Financial and Legal Aspects of Online Gambling Games Abstract I chose the topic of online gambling and its financial and legal aspects as the subject of this thesis. This work focuses on issues of old and new gambling legislation and provides comparison and evaluation of its changes. This work aims to study and evaluate in detail selected aspects of gambling with prevailing focus on the financial aspects of online gambling and its transformation as a result of the new legal regulation. Particular aspects were chosen in the perspective of latest development in gambling on the Czech market and in the perspective of the latest changes and other development associated with the new legal regulation. Purpous of this work is to introduce this subject to readers and help them understand selected topics. The text of the thesis is divided into three parts. The first part defines gambling and introduces gambling issues in such a way that the reader familiarizes himself with the basics and main concepts that are essential for other parts of this work. In addition to the grounds of this subject, it also focuses on gambling operators, licensing and supervision of gambling operatos. The end of the first part deals with offenses, gambling related crimes and relationship between them. The second part deals with online...

Background: The expansion of the Internet has created nearly endless possibilities for innovations in regards to the e-commerce environment. However, as new technologies emerges, so do the competition on the market. The online gambling industry is not an exception to this notion, characterized by numerous providers with more or less identical market offerings. In order to create competitive advantage to ensure economical growth, a need for customer retention instead of acquisition has been identified. Research question: How can the utilization of relationship marketing foster long-lasting and value-bonded relationships between an online gambling company and its customers? Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to enhance the understanding of relationship marketing and its endorsement in the process of creating long-lasting and value-bonded relationships, and how the concept can be utilized by online gambling companies. The purpose will be achieved by examining,  how online services correlates with online gambling services, and  in which way online gambling companies are actuating the concept of relationship marketing, and  by mapping values which active customers in the industry desires when gambling online. Method: The applied methodology is based on an inductive approach in coherence with the qualitative research method. The primary data which aims to enable the achievement of the stated purpose have been collected through the conducting of three focus groups consisting of online gambling customers in addition to a individual interview representing the online gambling industry perspective. Conclusion: The findings from the empirical data have identified that the online gambling customer has hard to identify the very purpose of a potential relationship with an online gambling company. However, much of the value strived for by the customer can be generated by the successful implementation of an relationship marketing approach. Hence, relationship marketing can be a useful approach for online gambling companies in order to foster long-term and value-bonded relationships, with the simple understanding that the approach itself can generate desired customer values, and that relationships as such does not represent a value strived by the online gambling customer. Suggestion for further research: See section 5.2 page 58 Keywords: Services, Online gambling industry, Relationship marketing, Customer value

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Yes / Flow experience has been widely investigated in experiential activities such as sports, the performing arts, gaming and Internet usage. Most studies focus on the positive aspects of flow experience and its effect on performance. In stark contrast, gambling research focusing on the negative side of addiction lacks an in-depth investigation of gamblers’ (positive) flow encounters. This separation of research lines seems out of place given that recent research indicates connections between flow and addiction. Joining both constructs in a causal effects model helps to gain a better understanding of their relationship and its contingencies. This paper empirically investigates whether and how it is possible to observe a “Janus face” of flow with its various sub-dimensions in online gambling. Empirical data was collected from 500 online gamblers by applying a structured questionnaire with established scales. The data was analyzed with a confirmatory factor analysis and a double-hurdle model to separate casual gamblers who are unsusceptible to any addiction issues from gamblers affected by initiatory addiction issues. The findings indicate that online gambling addiction is negatively influenced by two sub-dimensions of flow experience, namely a sense of control and concentration on the task at hand, while enhanced by a transformation of time and autotelic experience.

This thesis deals with online gambling and specifics of the legislation, which is in the Czech Republic regulated mainly by the Act No. 202/1990, the Lottery Act. After short introduction of the field, there is provided analysis of the latest amendment to the Lottery Act No. 300/2011 and its impact on the poker industry, particularly the online poker industry. Emphasis is placed on the conditions laid down for obtaining a license to operate in lotteries and other similar games, the tax aspects of poker for both operators and players and suitability of inclusion poker under the regime of the Lottery Act. The issue of cross-border gambling is in the European Union closely studied and in the coming years there is to be expected extensive harmonization, which will be based on the fundamental principles of free movement of goods, services, people and capital. In connection with the forthcoming harmonization, the author addresses the issue of incompatibility of the Czech Lottery Act with European law and draws the same conclusion regarding the draft Act on the Operation of gambling, which was originally approved with effect from 1st January 2013. After a brief excursion into the regulation of internet gambling in France and Greece, the author compares the local regulatory tools and instruments with those...

