DE102010060227A1 - Apparatus and method for conducting gambling with suppression of gambling addiction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preventing gambling addiction with a measurement and evaluation instrument, on the basis of which the risk of a player's addiction-dependent playing style is determined, the game being modified when a critical condition is identified using at least one gaming component in order to reduce the risk of gambling addiction. In particular, the invention relates to a gaming device with a controller that contains the measurement and evaluation instrument and a global game of chance with a network of acceptance points that are alerted to a possible gambling addiction of the player issuing the ticket and can react accordingly.

Description

The invention relates to a method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler, wherein the gambler periodically at least one, accompanied by a cash operation undertakes a game operation and can make a profit or suffer a loss, and the storyline of accepted by a player performing the game and taken into account as a relevant stake in the performance of the game of chance. Furthermore, the invention enters an apparatus for carrying out such optimized gambling.

Game addiction prevention methods of this type are well known. In this method, the behavior of a gambler is observed by a third person, and this third person intervenes with more or less reliability in case of abnormalities in order to prevent the gambler from continuing to participate in the game. It is also known to exclude certain risk groups from gambling from the outset in order to prevent gambling addiction and disproportionate losses. The latter applies in particular to games of chance in which, as a result of using money, considerably higher monetary gains can be achieved.

The known methods have the disadvantage that a supervisor has to monitor the gambling, which is not possible for certain procedures and on the other depends in its effectiveness on the extent to which the supervisor has a secure judgment on the potential risk of a gambler. In addition, of course, each player must be supervised by the supervisor, so that the known methods are associated with increased staff costs.

The exclusion of certain groups of people from the game can not effectively lead to the result, since although minors can be excluded from gambling, but a threat to a normal adult player can not be suppressed. Thus, the selection of the group of people is only partially suitable to suppress the risk potential of gambling.

The object of the invention is therefore to achieve the safest possible suppression of the risk potential for gamblers by a corresponding method and a suitable device for carrying out the game of chance with the least possible staffing.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 with respect to the method and with respect to the device by the features of claim 6 and the respective subclaims.

According to the invention, a measuring and evaluation instrument is now created that determines the risk potential of the respective game of chance. Depending on the risk thus determined, gambling can then be modified, and this modification can be achieved in a variety of ways. In the simplest case, the player is simply prevented from continuing to play when a certain minimum risk potential is reached. This hinderance can be temporary or permanent.

The essential core of the invention is a measuring and evaluation instrument for determining the risk potential of the gambler. This instrument is based on the recognition that, on the one hand, different games have a different system-related hazard potential. For example, as a result of the short-term gains and visual stimuli associated with the fact that the player may present his winnings to other players, a gaming machine is at increased risk of gambling addiction.

Even games that are carried out via Webscheine, may be subject to an increased addictive potential in draw a so-called jackpot. So z. As in a usual Lottoauslosung in which the numbers to be drawn later a Tippscheines are predicted, then particularly at risk to trigger a rush when extremely high sums of money are accumulated by accumulating a jackpot. Other games can trigger corresponding effects.

The measuring and evaluation instrument will first of all determine a basic potential of the respective game and determine an individual potential for a certain type of player on the basis of this basic potential. Of course, this presupposes that the player can be detected, so that the same player, without necessarily having to determine and store his identity, can be assigned an individual hazard potential. If this is not the case, a game-related hazard potential must be sufficient as a basis for the addiction risk assessment.

Basically, the player behavior can be determined and recorded and determined on the basis of this player behavior, to what extent the player is subject to a certain addictiveness. Increase For example, if stakes are staged exorbitantly, or if the game frequency is increased, it must be assumed that there is an increased addictive potential. On the other hand, not every increased game frequency is also an indicator of an increased risk of addiction of the player, but rather this can be interested even without an addictive risk to be interested in winning a big jackpot. Therefore, expediently, the measuring and evaluation instrument as comprehensively evaluate the player, so that z. For example, his behavior in previous jackpot draws is known so that one can determine how much the player's behavior changes.

In addition, the winning history can be used to determine if the player is subject to additional search potential. For example, if a player has gambled away a win and subsequently re-bets in particular increased amounts, it can be concluded that the player is trying to regain his once-playful prize. This too can be an indicator that the addiction risk is increased, especially if such playing frequencies repeat themselves and the stakes gradually increase.

