Artificial intelligence makes it easier to protect gamblers from themselves
There are plenty of resources available to help gamblers control their urge to gamble. Gaming operators have implemented many features like limits on deposits, time outs and self-exclusion to reduce the harm that gambling addiction can bring a person. However, these tools are often not as effective as operators would want, and problem gambling is an area in which artificial intelligence (AI) can bring many benefits for both gamblers and owners.
AI could be the solution to a long-lasting problem across gambling operators and the constant commitment to run the business under responsible gambling policies. A new solution presented by Danish professor Kim Mouridsen in 2018 uses AI alongside neuroscience to analyze player data and identify the issues with gambling in a timely manner where a solution can be provided. According to Mouridsen, this tool uses professionals such as psychologists and researchers with the goal of teaching these AI machines to learn from experts in the area.
Recently, technology-focused Mindway AI released two different tools to the market: GameScanner and Gamalyze, in their demo versions. The first tool is capable of identifying gambling problems with the same level that an expert psychologist could. It can explain why a gambler is rated at a certain risk level. Gamalyze is another AI tool for self-testing online card games, where the technology behind them can analyze players’ decision-making behaviors to give advice regarding possible problems with gambling he or she might face in the future.
“Operators need a way of communicating with customers so usually they use a blackbox machine which would come up with a score relating to the changing of behaviour through monitoring and it will spit out a risk score, but it’s not really telling you why it’s doing this,” said Mouridsen. “If a player has a high probability of being addicted, the operator needs to communicate that to the customer, which is difficult because you want to keep the customer but also protect them.”