Legalizing slots are still in the midst of serious debate in almost every US jurisdiction. On one hand legislators are pushing for its legalization because of the huge revenues available in the form of gambling tax revenue.  On the other hand, there are ethical and religious-based groups that are citing a growth in gambling addictions as the repercussion of legalizing slots.  Although arguments are under way, the fact is that if slots are legalized, there will be a greater number of people falling into potential problem gambling due to the greater pool.

As a result online casinos are taking their own precautions to protect online slots players and gamblers. They are using technologies that aid people in helping themselves stay away from addictive behaviors.  Most online casinos already have adopted a page dedicated solely to what they are doing to promote healthy gaming policies with their customers. They have a page of resources for addictive problems, phone numbers and general places to look if gamblers find themselves in difficult situations.

One company that is working to protect players is WagerWorks. The website that is run by IGT, is taking some precautions in terms aiding customers from falling into addictions.  They have created a “Player Protection” link on their website. If an online slots player or gambler signs onto their account page, there will be a link that allows them to set their own limits. This goes further in that a player can set the maximum amount they deposit, or the amount they wager over a given period. In some instances, they can also set your maximum loss over that period. It’s the best player protection system out there and because players have control over it, it has an instant effect.

Another company working to keep customers safe is CryptoLogic.  The website also has some limits that the player can set. At this website players can set a $100 a week or month, $100 a day or $200 a month limits.  It’s a safeguard for people and it shows that the gaming company is concerned with the welfare of its patrons. 

As time goes on, more and more online casinos are going to put in their own safeguards for online slots players and online gamblers.  The UIGEA is not adequate to save people from addictions; time has proven that. But the actual online casinos are. They can put in safeguards and build them into the gaming experience to protect their customers.

The European Court of Justice ruled that any country in the EU can restrict private players from internet slots and gambling if the rationale was to “safeguard the interests of the citizens.”  The parties involved in the dispute were BWin.com and Portuguese gambling monopoly. The debate began over Bwin.com’s sponsorship of the Portuguese soccer club Liga.  The BWin.com logo was placed on the soccer club’s website and the players’ uniforms. The state charity that possessed the rights to online betting and lottery gambling believed this to be a violation of their territorial property. The monopoly in turn fined Liga and BWin.com.

Previously, the European Court of Justice mandated that free trade could be restricted by a state if its purpose was to protect the public.  This rule was applicable in the case of BWin.com and the Portuguese because the Court deemed online gambling to involve a large risk of potential criminal activity or fraud within the society.  The winnings of players was substantial, therefore the likelihood of unscrupulous activities were heightened. 

In a press release BWin.com stated, “It is difficult for us to understand the rationale that crime is more difficult off-line than online.” The company affirmed their position that their consumer protection and fraud prevention programs were one of the best in the industry and held up well to any competitors’ programs. The Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association, or EGBA, stated, “Several jurisdictions in the EU already prove that it is possible to guarantee a high level of consumer protection and have a well regulated and competitive online gaming market at the same time.”

Despite the decision, BWin.com believes that there is no evidence to substantiate the claim that online slots and online gambling are more susceptible to fraud. They issued a statement that read in part, “This judgment denigrates the online gambling industry.” The online slots industry does have some concern that the European Commission’s decision may force them to change their online policies for gambling in Europe. However, Remote Gaming Association CEO Clive Hawkswood stated, that he believes that though the court made “careless and inflammatory comments” in the ruling, nothing in it should stop the EC from dealing with future improprieties in online slots and gambling.