How much do lottery operators really case about responsible gambling
One of the major reasons that lotteries exist is to make money. In fact, it might be the only reason they exist. But like any business out there, the lottery industry has more at interest than just making money. They also want to provide an entertaining product and service combined with good customer relations and charity support at a competitive price. Part of that service is to actively embrace and promote responsible gambling.
Responsibility is Mandated
On the one hand, operators are mandated by lottery regulators to provide responsible gambling programs, services, and policies as part of their legal privilege of running a lottery. However, the gaming industry does view responsible gambling as an extremely positive aspect to not only embrace but to fully support and publicize.
There is so much misinformation and myths and legends about lotteries that many players are not only confused about probability and odds but also believe the lottery is rigged in its payout process. This not only contributes to some players spending a bit more than they wanted to but also creating a problem gambling issue in some players getting addicted to the lottery. Quelling these myths and rumours is part of an effective responsible gambling program.
Responsible Gambling initiatives are designed to help the gaming public understand how the lottery works, how results are determined, and provide transparency in the operation of the lottery and the process of paying out wins.
Responsible Gambling brings all this out in a forward, public, and transparent manner. It lets players make informed choices about which, or which not, games to play. Letting players know how the lottery works is part of this. Also, by providing advice and tools to allow players to set budgets and play limits plus other restrictions such as self-exclusion (the voluntary agreement to not allow the operator to let the player buy tickets) helps to keep gambling as a positive entertaining experience.
Operators also strive to create a fun way to showcase smart and healthy lottery playing habits that are engaging and worth the player’s time. Also, by providing services through outside agencies such as public health agencies and gambling addiction phone numbers and websites, and trained lottery staff to listen, respond, and offer assistance if gambling stops being fun or becomes an issue, the operator is being up front in knowing and showing that its business can result in some people becoming addicted and needing help to deal with it.
A Conduct of Care
And they do all this because it is the right thing to do, not just because they are legally required to do so. Actively engaging in a Responsible Gambling program is extremely beneficial for operators to showcase their commitment to doing the right thing for players and the public, and that lottery revenues are sustained for the public good in supporting charities.
Operators ensure that responsible gaming is an integral part of daily operations. They support research initiatives into problem gambling and continuously strive to strike a balance among customer needs and expectations, entertainment value, and revenue with all stakeholders including players, employees, retailers, suppliers, and others. They actually are committed in taking a true interest in meeting their business objectives while also protecting the interests of both patrons and vulnerable groups through a combination of operator self-regulation, government regulation, and individual responsibility. Many operators and regulators sit on boards or act as members in a number of organizations that debate problem gambling in the lottery industry and work to create new and better ways of implementing responsible gambling initiatives.
They also actively seek out and analyze current responsible gambling information, publications, and research. They share this information with stakeholders to develop new research, promote responsible gaming as widely as possible, and try to encourage a better understanding of the social impact of lottery gaming.
To the public they present research and information in a very accurate and balanced way to enable individuals to make informed choices about all of their gaming activities. The more information the public has, the better they will understand gambling. And the better they understand gambling, the easier it is to reduce the number of people who develop bad and sometimes life-changing gambling problems.
The lottery industry, the regulators, nor the players are solely responsible for the problem gambling issue. But by the lottery industry promoting Responsible Gambling and the gaming public being aware of and understanding it, really proves that lottery operators and regulators really do care about gambling problems and responsible gambling and do what they can to help the gambling public understand fully the aspects of buying that lottery ticket each week.