Responsible gaming and security tools have been created to promote a healthier betting environment.

If they notice any risky behavior, gamblers can use resources that help reduce the frequency of gambling or even stop the activity.

Furthermore, the community as a whole can have access to security tools that protect the bookmaker from attacks aimed at stealing players’ personal data.

In this lesson, we will explore both features that encourage player responsibility and those that protect it :

• Deposit limits;
• Self-exclusion;
• Activity alerts;
• Definition of pause;
• Protection of minors;
• Bettor support;
• Educational materials;
• SSL and HTTPS certificates;
• Identity verification.

When can gambling go too far?

Gamblers Anonymous has established a list of warning signs that indicate possible out-of-control behavior related to sports betting.

In the primer, we find situations such as:

• Betting incessantly, exceeding previously defined financial limits;
• Experiencing discomfort, anxiety and distress when not gambling or when considering stopping gambling;
• Demonstrate excessive concern about the act of gambling;
• Causing harm in professional, family, financial and emotional spheres due to participation in betting;
• Avoid talking about sports betting with family and friends, due to embarrassment related to losses and emotional instability;
• Taking out financial loans to compensate for betting losses or to continue betting.

In the survey mapping the behavior of Brazilian gamblers, produced by Aposta Legal Brasil in partnership with Opinion Box, it was found that 37% of people lost more money than they had planned.

The data also shows that 28% noticed anxious behaviors associated with gambling. 8% incurred debts related to sports betting.

These numbers highlight the importance of bookmakers creating tools capable of helping people who, for some reason, have gone beyond their limits and need help.

What measures do bookmakers take to promote responsible gaming?

Responsible Gaming is a practice increasingly encouraged by bookmakers.

Brands have been working on implementing tools that aim to encourage healthy sports betting, such as setting financial and time limits.

Below, we mention the main tools, with visual examples taken from the Betano website .

At most bookmakers, you can find these Responsible Gaming features within the account preferences tab.

Deposit limits

As the name suggests, this tool allows the player to define maximum amounts of how much they can deposit over a period of time.

We are talking about one of the main measures taken by houses to prevent players from depositing money while they are going through moments of loss of control.

After setting the limits, the bookmaker will monitor account activity and prevent deposits of amounts higher than the defined amount.

The tool can also be useful for people who are not necessarily engaging in harmful behavior, but who want to establish tighter control over their betting bankroll.

If you use a strategy that involves depositing fixed amounts, you may want to consider the tool.

Self-exclusion

Using the tool, the bettor can request temporary or permanent removal from the bookmaker.

It is a measure intended for people who feel that they are losing control of their gambling and need external help. The period of self-exclusion can last for weeks, months or even years.

During this time, bookmakers undertake not to send advertising material to bettors, as a way of keeping them away from “triggers” that may generate a new desire to bet.

Alerts

Alerts are notifications sent periodically to the bettor to show how much time has been spent on the game. At Bet365 , for example, you can set alerts for:

• 10 minutes;
• 20 minutes;
• 30 minutes;
• 1 hour;
• 2 hours;
• 3 hours.

Sports betting is an activity that, in addition to demanding concentration, can entertain a person and sometimes make us lose track of time.

If you need to, set a daily period that is healthy for you and use the Alerts tool to help you with organization and self-control.

Definition of pause

With this tool, you can define periods of the day or week for the account to be inactive.

For example, if you want to ensure that you don’t access a sports betting site during working hours, you can select the break period between 9am and 6pm.

You can also set that you will not play for the next 24 hours or 24 hours, for example. The time periods are personalized and vary according to the bookmakers that offer the tool.

Protection of minors

Minors under 18 years of age cannot place sports bets in Brazil. Therefore, bookmakers rely on an identity verification process that is initially carried out when registering.

In addition to entering your date of birth, you are asked to send an original document with a photo, so that the information can be verified.

If the bookmaker detects any sign that the account is being used by minors, it must terminate the bettor’s activities immediately.

Bettor support

Bookmakers’ contact channels can be used for Responsible Gaming purposes.

Support agents are available to receive reports from users who may have negative experiences with the game and make the necessary referrals.

It may be the case of closing the account, helping the bettor to define a usage limit or indicating an institution that welcomes bettors with compulsive behavior and/or addiction.

Educational materials

On a betting site ‘s responsible gaming page , you will find a range of educational materials that explain the concepts we discussed in this lesson, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to access the tools and ask for help if necessary.

The idea is to raise awareness among the gaming community and teach them to understand which behaviors cross the line into healthy gaming.

What to do when you notice harmful behavior?

It is worth mentioning that even though bookmakers offer support tools, it is important that you take quick action if you notice risky behavior occurring.

When the initial signs of risk are ignored, there may come a time when the gambler is no longer able to realize on his own that he is engaging in compulsive behavior.

Therefore, the moment you realize that sports betting is becoming a stressful activity that causes you anxiety (which in turn leads to consecutive losses), take a break.

This break will be important for you to understand whether it is necessary to ask for help from family, friends, professionals and organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous, or whether it was just a phase that you have overcome.

What are the main security tools?

It is in the interest of bookmakers that their community can play safely, respecting the protocols of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and acting against illicit practices, money laundering and illicit enrichment.

Currently, the main initiatives that reinforce security are applied through technologies.

Identity verification

When you register for a house, you must enter basic contact information, such as name, CPF, email, date of birth and address.

Furthermore, bookmakers usually request proof of this information . Images of your ID and proof of address are there to create an additional layer of security, which protects both the bookmaker and bettors from malicious individuals.

The information on the documents is compared with the completed registration form to ensure that everything is consistent and correct. It is then verified by the bookmaker’s staff.

Another form of identity verification can occur when the user has been inactive for a long time at the bookmaker. Here’s what Bet365 requests in these cases:

SSL

The SSL certificate is used to protect data shared between the user and the website, ensuring that sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information is kept confidential.

You can recognize the presence of this certificate by a padlock next to the website URL.

HTTPS

HTTPS is a protocol that adds another layer of encryption between the bettor’s browser and the internet server. This way, your transmitted data will be even more secure, protected from malicious third parties.

When a website starts with https:// and not http:// it means that the protection layer has been applied.

In the Betano image that we added in the previous topic, you can see the presence of both the SSL and HTTPS certificates.

Even if you are just starting out betting, it is important to know that you can count on these tools if you need them. Take the points we have mentioned into consideration when choosing the bookmaker where you will register.

This way, you will have the peace of mind of dedicating time and money to an honest brand that reinforces good betting practices.