Global Gambling Guidance Group last week announced that PokerRoom.com has become the first online gambling service to receive G4 accreditation. The program aims to assure customers that accredited sites maintain responsible gambling practices.
G4 launched in 2002 as the brainchild of a group of responsible gambling experts from around the world. It now has more than 20 members. The core group of experts that make up the organization--Thomas Nilsson from Sweden, Pieter Remmers from the Netherlands and Paul Symond from Australia--developed the responsible gaming accreditation program to help companies in the gaming industry demonstrate how seriously they take the issue of problem gambling. The organization also provides training programs for staff in gaming venues and run help lines for problem gamblers.
PokerRoom.com put its staff through training on problem gambling to reach full accreditation and must continue with further training twice a year. The site also has to implement self-limitation and self-exclusion policies, gear promotions toward adults only and display information on problem gambling and where players can get help.
Remmers is confident that problem gambling issues can be dealt with effectively as more and more of a cross section from the gambling industry becomes part of G4 process.
"The idea is to set the international standard for responsible gaming," Remmers said. "The accreditation is important, as it enhances the image of the whole gaming industry as well as the individual company. It distinguishes companies from those that are not as ethical or responsible."
Established in 1999 and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, PokerRoom.com claims to be the sixth largest online poker site in the world, with an approximately 5 percent market share and 1. 5 million members The site deals out more than 1 million hands of poker per day and also offers casino games like blackjack, slots, baccarat and Let it Ride.