EGBA Compliance Approach Leon Thomas Chair of Compliance & Responsible Gaming Committee, EGBA Head of Regulatory Compliance and Risk, Partygaming EGBA and Responsible Gaming The EGBA strives to promote consistent and comprehensive Standards in relation to responsible gaming in the European online industry: Members are compliant with comprehensive licensing requirements imposed by their EU licensing jurisdictions In addition Members must promote cross border online gaming and betting activities in a highly responsible, secure and safe environment EGBA members have developed and adopted on a voluntary basis a set of ambitious self-imposed stardards to: Stay ahead of slower legal developments Enforce a consistent and high level of consumer protection across Europe EGBA Standards Industry leading Standards: Adopted in 2008 170 comprehensive standards covering all aspects of online gaming and betting activities and associated services Full compliance is part of the EGBA membership criteria Compliance verified by annual audit carried out by leading eCOGRA eCOGRA is reviewed by one of the words leading firms of auditors EGBA Principles Promote Responsible Gambling and Betting Know-Your-Customer and Prevent Underage Gambling and Betting Zero Tolerance of Fraudulent and Criminal Behaviour Protect Customer Privacy and Safeguard Information Prompt and Accurate Customer Payments Rigorous Independent Assessment of Product Randomness and Fairness Ethical and Responsible Marketing Commitment to Customer Satisfaction and Support Responsible Practices Underpinned by a Safe, Secure and Reliable Environment Responsibility permeates our operations Ethical Marketing Controls Bonuses are offered to players in a responsible way they are not targeted towards minors, not directed towards self excluded players etc Ensuring we market ethically advertising guidelines in the EGBA standards, UK and other licensing standards We do not offer credit to customers Responsible Gaming Controls For responsible gaming reasons the imposition of limits does not help the player (around 1% have issues and at varying different levels). This must be customer led. Freely available, prominent and clear information about how to behave responsibly is key. Self limits/exclusion/cool off/ stay in control options tend to be more efficient than strictly imposed limits which tend simply to drive players away Benchmarking study: Objectives Key drivers: Responsible gaming is a long term industry commitment Online environment requires continual and dynamic monitoring EGBA standards revision Appointed eCOGRA in May 2008 to undertake study Aims: To have a better understanding of where EGBA Standards lie in comparison to other industry practices To provide the first fact-based and comparative assessment tool Benchmark Study Methodology Inherent limitations: Only publicly available information assessed Dependent on the completeness and accuracy of the information available May not highlight all possible discrepancies Conducted at a point in time and therefore cannot take into account changes subsequently affected Benchmark Study Methodology The selected 10 monopolies cover 7 EU countries and all extensively promote their responsible gaming standards: Franaise des jeux FrancePari Mutuel Urbain- FranceSvenska Spel SwedenAB Trav och Galopp SwedenWest lotto GermanyLotto Bayern GermanyVeikkaus - FinlandDanske Spil DenmarkDe Lotto/Toto NetherlandsJogos Santa Casa - Portugal Benchmark Results The overall findings of the study indicate that a majority of the EGBA consumer facing practices matched or exceeded the practices adopted by the monopolies Exceeded Practices The main areas where EGBA Members exceeded the practices of the monopolies are: Responsible gaming information and tools Link to assist problem gamblers Filtering programmes Independent mediation of disputes Annual compliance audit Lessons Learned & Conclusion The Benchmark study meant we enhanced our Standards Account history Inactive accounts Pushing the boundaries of best practice is an evolutionary and tireless process Responsible gaming is a long term commitment Working together, helps us help the consumer