Responsible Gaming

The necessity for developing the concept of responsible gaming has been risen by the risks implied by the gambling industry. While for most people online gaming is an enjoyable part of their leisure activities, there are a number of vulnerable gamblers who may fall prey to gambling addiction. Being particularly customer-oriented Viaden Gaming has developed its responsible gaming policy based on the international practices and guidelines aimed at detecting and preventing gambling addiction.

By introducing Responsible gaming policy Viaden Gaming proves its determination to provide maximum transparency and security of gaming environment.

International Vision of Responsible Gaming

The issue of gambling raises concerns worldwide which results in creating international associations, work groups and forums with the intent of developing fundamental principles and guidelines for online gambling industry operators and participants.

Striving to develop and promote efficient approach for secure operation in eGambling industry the International Association of Gaming Regulators has established a working group and technical subcommittee. The meeting of eGambling Working Group of International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) resulted in stating the following objectives:

• to minimize harm to the vulnerable and promote responsible gambling;
• to ensure probity, integrity and competence in operators;
• to ensure the fairness of games, the integrity of systems and the quality of services to players.

The working group has also agreed upon the core regulatory principles of responsible gaming with regard to:

• Player protection. Participating in online gaming activity players have the right for security and protection of their sensitive information as well as for the access to relevant and correct information regarding the services provided and the means to keep track of their gambling activity.
• Exclusions. Players should have a possibility to exclude themselves from participating in online gaming activity for a definite or indefinite period. Moreover, there must be an option available to those, who want to impose limits on themselves, restricting both the amount of stakes and the overall spending within a specified period.
• Licensing Controls. Online gambling service providers must operate in full compliance with the license of their jurisdiction and be subject to continuous independent control of their business conduct.
• Operational and technical standards. The online gaming services provided must operate correctly according to the technical requirements and specifications to ensure the players are not unfairly disadvantaged. The randomness of game outcomes must be determined by secure and certified random number generators (RNG).
• Advertising. Marketing and advertising of online gambling must be conducted in a socially responsible manner, thus to provide trustworthy information, prevent advertising for minors and not to impose gambling as an inseparable part of success and social recognition.
• Player Registration. Registration of user accounts must be secure in terms of not disclosing personally-identifiable information to third parties (apart from the unlawful activities detected), safe money transactions and employing age verification and fraud prevention systems.
• Financial transactions. All financial transactions must be performed via reliable and trustworthy payment processing systems fully integrated with online gaming services provided.

Recognizing the importance of security, fairness and responsibility of online gaming Viaden Gaming certifies that our software solutions deliver reliable gaming services, the outcomes of which are determined by RNG certified by TST, iTech Labs and GLI, which means we are constantly subject to monitoring and verification procedures to ensure that randomness of our RNGs allows for credible gaming environment, game payouts are correct, the games function smoothly and are fully legal and secure.

Furthermore, our games are supplied with detailed description of rules, the probability of winning and return to player details.

Due to the implementation of advanced fraud prevention and age verification systems, we prevent underage gambling and keep personal and financial data of online casino players secure and protected.

By the preventive measures undertaken by Viaden Gaming we highlight our full recognition and compliance with international concerns regarding the issue of online gaming and seek to promote socially responsible and customer-oriented approach in gambling industry.

Isle of Man License

Viaden Gaming is licensed in the Isle of Man which reputation as an offshore jurisdiction is second to none, particularly with respect to company registration within a system of political and economic stability which successfully combines flexibility with strict and efficient regulation by the Financial Supervision Commission.

Although a British dependency, the Isle of Man is not within the jurisdiction of the UK nor does it form part of the UK. With the oldest established legislature in the world, the Tynwald, the Isle of Man is self governing and not bound by the laws of the UK. The independence of the Isle of Man in respect of its laws offers advantages to local residents, individuals and companies from overseas.

In respect to the EU, the Isle of Man is an associate member, meaning that it is not required to follow the EU’s legislation but gains a variety of benefits which the members are privy to.

In addition, it has been revealed in research by Hemscott that the Isle of Man is the jurisdiction most preferred by non-UK companies wishing to incorporate when listing on London’s Alternative Investment Market. This reported that there is more than twice the number of Isle of Man companies than Bermuda or Canada. The Island’s standing has been further reinforced by the awarding of an “AAA” accreditation making the Isle of Man an ideal offshore centre for all your corporate and personal needs.

Isle of Man Online Gambling Commission

The Isle of Man is considered one of the most reputable jurisdictions issuing online gambling licenses and boasts the best regulation and infrastructure.

