GMB – Today, one of the biggest concerns in the iGaming industry is player protection. What is the objective of the Instituto de Proteção ao Jogador (IPJ)?
André Uchoa – The IPJ was created within the betting industry to support players who may develop gambling addiction (ludopathy). We know that gaming should be seen as a form of entertainment. However, when it starts to take over a player’s life, it can become pathological. The IPJ is here to help players escape this psychological trap if it happens, providing technical and scientific support to assist them.
The regulated market began in January, and one of the requirements from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting is player care and protection. Are you able to meet this objective and government requirement?
This concern of the government is fundamental and that is why it has regulated the activity in this regard. We provide support rooms that take place weekly online on Tuesdays to support players and on Wednesdays for their families.
Many players do not recognize that they are pathologically ill, but their families are the ones who support them. That is why we will serve both groups.
We have services from psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists depending on the case and the severity of the condition to treat the player. In this way, we meet this demand and the government's expectations.
How has your work with Superbet and other industry players been?
Superbet has been an excellent partner, very attentive to responsible gaming, and was one of the first companies to implement these services.
For them, gaming is entertainment, not something that should cause harm. That’s why they are our first major partner, and we are open to supporting other operators in the industry as well.
Has it been difficult to engage with operators, or are they actively seeking player support solutions?
With regulation in place, all licensed operators that comply with government requirements prioritize responsible gaming. Many companies have already reached out to us to establish partnerships.
How do these partnerships work in practice? Are there fees or monthly charges?
We charge an administration fee, and pricing packages depend on the operator's player base.
For example, if the operator has a small user base, the cost is lower. If demand grows, we adjust the contract accordingly.
Is this service accessible to operators of all sizes?
Yes. Since we tailor our services to each operator’s player base, smaller companies pay less but still have access to our support services.
Will players feel safe when seeking help from the IPJ?
The first step is to help those who come to us understand that they have a problem. We provide technical support to help them recognize their situation and seek help.
Our doors are open to any operator that identifies a player suffering from gambling addiction. They can refer them to us, and we will provide the necessary mental health treatment to help them recover and regain control of their lives.
Source: Exclusive GMB
