The problem gambling charity, GamCare, teamed up with the e-Commerce and Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) recently to educate 40 online casino managers on how to identify and handle problem gambling in a two day course.

Online casino managers travelled from across the world to London to attend the course.  The course included lectures, case history studies as well as interactive training exercises covering all aspects of responsible gambling, and the principles for dealing with this important issue that eCOGRA’s ‘Safe and Fair’ sealed gambling venues are required to use.  It was supervised by GamCare officials Andrew Poole and Amy Webster.

Bill Galston, eCOGRA’s Independent Director, welcomed delegates to the course by saying: “For both humanitarian and ethical reasons – to correct adverse misperceptions by some – a comprehensive responsible gambling policy is a critical investment for any online gambling operation.  eCOGRA has made huge strides in this area in developing a set of best practice requirements for online gambling operations, and this third course on the subject will coach managers in how to apply these tools.

“On this course we are especially pleased to also welcome experienced managers from major companies that are members of the European Gaming and Betting Association, adding to the pool of experience that makes these occasions such a valuable two-way exchange of knowledge.”

Andrew Poole, managing director of GamCare’s Trade Services Limited Branch, stated that training was needed to make responsible gambling a part of business practice and praised eCOGRA’s requirements and standards as comprehensive and practical.

He said, “This course will give you sufficient information and insight to set up a solid responsible gambling program at your companies if have not already done so.”

GamCare official Amy Webster supervised training sessions on how to prevent underage gambling, the psychology of problem gamblers, how to identify compulsive gamblers and how best to deal with these players.

eCOGRA’s CEO, Andrew Beveridge, addressed delegates at the end of the course by saying: “I believe I can safely say that this course is the best we have held to date, not only in terms of expert tuition from our colleagues at GamCare, but also due to the commitment and experience which delegates have generously shared throughout.

“Responsible gambling is an absolutely essential operational element and I am confident that you return to your companies motivated and with the right tools to ensure that a quality responsible gambling policy is constantly reviewed and refreshed.

“Your commitment to eCOGRA has its roots in a real desire to be professional, responsible and above-average in your operational practice, and the responsible gaming aspect is now firmly entrenched as an integral part of our standards necessary to achieve this level of business conduct.”

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