Answer

CASINO BUSINESS IN INDIA VS CASINO BUSINESS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

 

 

 

Introduction. 3

Problem Statement. 5

Purpose Statement. 8

Significance of the Study. 10

Research Questions. 11

Research Objectives. 11

Key Words/Phrases. 12

Literature Review.. 12

Casino Business in the United Kingdom.. 12

Basic Casino Gambling Rules in the UK. 12

Gambling Commission’s Strategic Vision. 16

Consumer Interest Protection. 17

Prevention of Harm to Consumers and the Public. 18

Enhancement of Gambling Market Standards. 19

Engagement in Charitable Works. 20

Regulation Improvements. 20

Casino Business in India. 22

Disparities in Casino Laws between India and the United Kingdom.. 25

Hi-Tech Modernization of the Casino Business. 27

Methodology. 28

Research Questions. 28

Research Design. 28

Data Collection. 29

Data Analysis. 30

Limitations. 31

Results and Analysis. 32

Severity of the Indian and the UK Gambling Laws. 34

Binding Reimbursement. 34

Technological Development. 35

Conclusion. 36

Ethics Form.. 37

References. 38

 

Introduction

            Gambling is one of the oldest human recreational activities that dates back in the Roman Republic and Empire, when people were allowed to place bets on Gladiator death fights. Despite its long history of existence, this activity is often frowned upon following its immense correlation with a broad range of vices such as deception, addiction, money laundering, feuds/riots, sexual immorality, and financial misfortune among other forms of criminality. The same perspective seems to have been extant in the olden ages given the fact that the Roman authority outlawed gambling save for rare entertainment occasions such as gladiator fights. Interestingly, this activity has become a noteworthy part of the economy in various regions such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Its universal acceptance has not replaced the cautionary lens that governments apply when dealing with gambling activities. Such a bold sentiment implies that the modern society is still weary of the casino business following its questionable impact on social welfare. For this reason, different countries apply unique regulations to ensure that inasmuch as their peoples can enjoy the deeply ingrained social activity, they can do it in moderation.

            India and the UK are among the many countries that are still finding ways of generating socioeconomic merits from gambling activities. History holds that gambling was commonplace in the UK as early as the 1500s. In their phenomenal piece, Beshdeleh, Real Angel, and Sinless Bolour (2020) highlight that the earliest gambling activity in this region was recorded in 1539, at a horse racing event in Chester. The fact that horse betting has been a mainstream recreational activity in the United Kingdom for over three centuries speaks volumes regarding its in-depth value to the society. A similar situation is evidenced in the case of India, where horse race betting is also considered a traditional recreational activity since time immemorial. The deep roots of gambling in both regions have not prevented the governments from employing oppressive authoritarian regulations to alleviate its detrimental impacts on the society. Beshdeleh, Real Angel, and Sinless Bolour (2020) contribute to this discourse by highlighting the bizarre stances taken by some legal frameworks with respect to gambling. For instance, nations such as India call for the creation of floating casinos to ensure that only few members of the society who are financially endowed can access such facilities. The so-called “riverboats” implement an outlandish rule that prohibits entrepreneurs from setting such businesses in land.

            In the wake of such a realization, national administrations are often faced with a dilemma revolving around the ethical dissatisfaction caused by the gambling economy: noteworthy is the fact that it is linked to many vices yet it is highly capable of promoting steady financial growth within an economy. Different approaches taken by regions such as India and the UK shed some unique light on this matter. The United Kingdom has really embraced gambling to the extent that it is a normal order of the day, and it contributes immensely to the country’s economic performance. Reports hold that the country recorded a gross gambling yield (GGY) of over 14.4 billion British pounds in 2018: this figure reflects commendable growth from the 8 billion pound yield that was recorded in 2011. This kind of performance is largely attributed to the government’s decision to embrace the business by setting up casinos and other betting sport centers across the nation. Contrastingly, India has a rather conservative approach to this ordeal. Even though the government acknowledges the deep history of gambling, it does not give it a central position in the economy. Only three Indian states, including Goa, Sikkim, and Daman are open to gambling, and they ensure that casinos have limited presence within the country. Together, these states have roughly 10 in-land gambling houses and over 15 outlandish floating casinos.

            At this juncture, this study intends to utilize a quantitative research method to assess the financial regulations and features often acknowledged when starting and managing gambling establishments in India and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the research provides an evaluation of casino business regulations existing in the gambling industry. Therefore the ultimate goal is to unearth the disparities in casino regulations between India and U.K. The rationale of this research is to classify the disparities between casino business laws in India and the U.K for the sake of policymakers, investors, and other vested parties.

Problem Statement

            Casino business is a challenging reality in the modern economic setting since it is characterized by not only national financial growth but also moral deterioration in the society. This dilemma appears to be quite complex considering the fact that gambling has been a mainstream recreational activity for decades if not centuries. The most interesting aspect of such a paradoxical situation is the impact it has had on various nations. In the United Kingdom, the casino business is considered among the oldest industries in the entertainment scenes. Its history in this nation is marked by medieval betting on cock-fights, horse racing, chess, and football among other games. The prominence of gambling in the stated period was evidenced in the number of people from all classes who participated in betting activities. Unfortunately, the lucrative nature of this business was often accompanied by increasing rates of criminal activities, which in turn, compelled King Richard of England to introduce regulatory premises in the English law.

Since the vices could not be overlooked, yet gambling was common among people from all classes, King Richard saw it fit to limit the amount people would spend on bets to a fixed figure of 20 shillings per day: this figure represents approximately 2,800 pounds in the current market value. Since gambling is still a rather controversial issue across the entire human race, the UK authorities have embraced slow transitions geared towards transforming the activity into something that adds value socially and economically. This commitment has been quite seen in the implementation of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Gambling Act 2005 and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963. It should be understood that these laws were not introduced to transform gambling activities parse; they were designed to ensure that their dictates would bring sanity into the system. For instance, the Gambling Act frowned upon the idea of children and other vulnerable individuals participating in the gambling business while the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act prohibited improper practices such as cartel gambling, and the use of excess stakes on games such as Pool, Dominoes, Cribbage, Shove-halfpenny, and Darts. When placed into perspective the government has been slowly embracing gambling, but applying a strict hand to mitigate unwarranted inconveniences that often bring out the dark side of this activity.

