Certain types of lottery games are becoming more frequently available for customers, raising questions around responsible gaming in a sector that has generally been seen as much safer than its counterparts in betting and casino. 

With lottery-based betting being a lower-risk betting vertical, it has traditionally been an easier game to warn users against problem gambling. However, the need to diversify and offer new games and formats could naturally raise the risks of developing addictions. 

The latest episode of the iGaming Daily podcast has tackled this issue, with SBC News Editor, Ted Orme-Claye, discussing responsible gambling with Nicole Garrett, Head of Responsible Gambling at Allwyn.

She said that while lotteries also want to innovate, it must be done in a sustainable way. “Lotteries want to innovate as well and offering those products are part of that. 

“I think provided innovation is done in a responsible way and we abide by responsible product design, we should have the space to do that.”

Scaling up is also something that is seen: “As a business that already has a wider set of gaming verticals, we’re well used to scaling up responsible gaming interventions in line with that.

“We’re promoting deposit limits, taking breaks, all the things we do with our wider gaming offering. Responsible gaming has some basic principles that should be applied across all products, no matter what they are.”

Collaborative effort across verticals

Garrett stressed the importance of a collaborative effort between all the different types of gambling, from the lower-risk games such as lottery to the high-risk platforms such as casinos and slots which are always readily available for players.

She said that messaging has to be tailored to the specific gaming audience and while it also has to be tailored across countries, the overall aim is to create a more interactive message.

“We need to be more creative. We’re committed to creating more interactive, responsible gaming content that actually simulates engagement with players. 

“That’s sort of our focus at the minute. Reaching that broad audience through the lottery segment because so many people play lotteries in their lives, but maybe they also play casino and they play sports betting.

“If we can get the behaviors driven through our lottery platform, we’d like to see it have an impact elsewhere. I think that’s where we can make our mark.”

Garrett then outlined how there shouldn’t be a monopoly with RG, it should be about making players safe across all gaming and betting platforms. 

“I think that there shouldn’t be a monopoly on knowledge and responsible gaming. We should all be collaborating on this because we want our players to be safe with us or if they play elsewhere.”