Responsible Gambling What it is and Why it mat.ppt

1、Responsible Gambling: What it is and Why it matters,Presentation by Prof Peter Collins University of Salford Hong Kong October 2009,Overview,Does Asia, in general, and Macao, in particular, need a Responsible Gambling Programme? “Responsible Gambling” A contradiction in terms or an unnecessary excus

2、e for paternalism? Consumer choice and consumer protection, the core principles “Informed choice,” the core concept Three ideal types: those with actual gambling-related problems; those at risk because they currently gamble; those who might gamble Practical implications for Asia Latest developments,

3、Problem Gambling in Asia,Asian destinations are essentially tourist destinations so the problem gamblers go home and cease to be the local jurisdictions (Gentings, Macaos etc problem (cp Nevada). Hence not much interest in problem gambling But Asian culture is more anti-gambling on ethical grounds t

4、han Western culture However, where measured using Chinese SOGS Asian rates of problem gambling (4%+ of adults) are much higher than in the West (1%-) This is probably not due to any inherently greater predisposition to problem gambling amongst Asians, especially Chinese (Cp South African Indians) It

5、 is more likely to be associated with levels of development (Cp South African Lottery players) So Asia objectively needs a responsible gambling programme now and will come under increasing political pressure to develop one as legal gambling expands and as more and more jurisdictions world-wide devel

6、op such programmes The threat is that licenses will be subject to draconian restrictions (cp Singapore and technology) and permits to come to Macao will be restricted,What is “Responsible Gambling?”: A Contradiction in terms?,A contradiction like “responsible prostitution” or “responsible” indulgenc

7、e in any “vice”? For many people “Yes” because indulgence in vice is always irresponsible No matter what constraints are placed by governments on suppliers and consumers of commercial gambling services some people will always think that, at best, this is only preferable to complete prohibition becau

8、se prohibition is impracticable even though prohibition is what would be the most desirable state of affairs The essential fact about gambling, and what makes it exceptionally difficult to develop and implement sensible public policy for, is that it is widely thought of as a vice i.e. an activity wh

9、ich typically many people enjoy a lot and many people (sometimes the same people) consider to be immoral.,What is “Responsible Gambling?”: An Excuse for Paternalism,Compare “responsible gambling” with “responsible golfing” or any other leisure activity not considered a “vice” like eating cakes A min

10、ority over-indulge and do harm to themselves and their families But thats not the governments business And we dont think we need conferences on responsible golfing and cake-eating or national responsible golf and cake strategies,What is “Responsible Gambling” as far as Industry and Governments are c

11、oncerned?,In societies where gambling is legal, some people wish it werent because they think it immoral or dangerous or both; others see no difference between gambling and any other form of entertainment which people may choose to spend time and money enjoying; most think it should not be wholly fo

12、rbidden to those who enjoy it but also that its not as harmless as playing golf or eating cake Therefore we should have some but not too much legal, commercial gambling and what there is should be: - regulated responsibly - supplied responsibly - consumed responsibly This makes “responsible gambling

13、” a concept which cannot be precisely, scientifically or otherwise objectively defined because what is to be meant by it in any particular context is open to negotiation and will express a political compromise or consensus Because of this what counts as “responsible gambling” at any particular time

14、is always unstable and never pleases everyone So the main function of responsible gambling policies, programmes and practices, from the point of view of government and industry, is to sustain the support of public opinion for current policies and enable them to rebut publicly voiced criticisms of cu

15、rrent or proposed policies Though political and commercial competitors will have different notions about what policies and practices should count as responsible reflecting their competing commercial and political interests (e.g. resort casinos and local vs national governments, established industry

16、versus new entrants),So What is “Responsible Gambling?” in Practice?,“Responsible gambling” can usefully be used to refer to any set of policies, programmes and/or practices which maximally reduces the likelihood that people will harm themselves or others by spending too much time or money gambling,

17、 while minimally inhibiting the ability of those who wish to gamble harmlessly from doing so This means that implementing responsible gambling measures is a matter of promoting not only consumer protection but also consumer choice (Budd, Eadington, Forrest, new proposed internet legislation in USA,

18、“consumer surplus” and more fun),Relating the Two Principles,Sometimes the principle of consumer choice conflicts with the principle of consumer protection and compromises must be made E.g. How much should we curtail the freedom on non-problem gamblers in the hope of protecting problem gamblers from

19、 themselves? (Issues of availability, limits on stakes and prizes, responsible gambling features etc) The principle of proportionality and other principles of good regulation are needed here (compare: speed limits) But sometimes the promotion of consumer choice and consumer protection reinforce each

