Overview

For the majority of people, gambling is an enjoyable leisure and entertainment activity. However, for some, gambling can have negative impacts. As a result, Mark Read has developed a policy, which sets out guidelines to govern the provision of its services in order to minimize the harm to consumers that may be adversely affected by gambling.

What is Responsible Gambling?

“Responsible Gambling” is a broad concept and involves the conduct of gambling in a manner whereby the potential for harm associated with gambling is minimized.

It respects the responsibility of individuals for their own actions, but also acknowledges a responsibility on the part of the service providers.

Responsible gambling has regard to the context in which gambling occurs, the inducements made to gamble, the way the gambling service operates and the integrity of the gambling operator.

The aim is to enable persons to make informed decisions about their participation in gambling and, if harm has occurred, to provide access to gambling help services.

What is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling exists when there is a lack of control over gambling, particularly the scope and frequency of gambling and the level of betting and the amount of leisure time devoted to gambling.The negative consequences of problem gambling may include:

1. the gambler suffering excessive financial losses relative to the gambler’s means;
2. adverse personal affects on the gambler, his or her family and friends;
3. adverse affects on employers and work performance; and
4. other costs which are borne by the community.

Customer Care Principles and Responsible Gambling

Mark Read practices consistency in care of customers and promoting responsible gambling practices.

For the vast majority of people, the attraction to test one’s judgment or luck does not create problems. Gambling generally should be a pleasurable form of entertainment.

The aim is to achieve a balanced approach in the provision of wagering services, taking account of the interests of the wagering public, i.e. customers, the Company and the community at large.

Responsible Gambling Policy

Millions of people each week enjoy the recreational and entertainment values inherent in being able to wager on racing and sporting events throughout the world. The involvement of the majority of these people is at a level appropriate to their financial circumstances. It is recognized, however, that a small number may have difficulty in controlling their wagering activities.

Mark Read is committed to sharing with Governments and communities the responsibility of helping problem gamblers to identify their problem and seek assistance. One way the Company does this is to offer its customers the facility to exclude themselves from betting with Mark Read, either temporarily or on a permanent basis.

Mark Read aims to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Minimise the extent of gambling related harm to individuals and the broader community;
2. Enable customers to make informed decisions about their gambling practices;
3. Enable people adversely affected by gambling to have access to timely and appropriate assistance and information;
4. Promote a shared understanding between individuals, communities, the gambling industry and Government of responsible gambling practices and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in relation to these practices;
5. Ensuring the gambling industry provides safe and supportive environments for the delivery of gambling products and services.

Mark Read employees are trained to provide the recreational and entertainment experience sought by its clients, whilst at the same time offering assistance to those who have difficulty in controlling their wagering activities. The Company has adopted strategies for the provision of information to ensure that customers can make informed decisions about their gambling. The Company actively provides referral services to gambling related support services and shares the community’s concerns for the harm caused in the lives of this minority group.

Minors and Underage Play

As a responsible operator, Mark Read is committed to maintaining its first class public reputation by actively taking action to exclude minors from placing a wager at the Mark Read website or over the telephone. Wagering with Mark Read is designed to appeal to, and be used by persons who have attained the age of 18 years.

Filtering Options

Certain filtering options can be enabled to prohibit underage persons from visiting online gambling websites, as the minimum legal age to gamble is 18 years. The comprehensive list of filtering options available for download can be accessed through these sites:

• http://www.cyberpatrol.com/
• http://www.gamblock.com/
• http://www.safekids.com/
• http://www.surfcontrol.com/
• http://www.solidoak.com/
• http://www.netnanny.com/

Where to get help for gambling problems

The following organisations may be able to assist:

Gamber’s Help (Freecall 24 hour Gambler’s Helpline – 1800 858 858)
Gamblers Anonymous
GamCare
Gambling Therapy

Or alternatively you can contact the Customer Services Manager through Customer Service for other gambling support providers in your area.

Self-Exclusion

Mark Read staff are trained in responsible gambling and will encourage customers to take responsibility for their wagering activities.

Customers will be permitted to self-exclude from wagering on the telephone and the Mark Read website.

The customer should contact the Customer Service Manager to obtain the necessary details.

Managing your Deposit Limit

As part of our responsibility towards responsible gambling, we have developed a mechanism allowing players to set the maximum deposit amount that they wish to deposit with the organization (across all accounts) on either a daily or weekly basis.

Set your Deposit Limit

To set your deposit limit, simply submit a request by using one of the following channels:

• Online Request via the Deposit Limit page accessible via the My Account page of the website.
• Contacting Customer Service and requesting a limit to be applied.

Please allow up to 48 hours for your request to be processed.

Change or Remove your Deposit Limit

To change or remove your deposit limit, simply submit a request by using one of the following channels:

• Online Request via the Deposit Limit page accessbile via the My Account page of the website.
• Contacting Customer Service and requesting a limit to be applied.

Please note the following minimum waiting periods apply:

• When modifying a set limit other than zero, a minimum waiting period of 24 hours is required.
• When modifying a set limit from zero, a minimum waiting period of 24 hours is required. However, please note that a limit set to zero will not be modified unless it has been in effect for a minimum period of 6 months from the date on which it was originally requested.