalty levels decrease and the ‘I owe You’ sticks behind. Players are then actually literally forced into trying to win more in order to cover their Rainy Day Funds and take the balance as a withdrawal. This may not impact you on $10 or $20… but once you have outstanding rainy day funds of $250 upwards, your cash out goal increases and you more than often end up losing trying to cover those funds up.
Live Wins being published in Chat are another great Idea from 3Dice. Well, kinda… The general belief is that people are winning all the time. It entices the people in chat to play when they see these hits coming through. It is not indicative of the reality (that X lost $500 to win $172.50) and is misleading in general.
Vegas Technology
A variety of games, but tends to have the same feel to all of them. Worth a shot I thought….
I first signed up a couple months ago. Made a few deposits and decided to try the software out. Seeing that my first deposit was $500 I checked to see whether I was able to withdraw a ‘Decent Amount’. To my dismay, Moneybookers was listed as having a MAX withdrawal of $500 per week. What got to me was the fact that you could deposit as much as you wanted via Moneybookers but could only withdraw $500. I was not going to accept this, so I contacted live help. The rep actually tried to make me deposit MORE in order to up my withdrawal limits. Nevertheless, I started a thread about this and the limits were revised. How many other individuals were actually coaxed into depositing more to increase their withdrawal limits? Responsible Gambling… my SHOE!!!
Rival
I played this platform for a short while. I enjoyed the games and didn’t have any issues.
I recently saw a few posts about Rival Casinos offering bonuses on reversed withdrawals? Surely, this is not in the spirit of responsible gambling?
Your Experiences
I have highlighted just a few scenarios which come to mind. Whilst there may be conflicting opinions about my post, the scenarios I have highlighted are definitely NOT in the spirit of responsible gambling... Call it a marketing tool or a feature, the ultimate goal is to increase play.
I have not played on every platform and would appreciate if you could share your experience of any scenario you are aware of, or believe to be against the Responsible Gambling Philosophy.
Nate