Unlike the United Kingdom, India has been quite conservative with respect to the casino business. Despite the long history betting has in this nation, it is considered illegal in all states, except for Sikkim, Goa, and Daman, to engage in gambling. Even in these regions, the recreational activity is mostly conducted in offshore gambling houses designed as cruise ships. The four main offshore casinos in Goa include Deltin Royale, Deltin Caravela, Deltin JAQK, and Deltin Suites Casino. These 5-star floating betting facilities offer over 1,600 gaming positions for high income clientele from various regions of the world. The Indian government decided to take this approach following the negative perspective gambling has in its highly religious region. As a matter of fact, the business has not been well embraced by the leadership due to the criminal impact it tends to have on a society. The central governing law in India is the Public Gambling Act (1867) which was passed to offer a neutral law against gambling: as much as this legal premise does not offer a clear definition of the term ‘gambling’, it prohibits Indians from engaging in any activity that involves gaining or losing anything by chance. This legal premise specifically promises punishment to people owning or participating in activities within a gaming house. The Act defines common gaming house as any walled room/enclosure in which instruments of gaming such as dice, cards, or tables are kept and used for the sake of profit. When placed into perspective, this definition presents a clear ban on the casino business in India.

Fortunately, the Public Gambling Act (1867) offers a leeway for various states to emerge with specific laws to allow them to leverage the economic value of this business while safeguarding community standards. The state of Goa and Daman utilized this premise when they enacted the Goa, Daman, and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976. This act was more of an amendment of the original Public Gambling Act (1867): the legislators legalized the inclusion of slot machines in five-star hotels and card rooms in offshore vessels. On the other hand, the state of Sikkim legalized the activity by enacting the Regulation of Gambling Act (2005), which authorized it to define specific locations where casinos could be established for business. It should be noted that the Public Gambling Act (1867) allowed states to define their gambling laws as long as they paid a specified fee to the central government for as long as the business is in existence.

When reflecting on this section, one cannot help but notice the disparities in the United Kingdom’s and India’s casino business. Inasmuch as both governments experience and acknowledge financial growth caused by this business, each has a distinct approach to the same. The UK government has an open arms approach that has allowed it to establish gambling as a common recreational activity that yields billions of pounds on an annual basis while India continues to frown upon this activity, yet some of its states are obviously benefiting from the same. Such an interesting scenario deserves further investigation to enhance the readers’ grasp of the most appropriate path for stakeholders and prospective players in the casino business in either of the two countries. The preceding postulation is deeply embedded in the belief that the controversial nature of this business suggests the need for stakeholders to learn from practices in other regions engaged in the same.

Purpose Statement

            Economic growth is at the core of all business activities across the world. This claim is quite relevant in the context of countries attempting to capitalize on the financial value of particular businesses. The gambling business has been subject to immense controversy since time immemorial, yet it has a considerable impact on the economic performance of a country. United Kingdom’s annual yields from this business offers a scenario through which its economic value can be affirmed: as mentioned earlier, the country made as high as 14 billion pounds in 2018, and the trend was bound to enhance before the industry experienced a significant blow following the global Coronavirus pandemic. India’s gambling states, Sikkim, Goa, and Daman have been recording interesting economic outcomes due to this business. Recent statistics by Dutta (2017) affirms this claim by highlighting that casinos in Goa generate around 150 million US dollars per year. This performance is quite impressive considering the fact that the gambling houses in Goa are barely twenty years old, and the country is yet to embrace the business as its counterpart, the UK.

            Since both India and the UK are obviously interested in benefitting from the casino business socially and economically, it is fair for the current literature on gambling to place sufficient focus on the jurisdictional opportunities and restrictions in some of the greatest global markets, such as India and the UK. For this reason, the present paper engages its readership in a unique exploration of the disparities between the casino laws in the mentioned countries. Another vital area of focus for this discussion is the use of information technology in the casino business in the UK and India. This point is quite crucial in the present context given the increasing popularity of online gambling in both regions. Recent statistical data on the United Kingdom’s betting industry state that online gambling now accounts for approximately 26 percent of the country’s gambling revenues. This trend is worth intense consideration since it marks at least 16 percent year-on-year growth since the online option was introduced less than 20 years ago. A similar trend is evidenced in India, which presents one of the largest gambling market for online organizations. In their report, Ahmed (2017) found that at least 80 percent of Indians gamble at least once per year. This figure is breathtaking considering the fact that over 500 million Indians use digital communication devices routinely. With a population of around 3 billion people, the number of people placing bets on online casino platforms such Bet360 and BetWay might as well reach a billion. As controversial as the preceding statement sounds, it is inspired by the fact that people without smartphones and other digital communication devices tend to borrow from friends for the sake of betting.

Clearly, some focus needs to be placed on the online aspect of the casino business to offer some insight to future investors, especially in the Indian market, where people spend on foreign gambling sites. It suffices to clarify that this project has a three-tiered purpose with respect to the discussed issues. First, the research will appraise the routine of casinos in India and the United Kingdom. This goal will allow the readership to understand how the business is operated in both regions. Second, the study will create a dimension scale of the United Kingdom and India’s casino laws and financial performance. By correlating the legal and financial aspects of the casino business in both regions, the researcher will allow readers to gain in-depth understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing investors in the gambling arena. Third, the research will offer a review of the modernization of gambling establishments in both India and the UK. A clear picture of the advancements made in each region is quite instrumental in defining the competitive edge available for existing businesses in the gambling scene, and prospective entrants.

Significance of the Study

            The primary goal of any academic investigation is to equip researchers, academicians, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and pundits with sufficient knowledge in an area that remains under-explored. In the wake of such a realization, the present study is bound to enhance the current literature on the casino business in India and the UK. The decision to focus on the legal and technological aspects of this industry is highly likely to shed some light to readers intending to participate in the industry as investors or policymakers. The fact that each of the regions of focus has a different approach to the gambling business is vital in this study. It is fair to remark that each side has something to learn from the other. For instance, India’s decision to place immense restrictions on the gambling business has not prevented its citizens from engaging in online gambling activities. A clear exploration of the United Kingdom’s approach to this business gives India an opportunity to define its legal parameters in a manner that allows it to benefit from the activity. After all, it is convenient for a country to place limitations on foreign direct investments so that its citizens spend their money in local casinos which are still taxed by the government, then the returns still circulate within the economy. The UK has applied this approach to its gambling industry to ensure that foreign investors do not benefit greatly from a business whose revenues often come from the losses made by gamblers. When viewed from this lens, India has a lot to benefit from such a study.

On the other hand, UK policymakers can benefit from this study by borrowing a leaf from India’s offshore casino establishment strategy. For the sake of this argument, it is important to reflect on the recent statistical data on the UK’s gambling industry. Even though the majority of people engaging in casino activities in the United Kingdom comprises of individuals aged 45 years and above, a significant portion of the gamblers include youngsters between the ages 16 and 26. This alarming trend is believed to have been caused by the increasing accessible gambling platforms both offline and online. The UK has this problem since most of its gambling houses are not five-star facilities; hence, they can be accessed by anyone with a decent income and an ID indicating that he/she is within the gambling age. The internet has also had an immense impact in the number of young people participating in virtual casino activities. Since most of the tech-savvy members of the society are youngsters, they are the ones who are constantly bombarded with captivating advertisements by gambling companies. This reality is quite devastating, especially since most advertisements are online after the government placed restrictions on advertisements on cable TV in 2007. Perhaps, the United Kingdom can use India’s approach to reduce the number of youngsters accessing gambling offline premises. The challenge posed by information technology cannot be easily alleviated since it is still an infant concept in the gambling scene, and it is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Research Questions

• What are the disparities in casino laws between India and the United Kingdom?
• Which hi-tech improvements are deemed when starting or managing casinos in the United Kingdom or India?

Research Objectives

1. To appraise the routine of the casinos in the United Kingdom and India.
2. To create a dimension scale of the U.K. and India casino laws and financial accomplishment.
3. To review the hi-tech modernization of casinos in the U.K. and India.

Key Words/Phrases

• Gambling
• Gambling Industry
• Casino Business
• Virtual Casino
• Gambling in India
• Gambling in India
• Information Technology
• Online Gambling

Literature Review

            This section presents an analytical review of the available literature on the gambling business in both the United Kingdom and India. As highlighted in the preceding sections, the key areas of focus include the legal and technological aspects of the industry. Comprehensiveness is crucial at this point since it allows the readership to have a clear picture of crucial matters in this topic as well as the current gap in the extant literature. It suffices to highlight that all of the resources in this section were sourced from credible databases including EBSCOHOST, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Statista, ResearchGate, Wall Street Journal, and World Bank eLibrary.

Casino Business in the United Kingdom

Basic Casino Gambling Rules in the UK

The gambling industry is a major player in the UK economy following the incredible performance recorded in the past few years. According to statistical reports published by the Gambling Commission, the UK recorded a total gross gambling yield of 14.26 billion pounds. Further data show that roughly 3.76 billion pounds from the stated amount was generated by lotteries (regional and national) while 4.24 billion pounds was attributed to Casino gambling (remote and non-remote). Other sectors responsible for the commendable gross gambling yield include arcades, betting, and bingo. Such figures demonstrate the robust nature of the gambling business in the United Kingdom, and the immense opportunity it offers the country with respect to the generation of additional revenues. The success of this industry can be dated as early as the 1500s, when King Richard legitimized it through the creation of regulatory laws. The business became increasingly popular almost two centuries later when people enjoyed on-course betting on horseracing events. The industry further developed in the 1960s when other forms of gambling including bingo halls, casinos, and betting shops gained a foothold.

Due to their novel nature, the modern gambling options have gained a lot of traction among members of the British society to an extent that casinos and betting platforms (online and offline) are the main images that come into an individual’s mind when discussing issues relating to gambling. It is also important to add that almost all the other forms of gambling have been included in modern casino facilities to ensure that people participate in a variety of options. This decision was based on the recommendations made by the infamous Gambling Review Body’s report (the Budd report): the report suggested inclusion of other forms of gambling activities (e.g. bingo and betting among others), live entertainment, and slot machines with unlimited stakes and prizes. In their insightful work, Archer (2020) highlighted that casino is considered one of the least problematic forms of gambling with respect to illegality. The Gambling Act has a set of stringent rules placed on various activities that often paint gambling in bad light. First and foremost, participation of an individual aged below 18 results in a fine of 1,000 pounds, which is compensated by the casino. This regulation plays a major role in ensuring that under-age citizens are prevented from participating, especially since the potential loss is not worth the risk. Noteworthy is the fact that hiring underage persons in such facilities demand five times the highlighted fine and 51 weeks imprisonment. Attempts to cheat or engaging in any fraudulent gambling activity also attracts a fine of 5,000 pounds and 51 weeks imprisonment. Another unwarranted activity that attracts similar outcomes is advertising on mainstream media, following the 2007 ban. Among these simple rules, the ban on advertisements is quite interesting since it shows that as much as the government acknowledges gambling as a normal recreational and/or professional activity, it does not wish to gear masses towards that direction.

The safety measures taken by casinos to safeguard the society inspires confidence among industry stakeholders. In an interview with the Gambling Commission, the Chief Executive Chairman of Hippodrome Casino London mentioned that casinos have sufficient levels of player control and protection. He goes ahead to explain how the vigorous employee training and licensing ensure that participants are old enough, and of sound mind before they are allowed to engage in any activity. The fact the electronic aspects of this business, such as the slot machines, are monitored at all times to ensure that the player behavior is in line with legal expectations dictated by relevant jurisdictions. For instance, the slot machines limit the amount and time spent by players so that no one will spend unnecessarily on a losing streak. Somehow similar limitations are also placed on other activities such as the buy-in and win-lose games: a person spending over 1,500 pounds in such activities is expected to offer full photo ID, which is then scanned in government databases to ensure that the money is clean. Regardless of the subtlety of such safeguards, they manage to promote sanity and productivity in the casino business.

            The United Kingdom government has placed specific rules that ought to be followed by people wishing to participate in gambling. As far as admission is concerned, the government allows people to engage in gambling activities as soon as they are admitted. This admission process usually involves the provision of personal information such as name and date of birth. Prior to December 12, 2007, the players were expected to give their ID or passport, but this rule has since been lifted. Nowadays, a prospective player is requested to pose for a digital photo which is taken on spot, then included in the organization’s systems. In case of inappropriate conduct, the image is used in legal systems to identify and report the individual. Since identification documents are not requested upon admission, the employees are trained to identify underage persons by sight: it appears worth clarifying that the large wins require players to give their ID or passport before the funds are reimbursed to them.

Kesavan & Bernacchi (2019) notess that participation in a majority of the casinos in the United Kingdom demands membership. In their view, these establishments operate as clubs, which allow them to control the behavior of their members. When reflecting on this point, one cannot help but acknowledge the fact that packaging casino services as in the form of club membership gives the organizations an opportunity to evaluate various aspects such as financial stability, individual character, and tax history before including someone as a member. In some way, this approach allows the organizations to mitigate unwarranted issues which are often termed as “problem gambling”: a common case is the exhaustion of family property in gambling. The membership system ensures that people participating in the activity are well endowed, and qualified to risk their finances.

