Player protection
Casinos are required to draw up a player protection plan. The plan should outline player protection measures, particularly with regard to providing information, the early detection of problem gambling, self-monitoring and gambling restrictions for players.
Casinos must ensure that staff members who are responsible for player protection receive appropriate training and regularly attend further training courses to develop their skills and keep abreast of new developments in player protection.
Information for players
Casinos are required to provide players with clear and comprehensive information about the dangers of gambling. This information should include a self-assessment questionnaire to help players evaluate their gambling behaviour, as well as options for self-monitoring, gambling restrictions and gambling bans. Casinos must also inform players about services for those who are addicted, at risk of addiction or in debt, as well as where to find advice centres and self-help groups.
Early detection of problem gambling
Casinos are required to establish clear criteria to quickly identify players who may be in danger of developing a gambling addiction. If these criteria are met, casino staff must take the required measures immediately, if necessary ensuring that the player does not place any further bets that are beyond their financial means.
To assess whether a player has the means to finance their gambling, casinos may request information about a player's personal, professional or financial circumstances. Casinos may also request players to provide proof of their income and assets.
If there is any indication that a player's gambling behaviour is financially unsustainable, the casino is required to impose a gambling ban in strict observation of the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
If a player fails to submit the requested documents in full or within the specified timeframe and doubts about their solvency remain, the casino is obliged to impose a gambling ban.
Self-monitoring and gambling restrictions
Casinos must offer players options for monitoring and limiting the duration and frequency of their gambling and their financial losses. For example, they can provide players with statistics on their gambling behaviour and an overview of the bets they have placed. Self-monitoring and self-imposed gambling restrictions work particularly well with online gambling activities, as these can easily be tracked.
Contact points
Every casino has a designated person who is responsible for player protection. This person acts as a point of contact for players and provides support with any concerns or questions relating to problem gambling.
In addition to the services offered by casinos, there are a number of national and cantonal advisory centres that also offer support and advice for individuals with harmful gambling habits:
Switzerland:
SOS-Spielsucht
infodrog - Schweizerische Koordinations- und Fachstelle Sucht
SafeZone.ch
143.ch Dargebotene Hand
feel-ok.ch Glücksspiel und Jugendliche
Win Back Control
Check deine Motivation! - gambling-check.ch
Cantons:
BE: Glücksspiel - Berner Gesundheit
GE: Consultation ReConnecte - ADDICTOHUG
GE: Testez votre risque d'addiction au jeu de hasard et d'argent problématique
TI: Auto Aiuto Ticino
ZH: Zentrum für Spielsucht und andere Verhaltenssüchte
ZH: Suchttest.ch