In a significant move to strengthen responsible gambling practices, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) reported nearly 3,000 cases of underage gambling blocked throughout 2023. The findings were part of the Online Responsible Gambling Survey Report, which assessed the effectiveness of responsible gambling measures among licensed operators on the Isle of Man. Covering data from January to December 2023, the report underscores the commitment to protecting minors and ensuring that licensed platforms maintain stringent controls.

This initiative, aimed at enhancing player safety and protecting minors from exposure to gambling activities, is a critical step forward in sustainable gambling. The government’s proactive approach not only restricts access for minors but also raises awareness about safer gambling practices. Meanwhile, for adult players seeking regulated platforms featuring win real money no deposit bonus codes, there are indeed safer, legally compliant ways to engage in gambling without risking unverified platforms as noted by NoDepositFriend.com.

Nearly 3,000 Underage Gamblers Blocked

According to the GSC report, 2,972 underage players were prevented from accessing gambling services on Isle of Man-licensed sites. The primary tool for identifying these users was age consent requests, a measure that requires individuals to provide their date of birth at sign-up. This age verification step proved effective in curbing underage access, supported by 32 out of 33 licensed operators who reported using similar monitoring systems.

Of those surveyed, 79% of licensees experienced no incidents of underage users registering on their platforms, a strong indication of the effectiveness of current controls. All participating licensees rated their tools as either “effective” or “very effective” in preventing underage gambling, reflecting a proactive approach toward compliance and social responsibility.

Ethical Marketing and Affiliate Policies

In addition to age controls, the survey highlighted the ethical marketing practices in place to deter underage engagement. A total of 31 licensees confirmed they have adopted policies to ensure advertising content does not target minors. Furthermore, 27 operators reported contractual restrictions with affiliates to prevent any underage-focused marketing, while 20 have social media policies specifically designed to keep promotional materials from reaching younger audiences.

Low Uptake of Responsible Gambling Tools

While responsible gambling tools, such as deposit, spending, and loss limits, are available on all platforms, user uptake remains low. Of the total players on these platforms, only 2.5%—equivalent to 67,907 users—utilized these tools throughout 2023. The GSC noted, however, that actual uptake might be underreported, as one-third of operators could not provide accurate statistics on tool usage. Current regulations mandate that operators offer at least one form of elective control to all users, ensuring that they have the option to set personal limits.

Self-Exclusion Timeliness Varies

Self-exclusion options, another critical tool in responsible gambling, were widely implemented among operators, with 21,999 players signing up by the end of the year. Most requests were processed instantly, especially for six-month exclusions, which had a 94% immediate activation rate. However, for longer exclusion periods, response times varied, with 4% of requests taking over 12 hours to be fully processed. The GSC acknowledged these differences in response time, citing variations in the methods used to submit exclusion requests, such as email versus account management options.

Potential Policy Updates on the Horizon

The GSC is considering policy adjustments based on survey findings. The commission emphasised the importance of evidence-based interventions and committed to using this data to guide future legislative changes. The regulator aims to provide clear guidance for licensees, enabling them to better understand their responsibilities and comply with evolving regulations.

Through continued engagement with operators and consumers, the GSC hopes to enhance compliance and awareness across the industry, ultimately safeguarding vulnerable groups from the risks associated with gambling. This comprehensive approach to responsible gambling reflects the Isle of Man’s ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, ethical online gambling environment for all.