The online gambling industry relies on top-notch technology to develop games and gambling platforms. Online casino game operators usually hire third-party companies to create and license casino games. There are three kinds of online casino software users have access to:

• Download software they can install on their devices 
• Flash or no download software that requires no previous installation and enables instant play if the device is connected to the internet
• Mobile casino software or apps users can download from a play store and install on their mobile devices.

The software behind online casinos usually relies on Random Number Generators and is regulated by international gaming bodies to prevent online gambling operators from manipulating the games to their advantage. The technology guarantees that the games are completely random and fair. Because of the strict regulations and guidelines, online games provide players with higher chances of winning than brick-and-mortar casinos. 

The advancement of technology supports live casinos to reach new heights and gain more popularity. This article takes a look at the technology behind online gambling platforms to help you understand how they function. 

Online casino games software

The software behind online casino games is quite complex and requires sophisticated programming methods and techniques. Only skilled designers and engineers can create the needed infrastructure to develop casino games. Most games are programmed with the help of C++. As stated before, an essential component of casino game development is Random Number Generators technology that guarantees total randomicity. Its role is to create a random sequence of numbers with no set patterns to offer gamblers a fair chance to win the games. Technology determines the outcome of casino games. For example, when a player presses the spin button on online roulette, the RNG technology determines where the ball lands on the wheel. It directly impacts the outcome because no one can predict or manipulate the result, and therefore, the game is 100% fair. Reputable gambling platforms like thegamedaycasino.com include games developed with the help of RNG technology in their libraries to provide their players with fair games. 

Mobile casino software

With most gamblers using smartphones, mobile gaming has become the fastest-growing niche of the online gambling sector. The latest advancements in the tech sector allow software developers to create casino games optimised for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The development of the markup language HTML5 is another essential tech advancement that enables software developers to develop mobile casino software. It’s compatible with browsers like Safari, Chrome and Firefox. Software developers use the markup language HTML5 to personalise games, so they function on mobile platforms by making changes to graphics and sites to ensure they fit on mobile devices’ screens. 

Online payment methods

The online gambling industry relies on internet-based payment methods to complete financial transactions. E-wallet providers offer solutions for money transfer no matter if the gamblers have an account with the network or not. Most online casinos use at least one of the above payment methods to allow their clients to connect to their bank account. Secure Socket Layer is the leading technology used by trustworthy online payment providers and online casino game applications. 

PayPal is the primary online payment provider online casinos use because it offers an electronic alternative to traditional methods like checks and money orders. It’s simple to use, and both gamblers and online casinos prefer it instead of regular financial solutions. PayPal has a digital layer that enables a seamless transfer of money from one bank account to another. The process reduces the friction of online payments and P2P. The technology behind online payment methods allows online casinos to receive money from gamblers and transfer money back when they win at playing casino games. PayPal acquired several online payment providers to improve and expand its technology and offer its clients an improved payment experience. Its main purpose is to transfer money safely and securely from a bank account to another.  

Besides PayPal, online casinos also use internet-based payment service providers like Skrill and Neteller to handle cash transfers. 

Casino security

Online casinos rely on several methods to protect their clients’ funds and personal information. It’s easy to tell if an online gambling platform uses a security measure. All gamblers have to do is check if the casino uses one of the following security measures. 

– ID verification. When a new user signs up for an online casino, they need to go through an ID verification process that usually requires them to provide a driver’s license or passport to confirm their identity. This measure safeguards the gambler’s account, their personal information, but also the casino. Online casinos rely on ID verification to identify minors trying to gamble online and deny their access. 

Encryption software. The most reliable and safest gambling platforms use top-notch data encryption technology to safeguard their clients’ data. This kind of technology ensures that no third party can read or view personal information and financial transactions between gamblers and casinos. 

Two-step verification. When people register with an online casino, they have the possibility to opt for 2-step authentication. The gambling platform can send them a unique code to their mobile device to confirm their log into their account. 

End-to-end encryption. Data encryption transforms data into unbreakable codes that can be decoded only with the help of an intended account. The technology is similar to end-to-end encryption, and many online casinos use it, especially to send messages. 

TLS. It’s another popular data encryption protocol. The technology behind it is similar to the systems banks use to keep their clients’ money secure. Online casinos rely on it to guarantee their clients that their finances are safe when they register on their websites. 

Bottom line

The latest advancements in technology have undoubtedly influenced online gambling. Web-specific technology is essential for developing casino apps and websites that allow gamblers to win big jackpots. And it’s interesting to try to picture how far things will go from this point. It looks like there’s something new daily within the online gambling sector. 

If you know anything about slot machines, you will probably know that random number generation (RNG) is at the core of how they function.

Of course this surface level of understanding belies the ocean of complexity which lies beneath. If you truly want to make the most of your slot-playing experience, then digging a little deeper makes sense.

In particular it pays to scrutinize the payout percentages professed by slot games, both at bricks and mortar casinos and on the web. So here is an overview of the ways that payout percentages are put together, allowing you to make informed decisions when choosing which slots to play.

What is a payout percentage?