Since its initial inception, cryptocurrency has hit the world with both intrigue and skepticism. It was acting as an alternative form of currency that people could use that required no regulative authority to back it. As such, people had the option to make purchases in anonymous manners, leading to what most would consider unethical behaviours, and ultimately resulted in cryptocurrency gaining a poor reputation. However, specific trends in society have helped cryptocurrency growth to continue. A societal loss of trust in the traditional banking system and the positive perception towards the blockchain technology, which is a peer-to-peer system that cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, operate on are two such trends. Furthermore, recent years have witnessed exponential increases in the prices of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. This has led to widespread stories of people getting rich through cryptocurrency ownership, having been “wise-enough” to buy in on the cryptocurrency trend early enough to reap in the rewards of such as decision. And as a result, leading to more people wanting to be the next big success story and buying in on the cryptocurrency trend. This growing trend has also gained the attention of several multi-national companies, such as Expedia, Subway and Microsoft, who have begun accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Even though specific cases have seen this strategy implemented successfully, the volatility of cryptocurrency still poses a risk that has hindered the ability of cryptocurrency to become a widespread payment option.   Given the current trend surrounding cryptocurrency, this thesis serves the purpose is to investigate another alternative option for cryptocurrency use. That option being the potential for cryptocurrency to be used as an alternative payment option in the online gambling industry. Where it has been used as a payment option in other areas, it would be interesting to identify whether there is potential for the cryptocurrency to be adopted and used in this particular industry as well. In order to investigate this phenomenon from both the consumer and industry point-of-views, this thesis used a mixed-methods study, which consisted of a qualitative study and quantitative study. Our qualitative study focused on the industry side of the phenomena. To carry it out, we conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with managers of a large online gambling company in order to gain deeper knowledge on their perspectives regarding their perceptions towards how cryptocurrency adoption would affect the online gambling industry. Based on the information gained from the interviews, specific themes were identified and further analyzed through a thematic analysis. Those themes included blockchain in online gambling, holding cryptocurrency, regulation and the reputation of cryptocurrency. Our results indicated that managers did not believe the industry was ready to adopt cryptocurrency due to specific regulatory factors, but that it had future potential, mainly regarding its association to blockchain. Our quantitative study focused on interpreting the perceptions of online gamblers regarding cryptocurrency use in online gambling. Specifically, identifying what would motivate them to use cryptocurrency in online gambling and if they were willing to accept it as a payment option. Based on the results obtained through a survey we distributed, we used linear regression to identify if online gamblers were willing to accept cryptocurrency. The resulting outcome was a moderate level of rejection towards cryptocurrency acceptance. The linear regression model also allowed us to interpret which predictor variables held the greatest level of importance towards predicting cryptocurrency acceptance. Those specific variables included cryptocurrency anonymity, usability, ownership, and belief in the future of cryptocurrency.   When comparing the results from both studies through triangulation, we were able to conclude that both consumers and the industry were not ready to fully accept cryptocurrency usage in online gambling. However, both sides indicated positive outlooks towards its future potential as a payment method.

Problem gambling is a public health issue that affects gamblers, relatives and society in general. The Swedish National Gambling Helpline, Stödlinjen, operates as a primary help to people with problems related to gambling. The 22,260 calls made to the helpline from 2009 to 2016 were studied with regards to gender, age, online gambling, psychosocial problems, and crime. Comparison between gamblers and relatives revealed gender and age differences. Reports of online gambling increased for both groups as time progressed, while crime declined. The results are discussed, and it is concluded that more research on the connection between gambling and crime is needed, as well as further develop a crime-aspect in the counsellors’ documentation of helpline callers.

This study investigates how firms in the mobile gambling industry can develop long-term competitive advantages through utilizing firm specific resources and capabilities. The aim of this research is to connect classical theoretical knowledge with the challenges the modern industry of mobile gambling is facing. Earlier research within the subject are limited, however previously findings indicates that fast response time, logic site mapping and security are important factors when consumer are choosing supplier for mobile gambling. Data is collected through a consumer survey and interviews with three industry experts, moreover; a theoretical framework from previously conducted research are underpinning the study. The results show that firms should focus internal resources and capabilities to develop a superior technology. A superior technology can generate numerous of competitive advantages, as well as working as a leverage effect in other areas. Moreover, superior technology will also likely be sustainable over time by being governed by isolating mechanisms. Lower price is discussed as a competitive advantage in the mobile industry, however findings indicates several of long run negative effects enabled through a lower price. Future research needs to investigate how customization and dynamic offerings can optimize a firm’s profit. Future research should also investigate what kind of negative effects mobile gambling could have on the social welfare in terms of total effects.

