Call. Text. Chat
Please Call or Text the Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline
855-922-1558
Blog Layout

Why “Free” Online Casino Apps Come at a Cost to Many Players

Aug 31, 2020

Why “Free” Online Casino Apps Come at a Cost to Many Players

Despite the free price tag, slots, blackjack, poker, and other social casino games or apps may pose the same threat to players as any form of gambing - they could become addicted and develop signs of problem gambling. In 2019 alone, Americans lost $3.5 billion to free-to-play casino apps - a significant amount when you consider global losses topped out around $5 billion.

 

How can a free-to-play game cause so much financial harm?

 

New Day Northwest spoke to Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling and Nate Halverson, a journalist with Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting to find out.

How They Draw You In

If you search any app store, there’s no shortage of social casino apps available. They are free to download and free to play, but with these games, there definitely is a catch - and a loophole that allows these companies to follow different rules than in-person casinos.

 

“These games often start out free to play and you’ll get a day’s worth of free credits,” says Whyte. “But then as you play the game, you go through those free credits incredibly quickly.”

 

That’s where the aggressive monetization kicks in. “You then have to buy the free chips or free credits to continue playing, to maintain your progress in the game, to save your levels,” says Whyte.

 

But what’s most devastating is that a person can easily end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars. While technically no money is being wagered, it can end up costing big in terms of buying more playing time. 

Lack of Regulations

Despite having the same psychological and addictive features as their in-person counterparts, social casinos are regulated much differently.

 

“These same games, if offered in an online casino, or in-person casino, would have age limits, would have warning features, would have all sorts of barriers to protect against excessive or addictive behavior,” says Whyte.

 

What’s even more surprising, social casinos can be accessed and downloaded by virtually anybody. “You don’t even have to be 12 years old. Some of these games are even rated T for teen,” adds Whyte. 

Court Cases

The issue has become so problematic, it has made its way into the courtroom. Halverson notes one case where a social casino targeted a woman using artificial intelligence. When all was said and done, the woman ended up spending $400,000 she didn’t have. 

 

“This is a wild west; this is a lawless land,” says Halverson. “In a regular casino, they would have seen that she didn't have the income to be spending $400k. Further, she asked them nearly a dozen times to cut her off. She told them she had a problem, that she couldn't stop spending. What did they do? They just gave her free chips and encouraged her to keep spending. That wouldn't happen in a real casino.”

How to Get Help

Despite a lack of regulations, and as the court cases go through the legal system, there is still good news. Problem gambling is an addiction that can be prevented, treated, and a healthy life in recovery is possible. Those with gambling-related problems don’t have to remain at risk, help is available.

 

“There's hope and help available through the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, they run a toll-free helpline treatment service referral. It's one-stop shopping for people or loved ones who feel that someone in their life may have a problem with gambling,” Whyte said.

 

Assistance is also available through Road to Recovery or by calling 855-922-1558.

3 Tips for Lifelong Gambling Addiction Recovery

31 Aug, 2020
3 Tips for Lifelong Gambling Addiction Recovery

Casinos, Card Rooms, & Lawmakers Provide Resources to Fight Problem Gambling

31 Aug, 2020
Casinos, Card Rooms, & Lawmakers Provide Resources to Fight Problem Gambling

When Does Gambling Become an Addiction?

04 Aug, 2020
Nearly six million adults and about a half-million teens are affected by a hidden addiction. In fact, one of the biggest steps in fighting a gambling-related problem is first recognizing that the problem exists.

5 Questions & Answers on the Dangers of Too Much Video Game Screen Time

05 Jun, 2020
On the heels of COVID-19, we’re all spending more time at home. In some households, that means spending more time with family and baking banana bread - but it also means a likely increase in screen time and online gaming. While online gaming can be an entertaining recreational activity, when does it start to become problematic? We’ve asked the experts about the five things you’ll need to know.

How Problem Gambling Uniquely Impacts Different Communities

01 Apr, 2020
For many, gambling is a fun form of recreation and entertainment. In many cultures, traditional forms of gambling preceded the gambling we know today. From stick games, or bone games, that have specific cultural meanings and purposes in Native American cultures to Mahjong and card games in Asian communities, gambling has been a part of our lives. In fact, it’s more than just fun and games - it serves as a way to bring these communities together. Many cultural factors influence gambling, notions of luck, and social aspects in different cultures. “It’s very much ingrained in our culture,” certified problem gambling counselor Sarah Sense-Wilson tells New Day Northwest of Native American gambling culture. “When you look at the modern-day, we have casinos and different gaming venues where our communities gather for a variety of purposes, and generally it’s a hub for our communities, from funeral services, elections, elder gatherings, and conferences.” It’s not much different in Asian communities as well. “In our community, we tend to be more superstitious,” Victor Loo of Asian Counseling and Referring Services tells New Day Northwest. “In general, when Asian immigrants come to this country, we don’t speak the same language. When you go to a casino, that becomes a universal language.” While cultural gatherings mesh well with gambling and gaming, it can quickly become a problem for some. In fact, Loo notes that in the Asian community, the prevalence of problem gambling can be as high as 60 percent.

March Is Officially Problem Gambling Awareness Month – Here’s What You Need to Know

20 Mar, 2020
Office pools for the Super Bowl and office brackets for the NCAA March Madness tournament seem harmless on the surface - and it is for most. But the reality is that more than two million Americans meet the qualifications of gambling addiction, and another four to six million are considered problem gamblers, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling ( NCPG ). “This can be a really hidden addiction, so there’s nothing that may be obvious in terms of a hangover,” says Certified Problem Gambling Counselor Brad Galvin. “Often, it’s much more subtle. That’s why it’s so important for us to be focusing on this.”
Share by: