South Americans Surveyed About Responsible Gaming
Author:
Jacob McKenzie
Playtech recently partnered with Toluna to conduct a detailed consumer survey about Responsible Gaming in LATAM. As a part of the study, the companies asked 2,500 people from five different countries to share their views about online gambling. Thanks to the survey, Playtech believes it has identified important values and habits of players in the region.
Playtech has conducted a new player responsibility survey, with a focus on the effect of warning messages, in Latin America. Waldemar/Unsplash
Who did Playtech and Toluna survey?
Playtech and Toluna surveyed 2,500 people from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Columbia for the latest edition of their responsible gaming study. Playtech, one of the world’s largest providers of online gaming technology, worked together with Toluna, a research firm offering market insights and consumer research.
The aim of the investigation was to understand how those who participate in gambling, as well as the general public, respond to player protection initiatives and related topics. With this information, companies like Playtech — and government bodies — can better address player protection and create effective responsible gaming frameworks.
What was discovered in Playtech’s survey?
Many intriguing insights were gained in this latest survey round by Playtech and Toluna. For example, Argentines seemed open to receiving more player protection information, like warnings, during their gaming sessions. 84% shared that they had not ever received warnings while gambling which may have indicated risky behavior.
Out of those who received warnings, 21% confirmed that warning messages were effective for them and led them to pause their gaming. On the other hand, 31% shared such warnings had no effect on their habits. 15% found the warning effect inconclusive but believed it may have had some impact. 2% answered that such messages caused them to stop betting immediately, but another 2% were an anomaly, saying they bet even more after receiving a warning.
In another question, players were asked about the emotional impact of warning messages. 37% of Argentines responded that they appreciated the messages and could recognize the constructive nature of them. 27% said the messages made them feel safe.
For 14% of the surveyed, the messages were construed as irritating and without an effect on behavior. 10% answered that they would prefer no messages like this shown during their gaming experience. 11% were driven to find out more about their own gambling habits after receiving these messages.
The survey went deeper to distinguish ways of receiving gaming warnings and their perceived effects on players. For example, 35% prefer that these messages are sent by email. Almost the same amount — 32% — preferred pop-up messages in their app or browser.
21% would opt for a WhatsApp or text message version of the warning, but 14% asked for chat messaging through their web platform. It is unclear from the data whether a chat message would consist of communication with a live representative, but perhaps the idea of having access to more information and support was appealing for this group of responders.
There were also people who would opt for the game screen to freeze completely, rather than issue a warning. These were 13% of the surveyed. 3% asked for a phone call option. 15% would choose to receive no warning messages.
What can be gleaned from this study?
Francesco Rodano, who heads Playtech’s Policies team, shared that the company intends to use this information together with Argentine authorities for now. In Argentina, the goal will be to create parameters for safer, more responsible gambling in the future, starting with betting site policies. Some initiatives are already underway thanks to specific legislation.
Developments like Playtech’s software “BetBuddy” are already helping. BetBuddy uses AI technology to analyze player activity, while keeping identities fully anonymous, to flag issues connected with risky gaming behavior. BetBuddy can then send protection messages depending on the information it finds.
