Most casinos utilize sophisticated monitoring systems to track player spending and betting habits. This technology is used to form custom promotions for individual players, but researchers believe that it can benefit them in a new way by helping to identify problem gamblers.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of addiction experts and gaming industry professionals are working together to create computerized models of player behaviour. These models will be similar to the ‘warning signs’ of cancer, so casino operators can warn individuals that have a high risk of developing gambling addictions. Very basic models exist in the United States.
They are programmed to look for risky behaviour, such as chasing losses or intense wagering over long periods of time. Researchers believe that this type of information cannot formally diagnose a gambling addict, it can provide operators with a good idea of who might be at risk. As expected casino operators are not on board with the plan.
They believe that tracking behaviour of problem gamblers is a slippery slope, and it won’t be long before we are using this technology in other industry. "Is it McDonald's obligation to decide you have a problem because you have a tendency to eat high-calorie lunches?” asks says Gary Loveman, chief executive at Caesars Entertainment. “You could take this to ridiculous extremes."
Companies like 888 and Bwin.Party are working on ways to use this information to help online players. Both companies are looking to expand into the American gambling market, and they will be using sophisticated tracking software to identify potential problem gamblers. However, in many casinos, operators leave it up to the player to take charge of their own addiction.
However, most players are reluctant to come forward and seek help. As such, gaming professionals should take responsibility and help to identify players that could be at risk of developing compulsive gambling behaviour.
About the Author
