Responsible Gaming

Since the beginning of its business operations, the Austrian Lotteries have been actively committed to player protection and minimization of potential consequences for society and for certain high-risk groups arising out of games of chance.

We live prevention
In 2009 the Austrian Lotteries received the full certification in accordance to the European standards for Responsible Gaming and the certification on highest level under the terms of the World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming framework.

This certification obligates to vigilance, to a striving for a healthy balance between entertainment, profit and social responsibility. This enables us to maximum, sustainable and through international monitoring bodies approbated protection of players and minors.

We train regularly player protection know-how
Responsible Gaming is top priority. Therefore, a department within the company has been entrusted with „Responsible Gaming, Advertising and Sponsoring”. This department has been working for years with renowned institutions, research facilities and counselling services all over Austria to put prevention measures into operation. Thereby, not only consistent expansion of information and training support is encouraged but also gaming participants with problematical gambling behaviour thus can be offered best possible counsel and help.

All our distribution partners have to attend a Responsible Gaming training. This is carried out during a face-to-face training course by our area representatives. Furthermore there is the opportunity to complete the basic training via our online screens in the sales outlets directly.

Since 2004 an event of several days' duration, the so called Responsible Gaming Academy, is being held annually for executive employees across the group. International and national experts are being invited to keep our employees up-to-date with latest research results and awareness to facts and data at first-hand.

We inform transparently
Additionally in all our sales outlets Responsible Gaming folders are being displayed. They contain information to safe handling in regards to gambling, explain odds of winning and include addresses to counselling services.

In May 2009 the website www.spiele-mit-verantwortung.at was launched. Information regarding player protection measures, links to counselling services in Austria, research results, reports form experts and persons concerned, as well as a self test are clearly represented.

We protect children and adolescents
In 2009 a voluntary self restriction was implemented: all sales partners of the Austrian Lotteries may not sell products of games of chance to persons under the age of 16.

The Austrian Lotteries check each new product and each new service in regards to effects on society before its launch.
Further information to Responsible Gaming can be found on our homepage www.spiele-mit-verantwortung.at.