Summary
- Introducing "The Black Book of Illegal Gambling," a groundbreaking study from the Institute for Gambling Regulation in Slovakia.
- The revolutionary report delves into the effects of illegal gambling, shedding light on potential dangers and emerging patterns.
- According to the study, almost 25% of consumers are turning to illegal gambling operators for their services.
A recent study from Slovakia has shed light on the shadowy world of illegal gambling, revealing intriguing insights and raising serious concerns about the consequences of the black market.
Unlicensed gambling operators do not follow any regulations, lack customer protection
The report, The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, marks a significant first in its field. Published by Slovakia's Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRHH), this exhaustive study sheds light on the intricate web and societal repercussions of unlawful gambling in the nation. This pioneering work delves deep into the cunning strategies and schemes employed by black market operators to ensnare unsuspecting customers. Alarmingly, it highlights how these illegal operators prey on vulnerable groups and flout all regulations, leading to a staggering annual loss of millions of euros in taxes. These websites blatantly disregard every safety measure that licensed operators are bound to follow. There are no restrictions, no identity verifications, and zero safeguards against addiction. And if you lose money, there is no legal recourse, he explained.
Black market operators lure customers with big bonuses, better odds and easier registration
According to The Black Book of Illegal Gambling, a worrying trend is emerging. Just 42.2% of players in Slovakia actually verify whether a gambling operator is licensed, leaving the majority vulnerable. Even more troubling is that 43.2% of players can't tell which advertisements lead to licensed operators and which promote illegal ones. The study reveals that 23.7% of gamblers, which amounts to around 296,000 Slovaks, are using unlicensed gambling platforms. Alarmingly, 24.1% of players don't even know if the online gambling sites they use are legal. Even more concerning is that 13.1% of consumers who have been excluded from gambling in Slovakia due to their registration with RVO, the National Register of Excluded Persons, are turning to illegal sites. This exclusion should protect them by blocking access to licensed sites, but it fails to shield them from unlicensed operators. The study highlights that 32.5% of players are lured to unlicensed websites by tempting bonuses. Meanwhile, 29.5% are drawn to these sites by the promise of better odds, and 29.1% find the registration process at unlicensed sites much easier.
The study highlighted recommendations in the fight against illegal gambling
The IPRHH report brings a decisive call for action in the battle against illegal gambling, offering a series of robust recommendations. At the heart of their proposal is a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes raising public awareness and creating stable conditions for licensed gambling operators. Predictably, the institute also underscores the importance of effectively blocking illegal gambling websites and fostering stronger partnerships with payment firms and banks to cut off transactions with unlicensed operators.
