Responsible Gaming

One of the most serious problems arising from excessive engagement in games of chance is addiction, namely, addiction to games of chance or gambling addiction.

Addiction affects not only the players, but also their families, as well as the broader social environment. Its consequences include depression, feelings of guilt and regret, domestic problems, excessive indebtedness, and in extreme cases suicide attempts and involvement in criminal activities.

The term Responsible Gaming encompasses the total of regulations and provisions aiming at mitigating the negative effects of excessive exposure to games of chance, as well as the responsible and conscious decision-making on the part of the player.

Responsible Gaming involves actions and measures that aim at protecting the players and the community from potential harm and from the negative effects of excessive participation to games of chance in general. Emphasis is placed on minors and vulnerable social groups.

Responsible Gaming is the result of the collective involvement and effort on the part of the players, society, the gaming industry and the competent Authorities, to create a legitimate and reliable gambling environment. The HGC has specified the following priority areas for action, in order to limit the spread of problem gambling and mitigate its negative consequences:

1. Development of a regulatory framework to ensure a safe and reliable gaming environment. Constant monitoring of arising conditions, as well as proposals for the improvement of applicable legislation.

2. Carrying out researches and studies, in order to record the gambling effect.

3. Development and implementation of programs to protect the public by reliably informing players on the consequences of problem gambling, and public awareness on the effects of games of chance.

4. Development of collaboration with social, professional and other statutory competent bodies of Greece, as well as with equivalent regulatory Authorities abroad, to promote synergies pertaining to safeguarding the public and combating addiction.

5. Designing of tools and applications (e-ASSOS platform) to inform and raise public awareness, as well as for the players to develop self-protection skills, so that games of chance continue to be a form of entertainment and not a cause of problems.

To this end, the HGC has issued Decision No. 163/5/9.7.2015 (Β 1788) entitled “Responsible Gaming Principles,” aiming to ensure that all gaming activities are carried out in a socially responsible manner, in order to mitigate negative effects of gaming abuse. This objective is primarily achieved by:

1. Commitment on behalf of all gaming industry stakeholders to abide to the rule of social responsibility and social empathy.

2. Restrained and reasonable commercial communication, in accordance to the law and the decisions and directives of HGC.

3. Fair and straightforward gaming, within the context of the law and HGC’s decisions.

4. Creating and maintaining a secure and supportive environment for providing gaming products and services.

5. Procedure-setting by each provider, for the protection of vulnerable social groups from gaming activities and for the exclusion of minors from gaming.

The Responsible Gaming Principles refer to and govern all games of chance. They concern licensees, gaming operators, providers, players, internet service providers (ISPs), advertisers, and all gaming industry stakeholders.