Responsible Gambling Measures at Euro 2024

The European Football Championships take place every four years and bring together the top footballing countries in Europe. They battle it out over a month to find out which country has the best football team in Europe. This is a football tournament that has gained a lot of attention from around the globe, and gamblers love to place wagers. This year, various organisations and regulatory bodies have implemented enhanced responsible gambling measures to ensure that all players, including those using non-GamStop bookmakers that offer various betting options, can maintain healthy habits and enjoy a safe gaming environment.

Netherlands

If we take a look at the Netherlands, The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has put in place (Don't Play Games With Your Money.) The idea of a campaign like this is aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds to educate them on the dangers of gambling. This type of initiative has the goal of preventing vulnerable gamblers who are between the ages of 18 and 24 from falling into gambling addiction. There are many useful resources available to 18-year-olds who want to learn about responsible gambling. Many of the resources are provided by Loket Kansspel, which aims to assist those looking for help in taming their gambling behaviour.

The KSA has also been in contact with various gambling operators to make clear that they also have a responsibility when it comes to advertising. Gambling operators must follow regulations when it comes to marketing responsible gambling practices. When there is a collaboration between players, regulators and operators, responsible gambling habits can be formed.

France

If we take a look at France and the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), they have collaborated with a huge marketing company called Rosbeef to begin a responsible gambling initiative. The aim is to offer knowledge to the public about excessive gambling and all the risks that come with that type of behaviour. The idea is to help gamblers become responsible for their actions and practise safe and responsible betting habits. The ANJ has decided to highlight the plight of gamblers who have fallen into gambling addiction. This is done through hard-hitting advertisements. These types of real stories illustrate the negative effects of excessive gambling and get viewers' attention.

GamCare

As the European Championships are in full effect, GamCare has urged its employers to assist vulnerable gamblers. The support staff have been told to help every gambler through this tournament as there will be high volumes of gambling. The company has created safe spaces for employees to discuss any issues regarding addiction. They provide services like the National Gambling Helpline. The GamCare company has started a five-step plan for its employees to begin; these include adding new HR policies as well as educating managers to help at-risk employees.

Kindred

This company has a strong commitment to gamblers' safety through the Journey Towards Zero initiative. This is a program that uses the latest advanced technology with data to improve player safety and reduce gambling problems. Kindred uses various techniques, which include advanced tools that can detect and identify at-risk behaviours. Once these are detected, the Kindred team will intervene, which has already led to an 87% improvement. When there are big sporting tournaments like Euro 2024, the gambling volume increases greatly, with millions of people betting.

Looking back at the World Cup in 2022, Kindred saw there was an increase in gamblers using voluntary safer gambling tools. Before the World Cup started in 2022, 45% of gamblers had a control tool on their account. After the World Cup, the voluntary control tool increased to 57%. They also have a Player Safety Early Detection System in place, which has helped clients with responsible gambling practices, especially those aged 25 or younger. Kindred focuses on improving and having a positive impact on users through its data analytics.

It is possible to use data to discover the habits of each and every gambler online. This is very different to people who drink alcohol; it is far more challenging to get accurate data on alcohol use. With online gambling, the data is collected every time someone logs in, making it easier to implement strategies to assist those in need. Kindred aims to tackle those with issues accurately, offering them all the support they require. But Kindred also recognises the importance of not disturbing those players who gamble responsibly.

Final Thoughts

As the European Football Championships roll into top gear, there are many different implementations that are there to protect gamblers. Various countries and organisations have provided options for gamblers who feel they need assistance. In the Netherlands and France, they are putting a lot of effort into educating younger individuals on the risks of online gambling. All of these initiatives and organisations aim to keep betting fun and enjoyable while keeping individuals safe.