As the iGaming industry continues to pick up popularity in Poland and across the globe, there have been widespread concerns about prevalent problem gambling cases. While the industry is undoubtedly doing well, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many operators and regulators have to find an answer to gambling addiction cases amidst the industry’s resurgence. For an industry that heavily leans into technological solutions, it was always plausible that one of the pertinent solutions to its biggest problems would be ultimately rooted in technology.
That’s why the concept of bio-haptic feedback has now come to the forefront. This feedback leverages real-time biometric data derived from the individual gamers to help prevent them from getting addicted. With trustworthy iGaming platforms leading the charge for responsible gaming practices, this tactile response technology could be the ultimate saving grace for the industry. So, what does this technology entail? Let’s explore it in great detail.
Understanding Bio-Haptic Technology
Bio-Haptcic technology is a sensory feedback system that leverages biometric data in the users to give out physical responses based on the psychological condition of a user. In the case of the online casino realm, this technology will look at the psychological responses during a punter’s gaming session, starting with the time the Spin City Casino login button is pressed up until the moment the final round of casino games is played. Based on the responses, the technology will then transmit biometric feedback in physical form.
The results of this feedback could potentially help prevent lots of problem gambling incidences. When the results point out red flags, emotional attributes like sadness, stress, and over-excitement, these are all indicators that a gamer may be about to have issues caused by online slots and other titles.
Bio-haptic technology is highly dependent on wearable devices that will monitor key attributes of the body functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, and many other things. Many types of wearable devices track the aforementioned emotional attributes that help the experts to determine whether, as a gamer, you are at risk of problem gambling. These include:
- Smartwatches: These are some of the most common devices that you’ll find in the market nowadays. They help players track key bodily functions as they play their favorite online casino games. The functions tracked may include your heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vitals.
- Smart ring: A smart ring will convey various data while you’re spinning your favorite game. Some of the metrics tracked include body temperature, heart rate, and even your sleep. This information will be vital in evaluating your physical state, potentially notifying regulators of any concerns that need to be addressed, and whether or not you’re at risk, especially when your gambling sessions become prolonged and unhealthy.
- Haptic gloves: These wearables create realistic touch feedback by simulating sensations via wearable technology. These devices are more commonly utilized in gaming situations. That said, they could be used for biofeedback applications on online casino platforms. Regulators could use them to limit physical engagement when the feedback suggests that the gamer is at risk of being addicted to gambling.
Through monitoring these devices, these systems will fish out early signs of addiction before they escalate further. Signals such as the gamer’s heart rate or temperature changes can be indicators of emotional stress which should automatically trigger a response from the operators, regulators, and other responsible gambling organizations tracking these metrics.
What This Could Mean for the Fight Against Addiction
The fight against addiction could be elevated with the introduction of the tactile biofeedback strategy. For starters, the data is tracked continuously and in real-time, which means that should adequate response mechanisms be implemented, we can catch problem gambling at the initial stages and deal with such problems easily as compared to when we do so at its later stages.
Bio-haptic feedback also veers away from the blanket reaction technique that has traditionally been applied to problem gambling cases. Most times, the triggers of these wagering problems are diverse. This means that although solutions might be suggested to deal with the situation at hand as a group, these solutions will most likely not work. However, with the Bio-haptic feedback mechanism, a personal touch is employed, and gamers with any issues will have personalized care which gives them the best chance of successful recovery.
The personalized nature of this technology also enables operators and regulators to give direct feedback to the players. This is great, especially for those who want to analyze their gaming habits and self-reflect. It helps them take personal responsibility because, at the end of the day, the lasting solutions for problem gambling cases have to come from the player recognizing the issue at hand and showing a willingness to change.
The Future of Bio-Haptic Feedback in iGaming
There’s still so much to learn about this technology, and there are also ethical concerns about the validity of usage of the metrics collected by the haptic devices. However, one thing’s for sure: this technology enhances the fight against gambling addiction to an entirely new level. Our hope is that it is given a chance to go mainstream, as there are a lot of perks to be explored. For an industry that is normally welcoming to tech innovations, the chances of bio-haptic feedback going mainstream in the industry are pretty high.
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