Using Technology for Responsible Online Gaming

Over the past few years, online gaming has evolved into a massive global industry.

11:37 03 March 2021

The rapid development of internet gaming has led to a strong uptick in demand for other few avenues on the internet like eSports, sports betting, and online gambling too. Their growth has been nothing short of staggering; no wonder they are starting to gain wider acceptance of late and building a strong customer base of their own.

 

As with anything that grows at a great lick, there are a few issues with online gaming. And, one pressing problem that both users as well as game developers and platforms are struggling to contend with is ‘over-gaming.’ Not just that, gaming has become a gateway to gambling in some instances. More and more gamers especially kids find themselves totally hooked to playing online that they barely think about squandering their hard-earned money on ephemeral things, whether it is in-game goodies that further their chances of moving up to next level on a video game or virtual currencies on gambling sites and online casinos that give them a legitimate chance to boost their winnings.

 

These in-game, purchasable packs make people spend more money and incite gambling behaviour in those who have no control over what they do. Billed as loot boxes, they make up roughly one fourth of the overall revenue that gaming companies pull in every year. And that leaves these companies with no incentive to get their act better as they risk reducing revenues in the process.

 

With the issue of problem gaming or problem gambling blowing up big time, some authoritative bodies in the UK are now starting to censure policies of some game makers and platforms--all in a bid to give this problematic area some regulatory treatment. Several governments and reputed regulatory organisations around the world are also starting to take note, as more companies come under scrutiny for not putting in place better safe gaming/responsible gaming protocols.

 

Even though what comes out of this clampdown is something we need to wait and watch, thankfully we don’t have to look too far to get help to combat the harmful effects of gaming/gambling addiction.

 

As we expect the industry to self-regulate to do its bit to protect kids and deter them from excessive gaming, here’s how we can use technology to take one step towards responsible/safer gaming and gambling experience online for us and our kids.

 

Video Gaming

 

Gone are the times when video games were fun, less addictive, and totally harmless. The titles today have several features that are addictive especially to young gamers, who get sucked into spending too much on in-game purchases and digital coins. Recent reports suggest that some children in the UK racked up huge debt on games like FIFA and EA’s basketball, almost emptying their parents bank accounts. There have been reports of some children splurging their money on digital coins to buy virtual bazookas, character outfits and other things on Fortnite, not knowing it takes real money to buy all this cool stuff. If you’re concerned about your kid’s virtual spending, don’t fret. There are ways in which you can define parental controls to keep an eye on their gaming pattern, set up a child account with a monthly spending limit, and create passkeys that your kid is required to enter before any purchase is made.

 

Online Gambling

 

Problem gambling is something many newbie gamblers struggle in and need help with. With barely any control over their gambling pattern, they get drawn in to playing for hours together and end up having absolutely no idea how much they lost or how much time they spent playing on any given session. But some sites let these people voluntarily use some intelligent features on their sites through which they can cap the amount they deposit or potentially lose before their gambling session is over or define the time they spend in a session. With more states in the US starting to legalize sports betting, it has become kind of an industry standard for sites to have such features, which, to a certain extent, put back the control in the gamblers hands. Check out PlayCasino if you’re in the UK and are looking for information on top casinos with a lovely selection of games, beautiful user interface and theme, flexible payment methods, minimum deposits, attractive welcome bonuses and rewards, and a mobile friendly site to play from.

 

Mobile Gaming

 

More horror stories of kids putting a dent on parents’ savings are doing the rounds online. Luckily, sophisticated technology like the Family Link tool from Google helps parents rein things in a bit though. There are ways to solve your kids mobile gaming woes. You can create different levels of permission per person in the family and set your child’s device in such a way that it asks for authentication every time a request is made for purchase. Ever notice bizarre Facebook transactions come up on your credit card bill? Maybe the in-app purchases loaded on Facebook games is what is actually guzzling up all your money. Check your Facebook account and tweak the settings to remove your payment method from the social network. Preventing your kids from throwing your money on buying unwarranted virtual packs might seem difficult, but it can be done if you know where to begin.

 

To sum up, modern day technology guarantees many ways through which one can become responsible towards their gaming/gambling habits and remain firmly in control of where their money goes and how much time they spend on these sites. By using special technology that keeps gaming/gambling problems in check, everyone is in for some real and raw entertainment playing games or gambling online without running the risk of losing big- just the way it was meant to be.