GameSecure: The Next Generation in Self-Exclusion

GameSecure is the latest self-exclusion technology in the iGaming industry. Results are added to the database in real-time preventing players from registering with any operator in any jurisdiction from the moment they self-exclude. LCB managed to get in touch with the Canada-based CEO and Co-Founder, Cameron Conn. Read up on the development, procedure, the next steps for the technology and what this means for you as an online gambler. 

Why is GameSecure important?

• Immediate results
• Regulatory compliance
• Player protection
• Reduction in liability for operators and jurisdictions

Without further ado, the interview.

Q: We’d like to get our members acquainted with the company. Please share some background and what led to the development of this technology.

A: My co-founder Yasmine and I have spent the last decade in the gaming industry, with Yasmine’s focus being in the responsible gaming, addictions health and data collection and my focus on gaming operations and customer development. Initially, our career was in the bricks and mortar sector, over time it became apparent with the expansion of iGaming in the US that our joint acumen could be translated to new, scalable solutions in the online space. When starting the company we began with working with regulators and operators on solutions focusing on KYC and user onboarding and identified as we walked through the various processes happening between regulators and operators that there was an existing gap between responsible gaming policies in place and player protection. This undesired exposure spoke very much to the experiences Yasmine and I had in the operationalization of responsible gaming programs across the Canadian market. We realized that once players had enrolled in a self-exclusion program, a portion of those players would try to gain access to a casino after signing up. Working with multiple regulators we identified that there was a notable gap of time between a player signing up for self-exclusion and that information being shared with the rest of the properties in a state. A window of 24 – 48 hours is enough time for a player to decide that want to continue playing, signup for another property and continue gambling before their self-exclusion was communicated. This is a liability for the regulator and operator, but a huge liability for the player to continue harm to themselves.

Q: GameSecure is sure to rock the industry. Gives us an overview of how it works and how players will access it.

A: Much like ID verification services use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to verify if a player can get access to iGaming, our API verifies if a player should get access. GameSecure allows operators to cross-reference a new or existing player who is attempting to access their site against in real-time. This means as soon as a player registers for self-exclusion and is placed in a database, they are immediately declined access to every property using the GameSecure product.

Q: How will the solution manage to reach all operators in real-time?

A: That is the great thing, excluded players are already centralized in a database, it’s about giving operators access to those databases. Each operator is currently required to keep their own duplicate list of excluded players, but it is never really up to date as they are always waiting for the next batch of players to be issued to them. We take away the wait.

Q: In terms of regulators, which are already onboard?

A: We are currently engaged with multiple operators learning the intricacies of their individual database and reporting infrastructures. Fortunately, regulators and operators are investing in responsible gaming solutions and have shown support for GameSecure in their jurisdiction. Since we are a new type of solution the licensing process and product fit are different in each state. We are anticipating formal approval by the end of summer to start operator and regulator integration.

Q: What role did the regulators and/or National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) play in providing feedback along the way – if any?

A: The NCPG and the various regulators have played a huge role in our development. Working alongside Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the NCPG, for a number of years over a multitude of projects, we have understood him to be an incredible advocate for innovation that addresses responsible and problem gaming. Aligning our tool with the NCPG ensures we are always working within best practice guidelines and evidence based solutions.

As clear as our focus has been to support the industry by creating safer igaming environments, it has been the thoughtful conversations with regulators like the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board that have allowed us to sharpen the focus on the specific situations that could negatively affect the industry and the players. We always walk away from these meetings completely impressed by the willingness of regulators to listen and provide feedback on the developments that will ensure the betterment of the industry.

Q: GameSecure attacks the issue of problem gambling head on. You must be incredibly proud, and rightfully so. How do you see the technology evolving from here?

A: As much as we can be proud of the solution GameSecure affords to the industry, we are by far humbled by the relationships we have created that continue to help us. We have built GameSecure to be an agile solution that has the ability to grow and expand with the industry and our partners. As the industry continues to evolve it will become increasingly important to collect and interpret the data that surrounds responsible gaming. GameSecure has the ability to connect a lot of dots that will help us and our partners understand the behavior and demographic traits that will inform future programs, resources, and education.