Problem gambler AI detection
Occurred: 2019
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The gambling industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence to target prospective punters and predict customer habits and maxmise revenue and profit, a move that is seen as controversial in some quarters.
At the same time, machine learning and related technologies are being used to detect problem gamers. However, it remains unclear how effective these solutions are.
UK Anonymous Player Awareness System
In November 2019, the UK Betting and Gaming Council, an industry group representing 90 percent of the UK betting and gaming market, launched an AI-powered Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS) designed to detect and prevent problematic behaviour in players. The system locks gamblers out of machines for 30 seconds if erratic or excessive play is detected.
Experts said the APAS was a move in the right direction, but were concerned that 30 seconds is long enough to have any real impact. A 2019 study of Norwegian gambling machines found that the break caused 'no significant effect' on the amount of money staked during a subsequent gambling session or how long that session lasted.
Betfair risk assessment algorithm
In June 2021, Luke Ashton, from Leicester, UK, committed suicide after racking up large debts had been categorised as a 'low-risk' customer by a Betfair algorithm that had 'found nothing in his betting patterns that would trigger human intervention that might have restricted his gambling.' The coroner ruled Betfair had failed to meaningfully interact or intervene when Mr Ashton's gambling activity spiked.
Facial recognition
Gambling venues across New South Wales, Australia, introduced facial recognition to detect people who had voluntarily signed up to a 'self-exclusion' scheme for problem gamblers. Digital rights activists complained the technology is 'invasive, dangerous and undermines our most basic and fundamental rights'.
System 🤖
UK Betting and Gaming Council. Anonymous Player Awareness System (APAS)
Operator: Flutter UKI/Betfair; Ladbrokes/Coral
Developer: Betting and Gaming Council (BGC); Mindway AI; Optimove
Country: Australia; UK; USA
Sector: Gambling
Purpose: Detect problem gamblers
Technology: Machine learning
Issue: Accuracy/reliability; Effectiveness/value; Privacy; Safety; Surveillance
Transparency: Governance; Black box; Marketing
Legal, regulatory 👩🏼⚖️
UK Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group (2020). Online Gambling Harm Inquiry - Final Report (pdf)
Research, advocacy 🧮
Spencer Murch W., Kairouz S., Dauphinais S., Picard E., Costes J-M., French M. (2023). Using machine learning to retrospectively predict self-reported gambling problems in Quebec
Public Health England (2023). Gambling-related harms evidence review: summary
Auer M., Griffiths M.D. (2022). Using artificial intelligence algorithms to predict self-reported problem gambling with account-based player data in an online casino setting
Gustafson J. (2019). Using Machine Learning to Identify Potential Problem Gamblers (pdf)
dos Santos H.M. (2017). Artificial Intelligence: Are You Sure? Beware of What You Wish!
Huang Q. (2018) Driving Artificial Intelligence use in Responsible Gambling Practices (pdf)
Wohl. M, Gansbury S.M. (2013). Facilitating Responsible Gambling: The Relative Effectiveness of Education-Based Animation and Monetary Limit Setting Pop-up Messages among Electronic Gaming Machine Players
News, commentary, analysis 🗞️
Page info
Type: Issue
Published: June 2023