Preferably, the method is designed so that there is a possibility of intervention when a critical addictive potential is reached. In the simplest case, this possibility of intervention may consist in preventing further participation in the game. Of course, this exclusion from the further game must meet the legal requirement and must not deprive the gambler of his already achieved profit. This means z. B. in the case of a gaming machine, that the profit achieved is paid and possibly the game is continued as far as game-related, so-called credits, ie bonus gifts, the z. B. bring a game extension, are played.

In the case of a ticket-based system, as is the case, for example, in the usual Lottoausspielung, the acceptance of other tickets can be denied. Agencies for lottery tickets such as: As the known number lottery, the racing quintet or other sports betting, are usually connected to each other via a data network and correspond to a central office or with multiple panels. Here preferably the identity of a player can be linked to the game ticket and also earlier game results can be optionally stored. As already stated, this does not require that the identity be determined by name, but it is sufficient if a special player receives a unique identification number or another identification option to which the ticket can then be assigned. When submitting a new ticket, such a system would initially run as a measurement and evaluation instrument that is implemented in the form of software.

The measuring and evaluation instrument would in turn determine how the player has occurred so far and whether his playing frequency z. B. significantly increased. Gives z. B. a lottery player in increased frequency from playing notes, the measuring and evaluation tool can first check whether such accumulation occurs more frequently in this player or whether this player otherwise plays regularly or with continuously increasing stakes. At the same time z. For example, the draw of the jackpot may be consulted and a comparison made of how to match the increased stake of the player with the draw of the jackpot.

If it is determined that the player regularly draws a comparatively small number of additional notes when drawing a larger jackpot, this is determined as uncritical. If, on the other hand, it is found that the bets are increasing and no upper limit of increased gambling use can be ascertained, for example, a critical area of gambling addiction risk can be reached, so that the central office can refuse to accept further game tickets from this specific player.

Unless the identity in the form of personal data is necessarily assigned to a game ticket, of course, this procedure can not prevent the player from making more tickets via straw men or a secondary identity. However, a great success is already achieved in that, for example, the receiving office can be displayed that upon reaching the critical addictive potential of the player who is just trying to make another ticket, gambling addiction is at risk. Here, for example, the receiving office can be automatically requested via the data network to advise the player on his potential gambling addiction. Further, the receiving office additional information material can be made available electronically, for example in the form of rules of conduct regarding this player or by passing on corresponding addiction counseling phone numbers.

Another indicator of an increased addictive potential may be the fact that a player changes his playing behavior after increased profits or even after increased losses. Again, it can be determined when determining the player identity, whether this player changes his behavior to a critical extent, so that then changed the game mode can be, which is that according to the invention the method of gambling is modified.

In a first player behavioral evaluation step, therefore, the measurement and evaluation tool is used to determine the level of gambling hazard potential, which hazard potential is composed either of the individual endangerment of the player or the endangerment of the game or both. Depending on this result of the first evaluation step, the gaming method can then be modified in a second evaluation step. In an optional third evaluation step, a re-calculation of the hazard potential can then be carried out using the measurement and evaluation instrument.

The modification of the game of chance, as described above, consist in the interruption of the game or in the abort of the game. This is of course a very appropriate measure, since it excludes the gambler from further participation in the game. Alternatively, the game of chance can also be modified elsewhere, for example, the wagers can be limited. Thus, the player may well be allowed to continue to participate in the lottery, however, he receives a maximum amount of money, which he may use per draw. Also, this amount of money can gradually be raised again over time, so that the player can gradually approach his original entitlement despite reaching the critical hazard potential.

Finally, it is possible that several levels of hazard potential are identified, or that the achievement of the hazard potential is stored in a database. If a player achieves a critical hazard potential for the second time, this can be used to lower the threshold value necessary for the achievement of a critical hazard potential. This value can then be stored, so that the player reaches the critical value of the hazard potential much faster in subsequent game escalations.