The UK government values its citizen’s economic growth, so it does not allow gambling institutions to operate in the morning hours. It is typical for casinos in this region to open around 2pm to 6am, except for Christmas, when they are usually closed. The gaming rules in UK casinos are usually regulated by the Gaming Board, which focuses on ensuring that people gamble under supervised conditions with fair odds. Common games in the UK casino business include Dice/Craps, Roulette, Casino/Caribbean Stud Poker, Blackjack, and slot machines (mainly Fruit Machines, Three-Card Poker, and Touch-Bet Roulette Machines). It should be understood that most of these games are designed in a manner that prevent immense lose on the side of the player. As highlighted earlier, some have limitations on the amount of money and time someone can spend in a particular game. For instance, the blackjack table minimum for UK players is Ł3 to Ł25 per spin George, Velleman, & Weobong, (2020). Even though this rule does not attempt to reduce the amount of money used by players, it ensures that only those who can afford the game can participate in it. Other examples of such games include the Grosvenor Victoria Casino Mah Jong, Poker, and Kalooki tournaments, which usually involve high stakes and relatively huge winnings. Others apply the ‘La Partage’ rule, which usually requires the gambling house to reimburse half of a player’s stake if his/her bet results in zero outcomes. Liston & Pineda, (2020) found it interesting how the Gaming Board for Great Britain utilizes the ‘La Partage’ rule to prevent players from losing all of their bets on the wheel roulette: under this rule, people do not lose as much as they would otherwise. At this point, it is obvious that the basic rules of casino gambling in the United Kingdom are designed to reduce the number of low-income and underage persons participating in the risky activities. Also, the regulations help mitigate massive losses by placing player-centric limitations on some games.

Gambling Commission’s Strategic Vision

            In its recent press release, the UK Gambling Commission presented its 2018-2021 strategy which was dubbed “making gambling fairer and safer”. In this document, the regulatory body envisions an industry where consumers are empowered to make informed choices. The context of this statement incorporates various elements including a clear grasp of their rights, confidence, and heightened awareness of risks when gambling. It goes without saying that such a noble vision is geared towards the creation of greater value systems to guide the casino business. These goals are clearly spelled out in the commission’s five strategic priorities including protection of consumer interest, prevention of harm (to not only consumers but also the public), enhancement of gambling standards, engagement in charitable works, and regulation improvement. The present section offers an in-depth exploration of this strategy to have a clear grasp of the specific rules that have been recently introduced by the commission to improve the country’s casino business.

Consumer Interest Protection.

The key area of interest in this strategic priority is effective utilization of information to enhance gamblers’ experience. According to Adnan, Hay, and van Staden (2018) the Gambling Commission intends to make it easy for customers to access meaningful information and controls that allow them to make effective gambling decisions. For this reason, the commission has mandated gambling institutions in the United Kingdom find ways of equipping customers with easy to use and reliable tools to improve their gaming experience. While there exists a noteworthy grey are in the commission’s definition of what the right tools ought to entail, one cannot help but agree that statistical tools on the probability of successful bets can play a huge role in enhancing gamblers’ choices. After all, a player is highly unlikely to place huge stakes on a game or odds that have proven inefficient in multiple games.  Lo (2020) contribute to this discourse by stating that risk assessment tools are quite instrumental in allowing gamblers to decide whether their financial status allows them to engage in certain activities. A similar perspective is held by Lo (2020) who believe that casinos should operate transparently to gain the society’s trust. When viewed from this point, the introduction of effective analytical tools will generate trust since people’s decisions will not be based on mere chance alone. Another important goal for the Gambling Commission with respect to the promotion of customer interest is the creation of independent, transparent, and fair dispute resolution frameworks. This aspect is quite necessary considering the skepticism that is often evidenced among gamblers. The lack of transparency in the casino business often limits participation among the people. Such a sentiment reflects the pessimism in comments made by the Gambling Review Body, under Sir Alan Budd: according to the Joint Committee, gambling should not be encouraged since it is morally harmful. According to the report, casino activities ought to be “tolerated and contained” rather than supported by the administration. When placed into perspective, the gambling commission’s vision presents an avenue through which the concerned made in the Budd report in the previous decade can be resolved.

Prevention of Harm to Consumers and the Public.

In the commission’s wordings, gambling-related harm occurs when this controversial recreational activity jeopardizes individual, family, and community stability. It goes without saying that gambling tends to bring about financial, psychological, and social problems which cannot be understated. Some of the common cases include huge debts, bankruptcy, irresponsibility, crime, and immorality due to the lifestyles that are subtly promoted in the gambling scenery. This issue has been a major area of concern for the UK Gambling Commission for years now since it has always advocated for government funding for the sake of mass education and psychological treatment of affected individuals and families. So far, little has been done to resolve this issue since casino operators have not demonstrated financial commitment to the same. Martinez (2019) criticizes this wanton disregard for social welfare by adding that it is not only morally unacceptable but also unsustainable when organizations in the gambling sector do not focus on building an empowered market as per the National Responsible Gambling Strategy introduced by the government in 2019.

            In the midst of such a disheartening reality, the Gambling Commission vows to prevent consumer and public harm through various actions such as engaging in legal warfare against operators that fail to corporate in the pursuit of safe gambling conditions. As one of the official oversight and regulatory bodies in the UK gambling industry, the commission intends to bolster its position as a leader. According to Lo (2020), this goal can be implemented only by engaging in inter-organizational operations involving consumer unions, expert agencies, casino operators, and policymakers. Once these kinds of collaborations have been made, one can confidently agree that the commission will be in a position to influence industrial transformation on a large scale.

Enhancement of Gambling Market Standards

Regardless of the United Kingdom’s current progress in the gambling industry, little has been done to facilitate and safeguard fairness and transparency in the market. Mkundhan, Sahasranamam, and Cordiero (2019) make an interesting assessment of the industry as it is in the 21^st century: according to them, customer protection measures have been perceived as a matter of technical compliance rather than value-oriented approaches to consumer experience. This kind of approach is not beneficial for a service-intensive industry such as gambling. If, at all, the industry is to maintain inter-generational growth, it should designed in a manner that does not threaten the society’s morals and financial growth. The preceding statement explains why casinos and other gambling operators are expected to partake in corporate social responsibility with the aim of creating an improved race of human beings. According to the Gambling Commission, the most appropriate step to take in this direction is to promote accountability to both the customer and the regulator. By maintaining accountability to the regulator, operators are deemed compliant, but when they also focus on the customers, they come out as value-based institutions.