This study has experimentally determined the effects of reinforcing positive auditory feedback within online gambling. The effects were measured in respect to bet sizing and the pace of gameplay. Higher bet sizes and a faster pace of gameplay signify a higher gambling stake taken by gamblers. The aim of this report has therefore been to settle whether the presence of positive auditory feedback within online gambling could result in greater risk taking amongst online gamblers. To examine this, 41 students of the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm participated in this study by each of them playing 15 rounds of virtual Blackjack. 21 of these students received positive auditory feedback on winning rounds. 20 students did not receive any positive auditory feedback on winning rounds. Previously made research has reported reinforcing sound effects in online gambling to cause a physiological arousal within online gamblers. The results of this study suggest that a physiological arousal caused by positive auditory feedback after winning rounds increases the size of bets being placed amongst low experienced male online gamblers. However, the pace of gameplay is not affected by positive auditory feedback after winning rounds amongst male online gamblers. This study also suggests that a physiological arousal caused by positive auditory feedback after winning rounds does not increase the risk taking amongst female online gamblers. An increase in the size of bets being placed or an increase in the pace of gameplay has not been recorded amongst the female online gamblers of this study whom received positive auditory feedback on winning rounds. / Denna studie har experimentellt fastställt effekterna av uppmuntrande positiv auditiv feedback inom penga- och kasinospelande online, med hänsyn tagen till satsningars storlek samt till speltempo. Satsningar av högre värde samt ett högre speltempo kännetecknar högre risktagande hos kasinospelare. Målet med denna rapport har därför varit att fastställa huruvida närvaron av en positiv auditiv feedback inom penga- och kasinospel online kan resultera i ett ökat risktagande bland kasinospelare online. För att fastställa detta så har 41 studenter från den Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan i Stockholm deltagit i denna studie genom att var en av dessa har spelat 15 omgångar virtuell Blackjack. 21 av dessa studenter mottog positiv auditiv feedback vid vinstomgångar. 20 av dessa studenter mottog ej någon positiv auditiv feedback vid vinstomgångar. I relation till tidigare forskning som rapporterad att uppmuntrande ljudeffekter inom penga- och kasinospel online påverkar kasinospelare till ett uppspelt psykofysiologiskt tillstånd, så föreslår resultaten från denna studie att ett uppspelt psykofysiologiskt tillstånd orsakat av positiv auditiv feedback vid vinstomgångar ökar de placerade satsningarnas storlekar bland lågerfarna manliga penga- och kasinospelare i onlinemiljö. Dock, så påverkas ej speltempo av positiv auditiv feedback vid vinst bland manliga penga- och kasinospelare i onlinemiljö. Denna studie föreslår också att ett uppspelt psykofysiologiskt tillstånd orsakat av positiv auditiv feedback vid vinstomgångar ej påverkar risktagandet bland kvinnliga penga- och kasinospelare i onlinemiljö. Ökningar i satsningars storlek eller ökningar i speltempo har ej noterats bland denna studies kvinnliga kasinospelande försökspersoner, vilka mottog positiv auditiv feedback vid vinstomgångar.

Yes / Gambling research often refers to attitude and belief measurements to distinguish between problem and non-problem gamblers. Past studies also indicated that problem gamblers have a tendency to steeply discount rewards. We join both research streams and investigate the relationships between attitudes and beliefs on gambling addiction with the moderating effects of delay discounting using a novel methodological approach of double-hurdle model. We hereby differentiate the five subdimensions of the Gambling Attitude and Belief Scale (GABS): emotions, chasing, luck, attitudes and strategies. Findings show that emotional predispositions and chasing tendencies are positively related to the severity of online gambling addiction, independent of gamblers´ impulsivity. In contrast hereto, gambling attitudes act as inhibitor for gamblers willing to wait for some time to receive higher reward. Findings show that money-related impulsiveness influences the relationship between sub-dimensions of GABS and gambling addiction: Gambling attitudes and beliefs do not necessarily harm online gamblers but that their positive or negative relationship to addiction depends on online gamblers’ impulsivity.