A further preferred application of the measurement and evaluation instrument according to the invention is the execution of gambling on gaming machines. These gaming machines are usually characterized in that a game sequence is graphically displayed on a playing surface, which is additionally animated audiovisual. Here flickering lights and background music further increase the player's attractions, especially the stimuli of taking greater risks, such as showing the profit and, at the same time, giving the opportunity to maximize that profit by pressing a risk button. At the same time, in such devices usually the money will be paid only after reaching a certain maximum amount, up to this time, the gambler can continue to dispose of this amount, without having to enter more coins or bills.

Even with such slot machines, the measuring and evaluation instrument according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously. In such devices can be determined, for example, via an integrated software, in how far the player puts a critical gaming behavior to the day. This software then implements the measurement and evaluation tool and determines the parameters under which the player plays. Here, for example, the playing time and the bet size can be determined, whereby for longer breaks without credit in the device is assumed that another player plays on this device.

Of course, all other technical possibilities are conceivable to determine the identity of the player despite long pauses, for example, can be done via a camera player recognition, even in the form of recognition of a biometric feature of the player. Further, the device may be equipped to require a biometric feature to be scanned from time to time in order for the device to remain functional. Thus, for example, a fingerprint scanner can be provided, which the user must touch at regular intervals, so that the device is able to recognize whether one and the same player has brought a certain playing time behind him. Further, the need to identify with the device may be particularly dependent on the amount of winnings and gaming behavior.

The measuring and evaluation instrument will determine the individual degree of addiction risk based on the course of the game. In addition to the playing time, the behavior as a result of a win or a major loss is decisive here. Furthermore, the actuation of the risk key and the willingness to squander once again profits, whether by spontaneous risk or by slow play, the evaluation can be consulted. In this way, the measurement and evaluation instrument determines an individual addictive potential of the player, whereby here it is assumed that high stakes and high losses increase the addictive potential, in particular that playing time after a high loss with simultaneous reloading of the credit leads to an increase of the addictive behavior ,

The same applies if high profits over a long time are lost again without being retrieved, since experience has shown that the total winnings of such a gaming machine are limited to a certain amount. If the user has already won this amount and is still playing, it must be considered that he acts irrationally and tries to make another profit, which is usually due to the fact that the player is not interested in the win but in the happiness is that is triggered by this profit in him. This is especially true when the playing time is very long, so that it exceeds the usual pastime.

If a critical Spielsuchtgefährdung found, preferably the software of the device will automatically respond to the fact that the game device is switched to an addiction risk mode.

This may be characterized, for example, by reducing audiovisual stimuli to the user. Furthermore, it is possible to limit the risk options, so that the gambler in addiction risk mode can risk his profit only limited, in order to increase this again. Of course, it will also be ensured in this mode that the user gets paid the profit once made, so that no credit escapes him. In extreme cases, however, the addiction risk mode can ensure that another game is not possible and that only granted bonus winnings can be played. So it is possible, for example, that the player forcibly paid his money and the device is shut down. A forced break followed by a restart is of course conceivable.

The gaming device may further include a display capability for the determined value of the addictive potential. After the measuring and evaluation instrument has determined the addiction risks of the player, this value can be shown to the player in a special display area, so that he is made aware of his addictiveness. In particular, it is possible in this case that z. B. the display of addiction phone numbers or other behaviors to combat gambling addiction is intensified or only activated.

Finally, in addictive dangers mode, the gaming device can also be switched in such a way that the game clearly loses its appeal. This can be z. B. happen that the game is slower or that the pauses between the individual game steps are increased. In this way, the player, without having to notice it himself, lose interest in the game and, due to a certain amount of boredom, be automatically resolved to quit the game. Both measures, ie the more or less unconscious slowing down of the game and also the factual ending of the game or limiting the winning sums, can be switched one behind the other and thus combined.

Further, in the case of arranging a plurality of game machines, as is the case for example in the known arcades, each appliance may communicate with another appliance placed in its vicinity or with a central office. Usually gambling addicts tend to use several devices at once or, if it is determined via the measurement and evaluation instrument that the player is no longer allowed to play on a device to use a neighboring device.