20、 other as when people are addicted or ignorant of what they are doing,Problem Gambling and Informed Choice,Gambling is “problematic” in the sense of requiring action by governments, by industry and or by treatment and prevention specialists when: - Either the gambler is addicted in the sense that he

21、 or she would like to stop or cut down but cant (for whatever reason) - Or the gambler would cut down or stop gambling if they knew relevant facts about the gambling they are engaging in but which they do not know In these cases the consumer is neither able to exercise free choice nor is adequately

22、protected by government from exploitation and deception by suppliers Conversely, gambling is unproblematic when players are exercising informed choice, i.e. are genuinely free to choose because not behaving compulsively, and know enough about what they are doing,So Who Needs Protection and Liberatio

23、n? Three Ideal Types,Those who currently gamble and create problems for themselves and others through gambling too much because they are addicted or ignorant of what they are doing Those who currently gamble unproblematically but might develop problems in the future Those who currently dont gamble b

24、ut might in the future and who, if they do will need to be able to avoid gambling problematically,What Responsible Gambling Measures need to be in place for the current problem gambler?,Information that there is such a thing as problem gambling (?50%+ of problem gamblers dont. Most GPs and PCTs dont

25、) Information that free, confidential and expert help is available Information about how to access this easily and with minimum difficulty Facilities for contacting a suitably sympathetic and knowledgeable counsellor preferably immediately, i.e. on impulse Facilities for accessing further free, conf

26、idential and expert help with gambling problems in one-on-one sessions, in groups, by telephone or internet Facilities for accessing such help with related matters such as - comorbidities: other psychological disorders such as substance abuse, depression or anxiety disorders - employment issues - de

27、bt and money management - family and other personal relationships,What Responsible Gambling Measures need to be in place for the current non-problem gambler?,Reinforcement of the message that gambling ought to be a form of entertainment for which you pay by accepting the House Advantage Understandin

28、g how games work and generate House Advantage Not being exposed to features of games or the environment which mislead about the chances of winning or otherwise undermine the ability to exercise rational control (e.g. play for play on internet, columns with past numbers at roulette, encouragement to

29、get intoxicated etc) Access to warning signs about the possible onset of problem gambling Access to information about what to do if you think you have a problem,What Responsible Gambling Measures need to be in place for the current non-gamblers?,Access to a general understanding that gambling can be

30、 dangerous Access to information about what you can do to avoid getting into trouble if you do take up gambling (budgeting etc) Access to information about how to identify and help someone else who is in trouble as a result of problem gambling,What else needs to be done? Educating Professionals,Most

31、 obviously, the professionals likely to encounter people, some or most of whose problems derive from excessive or compulsive gambling, need to be informed - as part of their continuing professional development - about the nature of problem gambling, how to identify it and what to do about it The gro

32、up of professionals at present most scandalously lacking in this knowledge is the medical profession But social workers, law enforcement personnel, ministers of religion, bank managers etc all need to understand this phenomenon,What else needs to be done? Developing an extensive and trustworthy know

33、ledge base,Everyone, everywhere laments the absence of knowledge about how best to prevent and treat problem gambling, mainly because of inadequate scientific understanding of the causes, character and consequences of this phenomenon Hence need for growing the capacity for good research around the w

34、orld, collating the efforts and findings of researchers and disseminating it to all interested parties This requires centres of excellence in gambling studies which collaborate with each other to which scholars working on any aspect of gambling studies, nationally and internationally would be affili

35、ated This would mean that - all interested parties, including public officials (ministers, civil servants, parliamentarians, regulators, local councillors and officers), industry managers, the media, treatment and prevention professionals, other professionals and the general public could make inquir

36、ies about any aspect of gambling studies and - be confident of getting an answer, in user-friendly form, which reflected the honest views of the best researchers in the area relying on the best available evidence The alternative is to leave the shaping of public opinion to those who are unscrupulous

37、 in their use of evidence to further ideological, political, commercial or self-glorificatory agendas,Some New Developments,Increasing investigation of the distinction between addicted and non-addicted problem gamblers Increasing Recognition of need to address comorbidities in treatment Emphasis on

38、Consumer Protection rather than on “Protecting the Vulnerable” Increasing understanding by industry and government of the link between profits (and therefore taxability), public opinion and credible responsible gambling strategies Increasing awareness of the need for all concerned with responsible gambling to collaborate rather than compete,A Concluding Prediction,We have a