Online gambling regulation is becoming more complicated. It is important to be able to comprehend the implications for players and operators. While online gambling regulation has dealt with issues such as player tracking and awareness, there isn’t an overarching framework. Players and operators can now be mediated by their national courts. Additionally, all EU countries have a strict KYC requirement. Gambling operators must also apply a risk-based assessment in order to reduce the possibility of money laundering.
Online gambling regulation: The main challenges
Online gambling regulation is complex and evolving. There are many stakeholders trying to manage it. The debate centers on how to protect children from online gambling and allow them to reap the many benefits.
Protecting children online
One side of the debate is made up of those who believe that online gaming should have strict regulation to protect children from harm. These people argue that online gaming is a dangerous activity because of the inherent interaction risks, such as the possibility of communicating with strangers.
They argue, therefore, that online games should be subjected to the same content moderation as other online content.
Others argue that online gaming should not be subjected to the same kind of strict regulation as other online content. These people argue that online games can positively impact children’s lives by giving them a creative outlet and a chance to socialize with friends.
They claim that online gambling is not as harmful as it could be and that regulation of the industry should not hinder its positive potential.
Future trends in gambling regulation
Online gambling regulation will continue to be a topic of debate for some time. There are clear trends in the way different jurisdictions approach this issue.
A growing trend is to combine child protective law with legal prescriptions for moderated online content. This is because vulnerable gamers are long-standing participants in the gaming industry. It also recognizes that online gaming presents unique interaction risks that require a customized approach.
In-game communication was included in the revised age-rating system for video games in the German Youth Protection Act. Games with unlimited chat functions will now be given a higher rating.
The Online Safety Act was passed in the UK in April 2022. It focuses on online content that is accessed by children. According to the bill, platforms that host user-generated content must reduce harmful content and report abusive content against children. They also need to assist police departments when necessary.
Conclusion
These trends indicate that people are becoming more aware of the need for children to be protected from harm. Gaming is one of the most challenging areas and allows them to reap the many benefits of this medium.
The online gaming industry faces many problems. The industry is growing, however, and new regulations could help to solve some of the problems.