Here, it may be advisable to switch to an addictive hazard mode, especially if a particularly high risk of addiction is found, and also the neighboring devices that are in the immediate range of the player. So that the player now does not change into the neighboring room, for example, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the method and the game device arrangement on the original game device on which the player has started to play, a certain residual profit remains which the player would not lose sight of , This game is then switched to the Addiction Dangers mode while at the same time the neighboring devices are either switched off or also switched to an Addiction Dangers mode. However, as the player still has some credit on his original gaming device, he will not leave the gaming device to switch to a possibly more interesting device. For this purpose, for example, the payment of the credit can be denied for a certain time, so that the player must wait for a certain length of time before the game to get paid his credit. At the same time the further playing of this credit can be prevented, which z. B. in a particularly simple and skillful way is feasible that the player bonus games are provided that do not consume credit but also can not trigger a profit, so that he on the one hand does not notice that he actually only a certain time in front of the device on the other hand, but not further exposed to gambling addiction.

Of course, these measures will be programmed so that they meet the legal requirement and that the player is not injured. Is it possible, for example, that bonus games are intervened, which bring the player no profit, but also do not cost money or compulsorily evaluate the stake as a profit.

After a player has played in the manner described above several bonus games in a row without being able to participate significantly in the game, because, for example, no over the risk key reproducible profit was achieved but only a fixed amount of money was won, which corresponds to the current stake, he will Lose interest in the game device.

Since at the same time the neighboring game devices are operated in an addictive danger mode or have already been switched off, the player will lose interest in the further stay in front of the gaming devices without being able to immediately switch to the neighboring device. It can lead with good prospects to the fact that the player in principle leaves the further play and leaves the play hall. As already stated, this is an emergency circuit, which should not block the use of the game device in principle, but should only intervene if the gambler is in danger of exceeding a critical addictive potential. So here is not the regular operation to be regulated, but rather only be intervened if there is a personal danger to gamblers.

Of course, alternatively, the behavior of the gambler can be determined not only on the game device and the gameplay, but in a game room and the identity of the player can be detected. Here again, for example, the biometric features described above can be detected so that the gambling behavior of a gambler can be centrally stored and retrieve each individual gaming device in an arcade or even in a city in the already determined degree of addictive potential. In this case, it is even possible to switch even more remote devices into an addiction risk mode when the player, for example, changes the room or even the arcade.

Finally, it is of course possible that the game room supervisor is informed of the fact that plays on a particular device, a player with increased addiction risk. Another particularly advantageous embodiment of a method for alerting a person is that the player or his therapeutic guardian deposit a certain routine, which is retrieved when the player in turn exceeds a critical addictive potential.

For example, a phone number of a particular confidant may be deposited in a game database, which is automatically displayed when a player reaches a certain addictive potential. In this case, z. B. the Spielhallenaufsicht be informed that at a very specific device, a player is at risk, who has deposited for this case himself that a confidant should be alerted, then z. B. can contact him by phone. For this purpose, the supervisor can be given the phone number of the person of trust and, if necessary, further rules of conduct. Thus, for example, either the player with the person of trust can be connected by phone, or the person of trust in the arcade be called so that they then picks up the vulnerable players and subsequently cared for.

Of course, the alerting system described above via trusted persons can also be carried out using the classic lottery games. Here, for example, the receiving office can be informed that the player wishes to have his trusted person informed when submitting further game tickets.

In summary, the invention thus relates to the technical implementation of the measurement and evaluation instrument in the form of software that reduces the risk of gambling addiction.

For this purpose, the individual risk potential is determined and the game behavior then adjusted when a critical threshold is reached in the case of games that are performed via remote collection points or game stations, such as the known number lotteries or computer gambling that are performed on tested networks can in This network can be arranged a central database, which monitors and evaluates the gaming behavior of a player to be identified. For this purpose, the player can either be identified by a user name or by other features that are stored in the database.

In the case of gaming devices, in turn, the measuring and evaluation instrument can be arranged in the gaming device itself or in an external controller, wherein it is then implemented by software, so that the gaming device modifies its behavior depending on the hazard potential determined via the measurement and evaluation instrument, either to end the game or interactively lower the potential risk until there is no real risk of gambling addiction.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Claims (14)