            As far as this strategic goal is concerned, the Gambling Commission requires operators to design up-front protection to their products. As discussed earlier, this intervention mainly revolves around the development of data analytics tools and technologies to detect and prevent excess risks (harmful gambling), crime (such as money laundering), and other vices that are often associated with the casino business. It suffices to add that the commission can only intervene within the restrictions placed by its License Conditions and Codes of Practice. It will do so by holding defaulters to account through legal strikes, and facilitating competition by releasing benchmarking reports on the gambling facilities that are up to date with emergent progressive market rules and expectations.

Engagement in Charitable Works

Corporate social responsibility is a major aspect of business, and its importance in the gambling industry should not be underrated. At the onset of this report, it was stated that this sector of the British economy accounted for revenues worth over 14 billion pounds per annum. The fact that a most if not all of such revenues come from the losses experienced by the citizens in their gambling sprees implies that some portion of it should be dedicated to good causes. The UK National Lottery is a commendable example of a segment of the gambling industry that gives back to the society through funding good causes such as community projects, arts, sports, and culture and heritage among others. As a matter of fact, the National Lottery spends over one billion pounds on good causes every year. In his view, Osinki and Sandford (2020) UK casino operators should borrow a leaf from their industry counterpart. Casinos have not been major participators in such activities, especially since their key area of focus has been the improvement of the exclusive high-end services they offer their often wealthy clientele.

Regulation Improvements

After many decades of activity, the UK gambling industry has proved that success is attainable as long as the system is well-regulated. This reality can date way back in the 1500s when England’s King Richard reduced the chaos and violence that often characterized horse and cricket betting by setting rules. When viewed from this point, it is apparent that the industry has the potential to grow towards a future where few people will be skeptical when it comes to gambling. Effective regulation will prevent operators and players from engaging in immoral acts as they pursue profits and entertainment. The gambling commission intends to achieve this goal by applying broad long-term viewpoints when designing regulations for the entire gambling industry. Beshdeleh, Real Angel, and Sinless Bolour (2020) comment that as much as this strategy is bound to cause immense outcomes, it is highly unlikely to result in sufficient progress if the commission does not apply a risk-based approach. In a risky business such as the casino business, regulations should target potential issues that are highly likely to result in retrogression. Another vital factor to consider, according to Sosa, Bichler, and Quintero (2019), is effective utilization of data and information. Informed action is a crucial aspect of legislative efforts geared towards the establishment of industries. The commission is working towards this end by seeking collaborations with key stakeholders including operators, regulators, industry partners, and consumers to generate sufficient data on their industrial experiences and expectations. With this information, the commission will be in a better position to facilitate industrial growth.

            At this point, it is fair to conclude that the casino business in the United Kingdom has experienced some plausible growth since it was embraced into the mainstream economic arena. This performance has been largely attributed to the stringent rules placed by the government to ensure that operators and players participate in a manner that does not soil social morals. Since financial stability is a major area of concern, most of the rules have been designed to safeguard customers, their families, and the society at large (Prata, 2019). These regulations are developed to mitigate common industry pitfalls such as money laundering, cheating, harmful gambling, and other forms of morally questionable aspects of the business. The UK Gambling Commission is doing a rather impressive work in keeping the industry on its toes with respect to the legal measures passed to promote safety and fairness. Considering the present pace of growth, it appears wise to assert that consistency will result in immense industrial growth in the future while reducing the current pessimism in matters pertaining to gambling. Despite this growth, it is obvious that the industry has a long way to go before it is fully embraced by the society. The government has an immense role to play with respect to the growth of this business.    

Casino Business in India

            India has a unique long-standing history with gambling. Archeological researchers in the Indus Valley archeology site unearthed prehistoric dice cubes made of terracotta and sandstone. According to their report, these artifacts date back in 3300 BC. Legend has it that the ancient generation of human beings participated in traditional gambling such as sport betting and animal fight (mainly cocks). Despite this lengthy history, it is one of the industries that are highly frowned upon, particularly by the government. However, gambling between family and friends is acknowledged on religious seasons such as Diwali as long as it is not done publicly. As a matter of fact, the Madras High Court described the offensive state of gambling in a case involving Nimmagadda Raghavalu and colleagues versus an a citizen whose anonymity was demanded after the case of discharged. The magistrate argued that this recreational activity becomes a criminal offence when done in public places and common gaming houses. The fact that they gambled in the presence of people who were present in the defendant’s house during the family event disqualified since the house did not meet the definition of a common gaming house which had to be maintained (through rent and interior designing) for the sake of the gambling activity (Pearson, 2017).

            India’s restrictive approach to the gambling industry is based on the Public Gambling Act (1857), which was actually derived from the Betting Act (1853) and the British Gaming Act (1845). This law does not allow the Indian citizens to participate in any activities of chance. One of the most fascinating issues regarding this law is its peculiar distinction between games of skill and games of chance. In the Unlawful Games Act (1541), games of skill such as bowling and tennis were illegal, before this clause was repealed under the British Acts (1845), then they became categorized among games such as chess and horse racing. In some way, this move was geared towards the appreciation of the country’s historic roots in gambling. It should be noted that among these activities, horse racing was accorded a license under the Bombay Race-Courses Licensing Law (1912). A similar move was made by Bengal Presidency Act VII of 1867, which legalized staking on and winning in in the course of a horse racing event. Meanwhile, the government had national lotteries whose returns were often employed in socioeconomic development. The promulgation of the Indian Constitution in 1950 presented immense transformation of the regulations on gambling and betting: laws pertaining to these activities fell under Entry 40(1) of the Union List. This landmark event resulted in the adoption of fundamental principles of the Public Gambling Act (1857), which allows each state to develop and implement its own legal framework on gambling. Generally, the casino business is classified as a game of chance within the Indian gaming market. Other categories include lotteries, prize competitions, horse racing, games of skill, and sports betting.

