Preventing and addressing gambling addiction
Protecting players and preventing gambling-related harm are central pillars of the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s (HGC) strategy. Through a comprehensive framework of policies, initiatives, and technological tools, the Authority promotes responsible participation in gaming and provides timely support to individuals who may be at risk of developing problematic gambling behaviours.
To achieve these objectives, the HGC implements a range of targeted measures, including:
Objectives
- Preventing and reducing gambling-related harm and addiction
- Raising public awareness and promoting informed decision-making
- Encouraging personal responsibility and self-protection
- Facilitating access to support, counselling, and treatment services
Key Initiatives
To achieve these objectives, the HGC implements a range of targeted measures, including:
- Developing and enforcing responsible gambling policies
- Promoting player protection tools, such as spending limits and self-exclusion mechanisms
- Conducting awareness campaigns through digital and traditional media
- Collaborating with specialized scientific, academic, and healthcare organisations
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Protect Players
As part of its commitment to innovation and player protection, the HGC utilizes advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to strengthen the prevention and early detection of problematic gambling behaviour.
Since 2023, the Authority has collaborated with Mindway AI, a globally recognised company specialising in responsible gambling solutions, to pilot the implementation of GameScanner technology.
Combining artificial intelligence with scientific research from neuroscience and psychology, GameScanner enables the continuous analysis of player behaviour, supporting a data-driven approach to responsible gambling and risk prevention.
Based on this data, the system generates a Risk Score (0-100), which assesses the likelihood of a player developing problematic gambling behaviour and enables the categorisation of risk levels.
The analysis considers multiple behavioural factors, such as:
The use of AI-driven analytics enhances the HGC’s ability to:
Building on the positive outcomes of the initial implementation, the HGC is moving forward with a second pilot phase of the GameScanner programme, expanding:
This next phase will further strengthen the Authority’s prevention framework and enhance its ability to protect players, promote responsible gambling, and support a safer and more sustainable gaming environment.
How it works
The system analyses a range of behavioural and transactional indicators, including:- Duration and frequency of gaming sessions
- Transaction and wagering patterns
- Player limits and gaming preferences
- Behavioral interactions and engagement patterns
Based on this data, the system generates a Risk Score (0-100), which assesses the likelihood of a player developing problematic gambling behaviour and enables the categorisation of risk levels.
Risk Assessment Criteria
The analysis considers multiple behavioural factors, such as:
- Time spent participating in gaming activities
- Level and frequency of financial expenditure
- Types of games played
- Winning and losing patterns
- Late-night or unusual gaming activity
- Attempts to recover losses through continued gambling (“chasing losses”)
Benefits and Impact
The use of AI-driven analytics enhances the HGC’s ability to:
- Identify indicators of gambling-related harm at an early stage
- Support the design of targeted preventive interventions
- Strengthen the supervision and oversight of licensed operators
- Improve and refine responsible gambling policies and practices
Looking Ahead
Building on the positive outcomes of the initial implementation, the HGC is moving forward with a second pilot phase of the GameScanner programme, expanding:
- the volume and diversity of data analysed
- the range of gaming products and activities covered
This next phase will further strengthen the Authority’s prevention framework and enhance its ability to protect players, promote responsible gambling, and support a safer and more sustainable gaming environment.