A method of conducting a game of chance with suppression of gambling addiction by a gambler, the gambler periodically repeating at least one gambling action accompanied by a handler and making a profit or loss as a result of the gambling action, and the gambling action by the game performer Accepted and considered in the performance of gambling as relevant use, characterized in that • in a, the consideration of the game action upstream first evaluation step, a measurement and evaluation tool for determining the risk of gambling for the gambler concerned is applied, • depending on a In a second evaluation step, the gambling process is modified by the hazard potential determined by the measurement and assessment instrument, and • in a third evaluation In the first, second and third evaluation steps, the hazard potential is determined again by using the measurement and evaluation instrument, until the risk potential has dropped below a predefined threshold value. A method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to claim 1, characterized in that the modification of the game of chance takes place in that the acceptance of the game action is denied for an introduced period of time. Method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the gambling is modified by the fact that the accepted cash deposits and thus the amount of achievable profits are reduced. Method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identity of the gambler is determined and the gambling bill introduced by the gambling and / or the frequency and / or the duration of the gambling operations undertaken are detected , whereby the measuring and evaluation instrument, taking into account this data, determines the potential hazard of the gambler. A method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the offered games of chance are divided into hazard categories, depending on the affiliation of the offered gambling to a risk category, the degree of modification of gambling so determined It is becoming increasingly restrictive that the measuring and evaluation instrument increasingly modifies gambling as the risk category increases. Method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the identity of the gambler is determined and the measuring and evaluation instrument adapts the risk potential on the basis of the gambling behavior, whereby as the playing time increases, an increasing risk potential and / or or, with increasing operations and / or losses, an increasing hazard potential is assumed. A method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that gambling is assigned a systemic risk potential that, in conjunction with the personal and behavioral risk potential forms a total potential that is used to modify the gambling , A method of conducting gambling with gambler's gambling suppression as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gambling game is a lottery involving the acceptance of betting slips and the subsequent draw of winning numbers assigned to the betting hallmarks or of the gambler's entries on the betting slips, in particular numbers or via predictions of sports scores given on the betting slips, the gambler makes a profit or distributes a wager after a win quota to the total number of gamblers, characterized in that each betting slip is assigned to a gambler and it is recorded in which frequency, frequency and / or or amount of these gamblers dispatches tickets, which is determined by the method according to one of the preceding claims, a risk potential and when exceeding a critical hazard potential, the assumption of further competition is denied. A method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of a gambling addiction of a gambler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an assignment of the person of the gambler to a bet slip is stored in a database, wherein the receiving agents via a network, before accepting a betting slip, checks the betting slips previously issued for player identity and refuses to accept it, if a multiple bounty of a betting slip by a player and determination of the risk potential by application via the measuring and rating instrument reveal a critical value of the risk potential is determined. A method for carrying out a game of chance with a suppression of gambling addiction of a gambler according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the game history of a specific player and the systemic risk potential of the game played is detected and a software the individual and total risk potential of this player at the time attempted delivery of a further betting slip is detected and the receiving office is displayed and that upon the display of a value above a critical hazard value, the acceptance of the betting slip is automatically denied by the betting slip accepting and forwarding to a game center software. A game machine for executing a game of chance having a facility to set amounts of money as a stake and to be paid out as a result of a game result, the game machine having software for controlling game play, characterized in that the software is a game addiction suppressing routine of the game machine gambler according to one of claims 1 to 7 by implementing the measuring and evaluation instrument, wherein the gambling behavior of the gambler is categorized on the basis of his bets, the duration and the pauses between the bets and / or on the basis of the called or replayed winnings and from the recorded data is determined by the measurement and evaluation instrument a potential risk of addiction and wherein when a critical risk potential is exceeded, either the further wager is limited in amount, the Da a game is increased or the game device refuses to accept further missions. Gaming device for carrying out a game of chance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that when a critical hazard potential is exceeded, the game device is switched to an addictive threat mode, this being characterized in that the intensity of the illumination of a playing surface, the height and / or volume of the sounds Play music or the maximum wager is reduced compared to normal operation. Gaming machine for carrying out a game of chance according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the credit of the gambler is paid in the form of previously entered and / or gained amount of money when exceeding a critical risk potential and the game device after completion of the current game or consumption of any credit in Shape of game advantages is temporarily switched off. Game device arrangement with a plurality of parallel operated game devices for carrying out a game of chance according to claim 12, characterized in that when a critical hazard potential is exceeded, the adjacent, operable by the gambler game devices are switched to the addiction risk mode.