            Games of chance have been subjected to intense ambiguity in India’s legal structure, especially since states are allowed to implement individual laws, yet the central government and a large portion of the population hold gambling in negative light. For this reason, only the states of Goa, Diu, Daman, and Sikkim have declared their openness to the casino business. Together, they have four offshore casino vessels and six onshore casinos: Note that Goa accounts for the lion share of this investment since Daman, Diu, and Sikkim have single onshore facilities. Goa’s decision to set up floating casinos in Goa is one of the most interesting decision in the Indian gambling industry management: noteworthy is the fact that the four vessels, including Deltin Royale, JAQK, Pride, and Pride 2 have gained the attention and appraisal among wealthy gamblers across the globe and policymakers for its innovativeness with respect to the protection of socioeconomic values within the Indian society.

            India’s casinos have generated reputation for their glamorous and fulfilling top-notch services to high-end clients. According to market reports, these casinos offer over 1600 offerings. The expensive nature of these facilities prevents individuals in risky financial positions from participating in activities that threaten their livelihoods. The key requirements for participating as a gambler in the Indian casino scenery is age and identity verification. These facilities also offer premium club membership through subscription, which explain the recent surge in the industry, which has seen it generate over 60 million dollars profits on an annual basis. This performance is highly interesting considering the fact that the industry is highly likely to grow now that the nation has witnessed the financial opportunity this business presents offers. Unfortunately, the situation is far from the glitters given the ethical dilemma it poses. It suffices to mention that decision to embrace the casino business on a national scale will not only attract profits but also the potential damage to its citizen’s social welfare.

            Goa’s phenomenal decision to set up floating casinos was inspired by the need to keep the citizens safe from the vices often evidenced in the gambling industry. One of the negative aspects of this business is harmful gambling, and it has gained attention across the society for its detrimental impact on the financial, social, and personal spheres of its customers’ lives (Ozurumba & Kim, 2017). Financial damage caused by the gambling industry tends to be caused by binge-gaming in the casinos while consistently losing life stability due to an irrational expenditure in a game of chance. Once a person starts losing money to gambling addiction, he or she makes obscene risks such as selling personal assets and loans for yet another chance to recover initial stake. At this point, this individual is likely experiencing rocky relationships with close relatives and friends due to the impulsive habits. Notably, the end of victims of this challenge often end up with psychological challenges. Considering the amusing nature of this recreational business, the government of Goa deemed it fit to keep the facilities away from the masses. Furthermore, the executive services offered by these casinos make it hard for people with inadequate income to participate in activities might result in avoidable inconveniences.

            It is important to restate the fact that only Daman, Goa, Diu, and Sikkim have legalized public gambling. Any participation in games of chance in public attracts up to three months jail term and/or a thousand rupees depending on the nature of the offence. This restrictive approach appears as a contradiction considering the increasing number of citizens gambling in the unregulated online betting and virtual casino systems. Ullmann (2019) demonstrates how this situation is a marvel since India is currently among the leading markets for online services such as betting, lotteries, and virtual casino slots. With a population of over 3 billion, it wouldn’t appear too far-fetched to embrace the recent statistical report which asserted that over one billion Indian citizens are using the internet. The fact that at least 80 percent of its populace engages in an online gambling activity at least once per year if not more.

Disparities in Casino Laws between India and the United Kingdom

            After a rigorous exploration of the extant literature on casino business in India and the United Kingdom, this literature review leads to the conclusion that while both countries have lengthy history of gambling activities such as cock fighting and horse riding, they apply different worldviews which influence how they deal with the ethical dilemma as well as how they earn from the same business. Before further exploration of these differences, it is important to population difference which are recently rated at 1.366 billion (India) and 66.38 million (UK) citizens.

            One of the greatest disparities in casino laws between the countries in discussion is the conservative approach against UKs progressive, yet daunting strategy. In their article, Yamada (2017) states that the UK has learned to not only acknowledge but also embrace the risks posed by this business. Deeper insight on this matter reveals the government has placed convenient effort towards promoting sanity in this business while mitigating its controversial vices. This approach has resulted in consistent revenues of over 1 billion pounds on an annual basis. The same cannot be said of India, where only four (Sikkim, Daman, Goa, and Diu) in 29 states have embraced the casino business. Furthermore, the government’s stringent approach has seen four in roughly 10 gambling facilities in the four states. The decision to limit the establishment of such resources have made them highly popular among high-end clients from across the globe while limiting accessibility to low-income members of the society. Admittedly, this approach does a commendable job in discouraging people from squandering money unless their financial status allows them to partake in the games of chance. Economically speaking, India’s conservative legal prevents it from making sufficient revenues from the business. The fact that India earns a mere 60 million dollar annual income yet its population is significantly large compared to the UK. This trend marks an apparent wake-up when analyzed with a particular focus on economic value.

Nonetheless, these differences go beyond the immediate economic value, when the restrictions in India re-direct its citizens’ attention towards online gambling, which now accounts for 80 percent of one of the largest global markets. This factor is quite devastating considering that most if not all virtual casinos and online betting operators earning from the Indian market include UK investors such as Betway and Bet365. The UK has also been challenged by its progressive legal solutions which have resulted in the increased accessibility among a broader portion of its population. Perhaps, increased clarity on the appropriate practices has played a crucial role in managing a billion pound industry while safeguarding citizens from retrogressive outcomes.

Hi-Tech Modernization of the Casino Business

            Technology is one of the most discussed topics in the modern world considering the immense impact information and communication solutions have had on fundamental sectors of the global economy including retail, production, and consumption of goods and services across every industry. The casino business is not an exception when it comes to this trend. The integration of technology in the casino business has been triggered by the need to enhance consumer security, customer service, and system monitoring. One of the many ways in which security is enhanced through digitization of routine processes is the data warehousing (offline and cloud solutions) software which allows them to facilitate efficacy in various functions including facial recognition and customer behavior monitoring. The first utilizes database content that only authorized individuals can access the services and amenities offered in the institution. On the other hand, the latter allow operators to keep tabs on each player’s activities, particularly on the machines, which can be manipulated to compromise business outcomes. It appears wise to acknowledge that casinos from both India and the United Kingdom have embraced the digital innovativeness in their dealings with high-end clients. Recent developments in this involve the introduction of radio-frequency identification devices in poker chips to mitigate security challenges such as theft and counterfeiting. Customer service is also enhanced through the creation of intelligent online portals that have chat bots to ensure customers do not land in a dull page. These chat bots are developed with a backbone in Artificial Intelligence to facilitate progressive learning from user data to ensure that the experience is improved in future online/virtual interactions. Generally, each of the discussed digital solutions have been introduced in the recent past to promote progress in the gambling industry with respect to the ethical and economical challenges it poses to the community.

