Responsible Index For Providers
If you are familiar with our dedicated way of work, where we prioritize the safety and well-being of our players above all else, then you already know that Gamblers Connect is a fierce advocate for responsible gambling. This approach stems from our undying commitment since day one to create the ultimate iGaming haven that is based on the principle of safety and transparency, an approach that we try to extend to both operators and providers.
This led to the creation of the unique grading system called the Gamblers Connect Responsible Gambling Index, created with the sole purpose of evaluating the safer play practices of the casinos that we promote. Our goal with the Index was to motivate operators to improve their responsible gambling policies, and with that, drastically improve the safety of the players, a crucial segment of online gambling that is vastly neglected.
After the success of the Responsible Gambling Index for casinos inspired a lot of the operators we promote to update their responsible gambling policies and add new safer play features and tools, we felt that it was only right to extend our Index and create the first-ever Responsible Gambling Index specifically for slot providers.
What’s New
On paper, the grading system for slot providers remains the same. We still apply the same strict criteria. We still evaluate providers based on our scoring system which consists of 12 responsible gambling features. And most importantly, we are still uncompromising when it comes to grading the providers regardless of the magnitude of their brand or reputation.
What is new is that, as of now, software providers will be subject to the same responsible gambling testing just as their operator counterparts, something that has never been done before. Being that there is a difference between operators and providers, we also introduced a new set of grades specifically tailored to evaluate the responsible gambling practices of software providers, making the providers’ Index different from the one we apply to the casino operators.
Responsible Gambling for slot providers entails following a set of unwritten rules that are quintessential for the well-being of the players. From partnering with reputable casinos and responsible gambling organizations to integrating advanced safer play tools, we present you with our Responsible Gambling Index for providers.
The Grades
Just like with the casinos, software providers will get a grade that is appropriate to their final score after the evaluation is complete. Moreover, depending on how many responsible gambling tools they have, each of the slot providers will receive one of the grades displayed in the picture above.
It is good to mention that none of the grades is final, as the entire point of this Index is to motivate providers to improve their overall responsible gambling policies. Whenever a provider integrates a new feature, we will gladly improve the overall score and with that, alter the grade accordingly.
The Tools
As we already mentioned above, the grade of the provider will depend on the safer play tools and features that they offer. And while we still use the principle of 12 tools and features, we had to change the essence of the tools as there is a whole new set of rules and regulations specifically for slot providers.
With that being said, the 12 responsible gambling tools that we use to evaluate how responsibly conscious the slot providers of our industry are:
- Regulatory Compliance
Shows the licenses and certificates held by the provider and whether it is a licensed B2B provider of online casino games.
- ISO/IEC
The commitment to delivering customer satisfaction and meeting customer expectations (Certification scope: design, implementation, support of hardware and software solutions for online gambling).
- Certifications (RNG)
Providing services with an official Certification of Random Number Generator (RNG) Evaluation by certified test labs.
- Game Restrictions
Offering API functions to restrict players from various gaming options (e.g. maximum bet in a game, limits, etc.)
- Game Speed
Adjusting and optimizing the speed of the games to ensure player safety (e.g. adjusting delay time between different game rounds)
- Visible Clock
Providing a clock/time display option to help players keep track of how long they are playing and improve time management.
- Reality Check
A pop-up triggered at certain time intervals to remind players to take a break, the amount they have lost and won, etc.
- Self-Exclusion
Allowing customers to put their account on temporary (reversible) hiatus, i.e. self-exclude from gaming.
- Advertising Standards Authority
Guidance on advertising rules for gambling ads and complying with Advertising Standards Authority rulings.
- Corporate Responsibility Sustainability
Complying with benchmarks for social and environmental responsibility and following ESG practices and activities.
- Participation In Studies On The Treatment And Prevention Of Gambling Addiction
Donating and/or participating in research on the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
- Restricting Underage Gambling
Taking action to prevent and/or restrict underage players from playing their games (e.g. displaying a banner)
The Exceptional Badge
As we already stated earlier, while the tools are changed, the grading system remains the same. This means that any provider that has between 11 and 12 responsible gambling tools and features will automatically receive the highest grade in our system, the Exceptional Provider title.
Once the provider receives the Exceptional badge, it will be then displayed below the overall grade of the provider in the review, in addition to being displayed on the main “News” page of Gamblers Connect.
Consequently, getting an Exceptional badge stands as an indicator that the players are dealing with a provider that meets all of the requirements to be considered responsibly conscious.
Pragmatic Play – The First Exceptional Provider
While we are one subject of exceptional software providers, we are thrilled to announce that the first studio that received the Exceptional Badge for outstanding contribution to nurturing a safe and transparent gaming environment is the leading Pragmatic Play!
We would like to use this opportunity to congratulate Pragmatic Play for being the first operator to receive this honour, and with that, kickstart our project. We hope that the exceptional responsible gambling practices showcased by Pragmatic will only further motivate its peers and competitors to reach this level of excellence and create the ultimate iGaming haven for their players.
Final Thoughts
We would like to inform our dear community and the iGaming world that all of the providers that are official partners with Gamblers Connect will be evaluated and appropriately graded until October 15, 2024.
This is because we take our job seriously, and as such, we want to make sure that every provider is evaluated in the utmost transparent and fair manner, thus giving you real feedback and exactly how responsibly conscious is each of the providers we promote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the point of the Responsible Gambling Index?
The idea behind the Gamblers Connect Responsible Gambling Index is to motivate operators and providers to improve their responsible gambling policies and increase the safety of the players.
How many tools does the Responsible Gambling Index have?
The Responsible Gambling Index is based on 12 tools and features that each provider must have. Based on how many tools the provider has, it receives an appropriate grade from our scoring system.
What are the grades of the Index?
There are 5 grades in the Responsible Gambling Index and they include Poor, Concern, Average, Good, and Exceptional.
What are the 12 tools for responsible gambling?
The 12 responsible gambling tools for providers are regulatory compliance, ISO/IEC, certifications, game restrictions, game restrictions, visible clock, reality check, self-exclusion, advertising, corporate responsibility, participation in gambling addiction studies and restricting underage gambling.
What happens if a provider has all 12 tools?
If a provider scores the highest Exceptional grade (must have between 11 and 12 tools), then it gets the prestigious Exceptional badge for outstanding responsible gambling practices.
