A roll of the dice. The sound of cards being shuffled on a felt table. The image of poker chips as they are thrown into the pot. These are some of the most appealing aspects of gambling. While glorified by film stars such as Sean Connery and Paul Newman, chasing a potential win can also come at a steep price to the uninitiated.
This is why investigative journalists such as Michael Andrew Rosenfeld have become champions of transparency. How does he feel about where the industry is headed? We aim to find out below.
Why is transparency such a central theme in your belief system?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Without transparency, players won’t gamble” Michael Andrew Rosenfeld begins. “They’re not willing to take undefined risks, and this is perfectly logical.”
How have your personal experiences shaped this opinion?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I can still recall times when dejected players walked away from a casino with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.”
Yes, but it’s a well-known fact that the house always wins. Isn’t this part of the appeal?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “To an extent. However, we need to remember that this wasn’t always made abundantly clear in the past. Novice players were sometimes led to believe that a certain game offered a ‘sure-fire’ way to win. This simply wasn’t the case.”
What have you uncovered as an investigative journalist?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “A good deal of my published research has focused on gaming economics; specifically the win-to-loss ratios associated with platforms such as slots, blackjack, and poker. I discovered that some casinos tended to gloss over these important statistics.”
Do you think that this was an intentional strategy of the casinos?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Not necessarily. We need to remember that this type of marketing is built into the system. I wouldn’t consider it any different from a used car salesman who has been trained to upsell any vehicle; regardless of the condition.”
Can you give an example of how a casino hoodwinked players in the past?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Without naming any names, corruption was rife during the 1970s and 1980s. The most common scenario involved casinos that falsely manipulated the odds to further increase the house edge.”
Were players aware of this imbalance at the time?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Not always,” Michael Andrew Rosenfeld claims. “Whether due to inexperience, or the appeal of winning it big, plenty fell victim to such schemes.”
How, if at all, have things changed since then?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “The good news is that plenty of measures have been put into place. This is once again when the role of transparency becomes clear.”
Do you believe that this has something to do with the rise of online gambling?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “With 100 per cent certainty. Digital gaming has forced regulators to take a closer look at outdated policies, and to implement numerous changes.”
What exactly are you referring to here?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Clear non-disclosure agreements, different ways to contact customer support, and games powered by RNG (random number generation) technology are some contemporary examples.”
Have these advancements also affected traditional casinos?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Brick-and-mortar establishments have likewise come under scrutiny, and this isn’t a bad thing. Operators now know that they’ll be held accountable for their actions.”
Do you believe that this is due to increased competition?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “There’s no doubt that this is at least partially true. Physical establishments know that dissatisfied players will simply turn to the online community.”
How does transparency relate to brand loyalty?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “These two notions are bound at the hip,” Michael Andrew Rosenfeld observes with a grin. “Players who feel that they’re being given a square deal are much more likely to remain loyal over time.”
Can you elaborate on the relationship with brand identity?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “This is another important facet of the larger equation. Brands known for their equitable treatment of players will attract others; helping to ensure higher conversion rates.”
Do you think that this is the reason why casinos have become more open with their policies?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Let’s not forget that these establishments are also run by individuals with consciences. While profit plays a role, the vast majority are interested in providing a rewarding experience to all their members. There are certainly altruistic undertones.”
Has word of mouth also exerted an impact on the industry?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “I believe so. Social media platforms such as X allow players to share feedback, to rate the latest casinos, and to express any grievances. This is similar to hospitality aggregators such as Hotels.com, and Tripadvisor. Public opinion can make or break any company.”
Can you provide us with an example of recent technology centred around transparency?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “One system that immediately comes to mind involves online slots games that are proven to be fair after being audited by third parties. This is a great way to ensure a level playing field.”
We have discussed transparency in relation to casinos. What about the responsibilities of the players themselves?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “It’s just as crucial for individuals to know what they’re getting into. As I’ve said in the past, don’t gamble if you can’t afford to lose. A certain level of self-discipline is always needed.”
How can players verify that an online casino is trustworthy?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “Look for a valid SSL certificate, verified credentials, valid operational licences, and recognition from governmental bodies. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”
Are you satisfied with where the gambling industry is headed?
Michael Andrew Rosenfeld. “I’m quite pleased with how far the industry has come. After all, no one wants to play with loaded dice. Transparency isn’t just a marketing ploy. It’s good business sense.”