Methodology

Research Questions

As highlighted in the introductory section, this study intends to generate satisfactory answers to the following questions:

• What are the disparities in casino laws between India and the United Kingdom?
• Which hi-tech improvements are deemed when starting or managing casinos in the United Kingdom or India?

Research Design

This study tackles the research questions from a quantitative non-experimental association analysis standpoint. The quantitative analysis approach is utilized in the study given that comparative evaluation amid the casino industry in India and the U.K, depicts the relative comparing quantitative variables. Furthermore, to appraise the correspondence within the maneuvers and data linking casinos in India and the U.K., it is obligatory to exploit a characteristic procedure. Researchers emphasize that a descriptive approach is a basic design that surveys the situation, as it appears in the current case (Martinez, 2019). The illustrative system integrates peculiarities of aspects of considerable encounter based on an observational basis or the appraisal of the connection connecting two or more observable facts.

In the study, the variables consist of casino markets developed in India and the U.K. The purpose of the quantitative design is to assess, categorize and create statistical representations and data to explain the assessment. Proportional research not only elaborates the existing conditions amid the variables but precisely appraises the link between two or more variables of importance. A quantitative research design can be the most appropriate design for this study compared to a qualitative research approach or mixed methods.

The research appraises the examination questions from a quantitative non-experimental association investigation perspective. The research will be conducted utilizing evaluations to accumulate data on the connection linking the gambling commerce in India and U.K. In this study, the variables incorporated centering on dependent variables. The primary purpose of the research is to establish the analytical affiliation within the casino industry in U.K and India, demonstrated by the occupation contentment, management group, lawful policies and user approval within these localities (Kathuria & Dhaulta, 2018). The investigation tools comprise group dialogue, questionnaire, interview and research since the study questions are founded on recognizing if the government regulations and financial benefits are identical or dissimilar between casino commerce in the U.K. and India.

The investigation uses a feedback system which comprises six Likert-type combinations where 1= completely agree, 2=slightly agree, 3=agree moderately, 4=strongly,5=disagree, 6=moderately disagree. The design included 24 inquiries which are assorted into three sub-scales. These include (a) the severity of the set of laws, (b) binding reimbursement, and (c) technological development. Each sub-scale had a portion of four proposals and combined both contradictory as well as satisfying answers. When the result of sub-scales is assessed, the unenthusiastic estimations are dispensed with invalidating accomplishment. All these measures will be merged into a single unvarying article.

Data Collection

The research tools will comprise group-based discussions, questionnaire, and interview and observation. The study requires the Human Resource manager of casinos from both states to present reply anxiety with their perception concerning the rule and technical progression practical among casinos in India the U.K. (Adnan, Hay & van Staden, 2018). This will be accomplished through interviews. The research also integrates asking the users or regarding the particular aspects they prefer while deciding the casino they like. The user’s opinion is achieved by utilizing interview and observation, and group-based discussions. The research integrates questionnaires in attaining precise and considerable feedback from the users and the workers from the casinos in the U.K. and India. The research will include 220 users and 100 personnel from casinos in both states. The analysis predicts using an aggregate time arrangement of data collection to be one week, as a reasonable standard of data is collected from the participants in six days.  Before progressing with the investigation, the partakers will present their content and well-versed that the investigation and investigation information is preserved for six months.

Data Analysis

The broad statistics examination for the association amid the casino industry in the U.K. and India displays a replica to a considerable constructive connection connecting the set of laws executed in the states. The research recognizes that administration policies have both optimistic and pessimistic impact in the gambling companies in both the U.K. and India. Furthermore, these policies have not only an effect on the industry but also the users (Yamada, 2017). For example, the research recognized that India is described as the next noteworthy betting state worldwide. Nevertheless, four regions in India allow betting business. These states are Sikkim, Dui, Goa, and Daman.

Only five-star hotels and on the water can casinos be set India, where travelers are liberated to use their occasion. In India certificates assisting in establishing a casino can be filed in maritime. The research integrated a quantitative statistics examination following the study procedure.  Twenty-three casinos responded to an online analysis, but only ten adhered to the betting industry demands. Matching records were interrelated to achieve the connection coefficient by resources of the Pearson product-moment association coefficient (Yamada, 2017). A separate correspondence coefficient will be used to classify the alliance intervening variables of the casino industry in India and U.K. routines. Tables will be developed founded on relevant data, and the links between the variables will be appraised. After considering the possessions and connection among the variables, controversy for the results allied to the gambling industry in India and the U.K. will be acknowledged.

Limitations

Different limitations will emerge in the research. The initial restriction is that the study has to be carried through technological platforms, considering it engages travelling to India and the United Kingdom. For example, the group-based conversation and dialogue will be performed through social media approaches such as Skype. Such methods frequently demand sufficient internet supply to guarantee unproblematic video conversations. The interval between India and the United Kingdom makes it difficult for the researchers to corporally study how the businesses operate (Archer, 2020). Furthermore, with the current epidemic, visiting the casinos can be restricted, thus, making it challenging to recognize how the businesses operate on ordinary days.

The next limitation is the incapability to definitively establish if there is a relationship between the variables being studied. Any association might be unplanned or another aspect’s outcomes not articulated in the research. The third limitation is that the study questions may be bewildering to other partakers, mostly those with complexities in comprehending English as the primary oral language. The research aims to diminish the perplexity by using existing study tools which possess a substantial raise to authenticity, and various researchers have used before this study (Ullmann, 2019). The ultimate limitation is the fact that this is a quantitative non-experimental investigation. Therefore, it may not be apparent to administer the variables being studied to ascertain the correct response.

Results and Analysis

It is important to clarify that this study collected questionnaire responses from 300 respondents on questions revolving around the severity of the laws, reimbursement processes, and the integration of technology. On this note, this investigation used a feedback system which comprises six Likert-type combinations where 1 = ‘Completely Agree’, 2 = ‘Slightly Agree’, 3 = ‘Agree Moderately’, 4 = ‘Strongly Disagree’, 5 = ‘Disagree’, and 6 = ‘Moderately Disagree’. This section presents and discusses the questions and results in the study to unearth solutions to the research questions.

 

Severity of the Indian and the UK Gambling Laws

 

1. The UK is more open to the Casino business compared to India.
2. The Public Gambling Act (1867) gives Indians an opportunity to build their gambling business.
3. Gambling in most parts of India results in punishment.
4. The UK casino business exposes underage persons to gambling.
5. India should not change its offshore gambling strategy.
6. UK’s progressive approach is the most effective way of allowing citizens to engage in casino activity while safeguarding their welfare.
7. Breaking the gambling laws in both UK and India results in convenient punishment.
8. Stringent laws are responsible for India’s poor economic performance in the gambling industry.