The Isle of Man Government actively encourages the development of gambling and e-gaming business on the island. It remains committed to delivering a stable government and strong regulatory environment, supported by a wide range of attractive business benefits.

In 2001, the Isle of Man Government was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to introduce legislation specifically designed to benefit gambling and e-gaming firms and fully protect customers. Following further recent changes, the licensing and regulatory controls are now more responsive to the needs of the gambling and e-gaming industries.

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission was founded in 1962 and is fully independent and committed to player protection.

The Isle of Man Government and the private sector have worked hard to ensure that the island has a world class infrastructure and full range of support services in place for the gambling industry.

Membership and Associations

Viaden Gaming is a member of Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and we fully support and implement the organization’s Social Responsibility Code to promote high standards of probity and integrity within the betting and gaming industry alongside with social responsibility to minimize possible harm for vulnerable gamblers.

By assuming RGA membership Viaden Gaming certifies its high ethic standards and social responsibility based on the following statements:

• For the vast majority of people gambling constitutes a safe and harmless part of their entertainment and leisure activity;
• We want our customers to gamble responsibly and particularly never to gamble beyond their means;
• Given that gambling is a feature of modern life: we can raise awareness of problem gambling and help individuals to get timely assistance by encouraging responsible gambling and providing the right tools, support and information;
• Social responsibility is crucial to the gambling industry’s approach to business;
• We are open to cooperation with regulatory bodies, commissions and governments to address gambling issues and are committed to working with RGA partners in Government, Gambling Commission, GamCare, RIGT and the academic community to struggle against problem gambling;
• In addition to complying with licensing and code requirements designed to minimize the risks of compulsory gambling, Viaden Gaming as a part of the industry as a whole contributes to the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) to fund treatment, research and education programs.

Within our innovative approach to promoting responsible gaming we closely cooperate with international organizations and bodies that offer counseling and assistance to those suffering from gambling addiction. Thus, our staff members have participated in complex staff training program by GamCare, an international organization that provides online support and delivers treatment for addicted gamblers and encourages effective socially responsible attitude to all forms of gaming.

Responsible Marketing and Advertising

One of the most disputable points in terms of responsible gaming regards marketing and advertising. Gambling regulation in most jurisdictions covers social responsibility in terms of gambling and addresses the following issues:

- the wish to offer players a fair game;
- preventing problem gaming by protecting the vulnerable; 
- keeping minors out of gambling;  
- detecting any illegal activities in the gaming market.

Given that marketing serves as a driving force of gambling industry the activities and materials used to conduct advertising and marketing campaigns must employ the decent and legal mechanisms so that to remain within the concept of social responsibility.

With this in mind Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF) which is aimed at providing facilities for European gaming regulators to address the most urgent issues, exchange views and discuss policy on gaming matters has conducted a regular meeting on 2 March, 2007 which resulted in accepting the document on best practices of marketing and advertising with regard to gambling. These best practices are aimed at ensuring that marketing and advertising of gambling services are conducted in a socially responsible manner to eliminate possible negative impacts on vulnerable groups of players and do not result in excessive gambling.

The following principles are recommended for implementing in online gambling marketing and advertising campaigns:

• Marketing of gaming activities should provide sufficient and correct guidance to players so that they could make their choice whether to gamble or not based on reliable description of the provided offer.
• Marketing and advertizing should not be targeted at users under the age of majority. Moreover, children and people under 18 should not participate in advertising of any form of gaming.
• In the event of celebrities participation in advertizing gambling activities no suggestion should be made that participation in any form of gambling activities has contributed to their success. The players should not be offered to gamble on the basis that they could get the same degree of status or success with the help of gambling.
• The player should be informed about the true winning chances so that to avoid producing an impression that the house edge is lower than it really is.
• In the event of highlighting high winning possibilities of pre-determined prizes, the marketing or advertizing material should provide the probability of such a winning as well as the date it was last won.
• Marketing and advertising should be presented as a form of a leisure activity, but not exploit participating in gaming activities as a possible solution for financial problems, a way of earning money or achieving social acceptance or personal happiness.
• Advertising of gambling should not be aggressive in its form or contents including images, sounds, animation, interactive channel and the message conveyed. It should not call for impulsive action.
• Direct marketing via e-mails, post, telefax, telephone, SMS, MMS and other related methods should be conducted only upon prior permission of the recipient.

Seeking to promote safe and reliable gaming experience to players Viaden Gaming supports and implements the above listed principles while conducting marketing and advertising campaigns, thus contributing to the international effort to combat problem gambling.

With the present responsible gaming policy Viaden Gaming states its invariable position in terms of social responsibility, fair gaming and secure gaming environment to deliver the best and safest gaming experience to players.