British gambling companies are deploying the new piece of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their electronic gaming machines as part of the newly proposed measure aimed at detecting problem gambling behaviour and helping customers who may be having troubles with compulsive gambling.
The new software, called the Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) tracks the player’s behaviour and tries to find any evidence of them chasing losses or demonstrating any other sign of gambling addiction, including too much time spent on the machine. The algorithm has been only recently introduced by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) as a measure to help the Government and the country’s regulatory authorities deal with compulsive gambling behaviour amid rising concerns that problem gambling rates in the UK are increasing, especially among young people.
@RGWeek19 was a great period for industry leaders, charities and staff to come together and talk about responsible gambling. @BrigidSimmonds explains some of the important takeaways and actions for the future. https://t.co/ZyZ89fzox1
— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) November 18, 2019
As Casino Guardian reported last week, the algorithm proposed by the BGC is set to constantly monitor the player’s behaviour and track any signs of risky behaviour. If it finds any proof of compulsive gambling, the algorithm triggers a special “cooling-off period” of at least 30 seconds to stop the addictive gambling series of the player and give them some time to realise what is happening, with warnings about safe and responsible gambling displayed on the machine’s screen. Betting shop managers and staff are also to be notified about the potentially problematic gambling session of the player.
According to the interim chief executive officer of the BGC, Wes Himes, the measure would help the industry raise its standards and share the best practice of gambling that is both safe and responsible. In his opinion, the newly-introduced cooling-off periods could be the thing that could help restore public trust in the sector.
New Cooling-Off Periods Would Be Available in All Betting Shops in the UK
The new algorithm that would trigger so-called “cooling-off periods” is set to be introduced on all gambling terminals across the UK. Currently, there are 8,500 betting shops in the country, including the ones run by the largest local bookmakers – Flutter Entertainment’s Paddy Power, GVC Holding’s Ladbrokes and William Hill.
As revealed by a spokesman of the Betting and Gaming Council, the algorithm monitors a number of factors to determine whether or not a certain player is exposed at risk of experiencing gambling-related harm.
Apart from the algorithm, the betting companies are set to roll out a separate mandatory automatic alert that is activated when a person has spent 20 minutes on an electronic gaming machine. That would force them to take a break for at least 20 seconds to “cool off” their heads, while the staff working in the betting shop would be also alerted.
The new measure that is being officially introduced in the betting shop network across the country has been backed by the bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, who has long been involved in campaigns against gambling and gambling-related harm. According to him, the cooling-off periods are only the first step in the more proactive measures unveiled in local betting outlets. He, however, shared some doubts that 20- and 30-second breaks may be too short to actually make a difference and insisted that an independent academic review of the effectiveness of the new measure should be initiated.
- Author
Olivia Cole
