Lewis Pek Editor


Comment April 2018


In preparation for an interview with John Hagan of law firm, Harris Hagan, to appear in next month’s issue of G3, I read the IAGR’s Revealing Reality Report into Responsible Gambling. Mr. Hagan is speaking at the forthcoming IAGA conference in Macau and at the EUROMAT Summit in Monte-Carlo, in May and June respectively, discussing the subject of responsible gambling.


I have to admit, it’s a subject that’s been in the periphery of my vision for the 20 years I’ve reported on gaming. While I find the subject to be wholly compelling in terms of its importance to the gaming industry, I’ve found communication around the subject to be dry, preachy, consuming of all joy and altogether uninspiring to write about. I usually leave conferences once the topic turns to problem gambling.


I don’t want to spend time on a subject I find boring, but in doing so, I conduct interviews without asking about the consequences of problem gambling, I assess products without drawing conclusions about responsible practices and I make judgements about the promotion of gaming without considering the consequences.


TWO QUOTES STOOD OUT: “MAKING POLICY ON A HANDFUL OF ANECDOTES,” AND “DELIBERATELY CAPTIVATING MACHINES.”


I won’t say that reading the IAGR report has brought about an epiphany, but finding the writing to be intelligent, relatable and non-accusatory, I devoured the details and better understood the recommendations. I appreciate that I’ve viewed gaming through the lens of promotion and profit, and misunderstood the role products play in determining the lifetime value of a customer.


Two quotes from the IAGR’s Revealing Reality Report into Responsible Gambling really stood out to me: “Making policy on a handful of anecdotes.” and “Deliberately captivating machines.” In these two quotes you have the tangential opposite viewpoints that have exasperated and infuriated in equal measure whenever the topic of responsible gambling has been discussed. And yet, the report doesn’t take sides, but rather listens and recommends best practice from talking to all participants in the gaming sector. It is both refreshing and informative and something, ordinarily, I would never have read.


I look forward to the interview, and to writing the article for the next issue. I also hope that unlike me, you stay throughout the sessions at the IAGA conference in Macau next month and the EUROMAT Summit in June. I sincerely recommend these sessions, as the importance of the issue is fundamental to the direction the industry is heading.


EDITORIAL


G3 Magazine Editor Lewis Pek


lewis@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0) 1942 879291


G3Newswire Editor Phil Martin


phil@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)7801 967714


Features Editor Karen Southall


karensouthall@gmail.com Consultant


John Carroll carroll@carrollconsulting.de


International News Editor James Marrison


jamesmarrison@gmail.com Contributors


Pascal Camia, Raymond Chan, Alex Gornjec, Neil Erlick, Yossi Barzley and Helmut Wede


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Commercial Director John Slattery john@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)7917 166471


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Advertising Executive Alison Dronfield alison@gamingpublishing.co.uk +44 (0)1204 410771


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Senior Designer Gareth Irwin


Production Manager Paul Jolleys


Subscriptions Manager Jennifer Pek


Commercial Administrator John Pek


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