Australian Gaming Council Paves Way for Industrywide Responsible Gaming Efforts Down Under
The Australian Gaming Council (AGC), an organization representing the Australian gaming industry, has developed guidelines to provide a framework for "responsible delivery and service of gaming." The code, launched in September 2001, sets a new national standard in Australia for responsible gaming.
The AGC code highlights two key concepts: 1) responsible service from employees; and 2) responsible delivery of gaming products and equipment.
Responsible service to customers means providing the casino patron with the highest level of customer care. The code outlines various steps to address problem gambling, including self-exclusion programs and cooperation with problem gambling support services. It also emphasizes the importance of employee training to identify behavioral characteristics of compulsive gamblers and customer assistance to help those displaying observable signs of distress or seeking assistance.
To provide responsible delivery of gaming, the code offers guidelines to casinos to assist their customers in making informed choices about gaming activity. Some of the suggested measures include a "cooling off" period for jackpot winners; posting of odds, play length and amounts won and lost; the prominent display of warnings about unattended children and minors; and responsible advertising and marketing.
All of the council's member companies have implemented responsible gaming guidelines using the AGC code as a model. Nationwide, 30 casino companies and gaming-related organizations either have adopted the AGC code or developed their own responsible gaming guidelines.
While considerable progress has been made in implementing responsible gaming programs worldwide, scientists still are evaluating the effectiveness of many of the methods of education, prevention and treatment of pathological gambling. "The code is intended to be a dynamic document," said Vicky Flannery, AGC chief executive. "There is still so much to do in terms of research and development."
