At the end of May 2018, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect,
and many online gamblers and operators are wondering how this will affect the online gambling industry.
So what is the GDPR?
In a nutshell, the GDPR dictates that special categories of user data derived from personal characteristics may not be processed and stored by member state companies
(as well as those operating in Europe), without the express permission from the end user. Operators are being forced to comply and if not, they will be slapped with a steep fine.
In addition, the GDPR changes the way online casinos need to identify players. Common forms of identification such as names, IP addresses and location data will be used,
together with additional elements such as keeping track of players’ conduct, financial status and gaming preferences.
Annoying Pop-Ups
One of the demands of the GDPR is that online gambling sites have to ask players’ permission to process their data. It is now not enough that online casinos state their intentions
in a pre-written statement such as the Terms and Conditions section of a site. Gambling companies now have to add another checkbox where players explicitly give their permission
for the sites to process their data. Many players are already complaining about the annoying pop-ups appearing whenever they try to gamble online.
Why GDPR is Not a Bad Thing
If we overlook the annoying pop ups, we can surmise that GDPR is not essentially a bad thing. Players retain exclusive ownership of their data, and can even go so far as to ask
online casinos and sportsbooks to provide them with all the data that they have on them. This data can also be transferred from one online casino to another at no cost.
Casinos may even tempt players away from other sites by offering more attractive bonuses and the chances are that the online casino industry will become a very lucrative
one in which to play as a result.
Why Cookies are Also a Good Thing
Many a time, when players visit or access an online casino, they find that the casino uses cookies. Cookies are essentially small text files that web serves place
on the users’s computer or device. These cookies automatically collect information about players and their online behavior, as well as their playing device so that
navigation and services can be approved. A user’s security system may automatically block cookies which may not be to the users’s advantage.
You could find yourself locked out of your favorite online casino, unable to play your favorite games.
In general, it is a good idea to enable cookies to ensure that this doesn’t happen, and also to ensure smooth and efficient navigation of the online casino.
and many online gamblers and operators are wondering how this will affect the online gambling industry.
So what is the GDPR?
In a nutshell, the GDPR dictates that special categories of user data derived from personal characteristics may not be processed and stored by member state companies
(as well as those operating in Europe), without the express permission from the end user. Operators are being forced to comply and if not, they will be slapped with a steep fine.
In addition, the GDPR changes the way online casinos need to identify players. Common forms of identification such as names, IP addresses and location data will be used,
together with additional elements such as keeping track of players’ conduct, financial status and gaming preferences.
Annoying Pop-Ups
One of the demands of the GDPR is that online gambling sites have to ask players’ permission to process their data. It is now not enough that online casinos state their intentions
in a pre-written statement such as the Terms and Conditions section of a site. Gambling companies now have to add another checkbox where players explicitly give their permission
for the sites to process their data. Many players are already complaining about the annoying pop-ups appearing whenever they try to gamble online.
Why GDPR is Not a Bad Thing
If we overlook the annoying pop ups, we can surmise that GDPR is not essentially a bad thing. Players retain exclusive ownership of their data, and can even go so far as to ask
online casinos and sportsbooks to provide them with all the data that they have on them. This data can also be transferred from one online casino to another at no cost.
Casinos may even tempt players away from other sites by offering more attractive bonuses and the chances are that the online casino industry will become a very lucrative
one in which to play as a result.
Why Cookies are Also a Good Thing
Many a time, when players visit or access an online casino, they find that the casino uses cookies. Cookies are essentially small text files that web serves place
on the users’s computer or device. These cookies automatically collect information about players and their online behavior, as well as their playing device so that
navigation and services can be approved. A user’s security system may automatically block cookies which may not be to the users’s advantage.
You could find yourself locked out of your favorite online casino, unable to play your favorite games.
In general, it is a good idea to enable cookies to ensure that this doesn’t happen, and also to ensure smooth and efficient navigation of the online casino.