 

Binding Reimbursement

 

9. The United Kingdom’s ‘La Partage’ rule allows customers to save during huge loses.
10. Affordability in the UK minimum stake rules is responsible for the mind-blowing financial growth.
11. UK casinos do not defraud their customers.
12. Indian casinos do not defraud their customers.
13. Modern casinos are characterized by high rates of feuds and chaos
14. Customers’ identification details are requested upon huge wins
15. I prefer casino to other forms of gambling.
16. Casino gaming is a sustainable means of income

 

Technological Development

 

17. India is lagging behind in the adoption of technology when compared to the UK.
18. RFID chips minimize criminal activities in casinos
19. Online platforms attract huge portions of the population
20. Online gambling platforms cannot meet the minimum quality expectations
21. Artificial intelligence is useless in the gambling sector.
22. Technology use in the casino business improves the consumption experience.
23. There is still room for immense improvements in the digitization of the casino business.
24. ICT solutions reduce operation costs.

 

Severity of the Indian and the UK Gambling Laws

            Overall, the larger portion of this project’s participants agreed that the UK is less stringent than India when it comes to the casino business. Such a strong sentiment is grounded on the fact that 200 people completely agreed that UK is more open to the casino business than India. Noteworthy is the fact that there was an equal split among the people who agreed and disagreed moderately. It is fair to assume that responses were from people who found the uniqueness of each jurisdictional to be relevant in their respective scenarios. All of the respondents completely agreed with the second statement. At this note, it is obvious that stakeholders are urging other Indian states to join the bandwagon for greater economic performance. A similar finding was recorded in questions 3, 7, and 8 since the countries are very strict on citizens who break their laws. However, most people disagreed with question 5 on the ground that offshore gambling has not prevented the Indian market to participate greatly in other forms of gambling activities. The respondents were torn into half in the 6 question since 150 agreed while the remaining ones disagreed. In unison, all of the responses to questions developed for this section acknowledged India’s incredibly severe legal framework, and its low impact on the industry revenues.

Binding Reimbursement

            In this section, statements were made regarding the reimbursement protocols in both regions, and the respondents used the Likert scale to give their feedback. According to 170 people, UK’s La Partage rule is a unique principle which allows customers to bounce back from decisions that cost huge portions of their fortune, in the form of stakes. The remaining participants disagreed with this sentence on the ground that it is a typical gambling feature which is designed to lure people into spending further. As far as prompt 10 is concerned, most of the participants disagreed, the figures were 30, 70, 100, and 100 for points 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively. Their argument is likely to be grounded on the fact that other factors such as quality services were responsible for the great performance. Around 160 of the respondents agreed completely with statements 11 and 12 while the remaining chose point 3 on the Likert scale. Considering the stringent rules placed on both regions, it is obvious that the customers would trust their services. Similar perspective was held in questions 14 and 15 while a majority of the respondents disagreed with statements 13 and 16. When reflecting on the outcomes in this section, one can note that there is some division among observers and stakeholders with regards to the fairness in reimbursement procedures UK and Indian casinos.

Technological Development

            Technology development is common in casino facilities in both India and the United Kingdom since they target high-end clients, who tend to use advanced digital devices. First and foremost, all of the participants agreed that India was behind the UK in technology. The UK’s dominance in India’s online gambling market is a clear indicator of this reality. RFID chips usage in process monitoring was also acknowledged as a preventative solution to criminality in the casino business. At least 100 respondents agreed while the rest were scattered on Likert points 1(40), 2(90), 4(70). Similar results were found in prompts 20, 22, 23, and 24. The majority agreed that technology improved industry performance. On this note, the benefits are best reflected in the UKs performance surge in the digital revolution era. Over 150 respondents strongly disagreed with prompt 21 which described Artificial Intelligence as useless in this business. Apparently, the information technology infrastructure is in its infancy; hence, the role of AI in economic activities will be hard to disregard in the near future. Such an explanation shows why AI is not useless in the casino business. By now, it is obvious that both India and the UK are receptive of digital technology even though the former still lags behind due to its conservative legal frameworks.

Conclusion

            Gambling has been a noteworthy aspect of the human social life since the ancient ages. Its rich history in both the UK and India has not allowed them to both excel in the business. Unlike the UK, which generates billions of pounds from this business, India generates rather little revenues from the same. Analytically speaking, this difference is inspired by the two nations’ distinct approaches to risky activities such as casino gambling. In India, casinos are a barely 10, yet four of them are established in the sea to limit public exposure to gambling. The same cannot be said of the United Kingdom, especially now that it has established multiple gambling houses since its early decision to participate in the business. The main goals of this country involves around the development of effective structures to allow people to have fun gambling while avoided its negative features such as money laundering and harmful gambling. The findings reported in this paper affirm all of the points made in the entire paper: first, India is more severe in its gambling laws compared to India. Second, people are still skeptical about casino’s capacity to operate with the customer’s experience in mind, especially during reimbursement. Lastly, technology is a crucial aspect of modern business, and its value in the casino business should not be understated at any point.

 

 

 

 

Ethics Form

	Mark with X in box		YES	NO	N/A
1	Will you describe the purpose of the research at the outset, so that respondents are informed as to what to expect and how long the questionnaire will take to complete?		X
2	Will you tell respondents that their participation is voluntary?		X
3	Will you tell respondents that by completing and submitting their responses they are giving their informed consent?		X
5	Will you tell respondents that they have the option of omitting certain questions if they do not want to answer them?		X
6	Will you tell respondents that they can stop completing the questionnaire at any point for any reason?		X
7	Will you tell respondents that their data will be treated with full confidentiality and that, if published, it will not be identifiable as theirs?		X
8	Will you thank respondents at the end of the questionnaire?		X
9	Will you provide contact details for the researchers?			X
10	Will your questionnaire involve deliberately misleading respondents in any way?			X
11	Is there any realistic risk of any respondents experiencing psychological distress or discomfort? If Yes, give details on a separate sheet and state what you will tell them to do if they should experience any problems (e.g. who they can contact for help).			X
12	Do respondents fall into any of the following special groups?	School children (under 18 years of age)		X

 

12	Do respondents fall into any of the following special groups?	School children (under 18 years of age)		X
		People with learning or communication difficulties		X
		Patients		X
		People in custody		X
		People engaged in illegal activities (e.g. drug-taking)			X