Casino operators are required to provide players with information about how much of its total takings each slot machine will pay out in prizes. This is expressed as a percentage, hence the term ‘payout percentage’.

Payout percentages can vary from game to game, and also alter depending on the minimum that is mandated by the relevant regulators. This is why it is important to only play on reputable, licensed sites. Using the information here on the best slot sites in Pennsylvania, for example, will help you find reliable online casinos to enjoy.

Whatever the payout percentage, so long as it is under 100, the operator will be making money. The crucial point to realize is that this percentage does not apply to every player, but rather falls across the entirety of a machine’s operations.

You should not expect that if you put $100 into a machine with a 95% RTP (return to player) rating, you will receive at least $95 over the course of play. Rather, the total winnings issued are averaged out, so some players will win much more, and some might lose it all. It’s all down to the nature of chance and randomness, which is where RNG comes into the equation.

How is RNG used?

Another point to consider is that RNG rules over the outcome of every spin of the reels in a slot game, but that this is also a technology which ensures fairness.

Randomness is important because it means that it is theoretically possible for a player to win a jackpot on the first spin of the reels. Operators are prohibited from programming games in a way that prevents wins at any point, just as they are required to take cyber threats seriously by regulators.

In a slot context, RNG just means that a random selection of symbols is thrown up when the reels are spun, whether they are mechanical, electronic or virtual. But if slots are not fixed, how can casinos be confident in their calculations of payout percentages?

Adjusting the odds

For centuries, games of chance have been put together by clever people who want to make sure that the house always wins, even if some players also walk away with a lot of loot to their name.

In roulette, for example, the inclusion of the 0 and 00 sections gives casinos that crucial margin within which they can make a profit, which is important in any business.

Things may be more complex when it comes to slot machine odds, but the underlying ideas are very similar.

Game designers can craft slots to have specific odds and thus reliable payout percentages by altering how many reels there are, how many symbols are present and how many paylines are used. There are also games which include additional requirements, such as minimum wagering amounts that players have to hit with each spin if they want to have a chance of taking home the biggest prizes.

Every single slot machine has its own weighting of odds to take into account, and furthermore operators will be required to let you know the payout percentage by which you can determine whether or not you are happy with the risks involved in spinning the reels.

Analyzing variance

Another term to keep in mind when looking at how RNG-powered slots function is variance. This is related to RTP and odds, but is a less complex term to consider, so can demystify slots suitably for average players.

Low variance slots are those which have a higher chance of paying out smaller amounts on a regular basis. High variance slots will have mouthwatering jackpots, but worse odds of actually passing this on to players.

In short, all of the complex calculations of odds, payout percentages and variance should be done for you by the slot machine creator. It is up to you to find this information and absorb it so you can choose games without any ambiguity involved.

The addictive condition is known as gambling addiction, or compulsive gambling is characterized by the compulsive desire to gamble constantly. As we know, when someone risks something valuable for the possibility of gaining something more valuable, it is called gambling. Gambling in most cases involves the wagering of money, but it can also include the wagering of items of value or property. Usually, you can engage in gambling via NonGamStopBets.com site playing different games (for instance, poker or roulette), lottery tickets, slot machines, scratch cards, or betting (to name a few, fixed-odds, sports, spread, and virtual).

Once addicted, there is an irresistible urge to keep gambling irrespective of the harmful influences it has on one’s life. The brain’s reward system is stimulated by gambling, just as it is by drugs or alcohol, leading to extreme obsession. An addiction to compulsive gambling can lead you to chase bets that only lead to losses, put on false pretence, exhaust all your savings, fall into debt, and in the worst-case scenario, take recourse to steal and deception to finance your addiction.

The Way Addictive Gambling Befalls on Someone’s Head

It is quite frequent that the gambling industry itself enables and perpetuates gambling behaviour and addiction. Online and social media marketing strategies, television, newspaper ads, billboards, and sponsorships are all avenues for gambling advertising to attract both new and consistent players. Due to the ability to target demographics and interests online, online advertising is particularly effective. A couple of clicks of the mouse can, therefore, induce the ad-viewer to participate in online gambling.

Another very common marketing strategy is to offer incentives to attract new gamblers with ‘welcome incentives,’ which usually apply to online gambling. No matter how attractive they may seem, these offers often come with concealed terms and conditions which obligate the participant to keep gambling. Moreover, the process of registering and depositing money on online gambling sites is simple, but withdrawing winnings is more challenging. As a result, the person is less likely to withdraw and instead continue to gamble. 

What Makes Gambling Addictive

The addictive nature of gambling can be very similar to that of drug addiction. Boosting the reward pathway in the brain results in satisfaction in both circumstances. It is believed that stimulation of the reward pathway causes the release of dopamine, which is responsible for the euphoric feeling associated with it. In addition to the ease and speed of play that is made possible by easy and fast gambling products, such as fixed odds, near wins – losses disguised as wins – can also be addictive. 

The brain adapts and uses less dopamine to respond to gambling, leading to an eventual tolerance that causes the brain’s neurons to adapt. Gamblers who cannot resist their urge to gamble often engage in more risky ventures to create the same feeling of satisfaction, which often makes it difficult for them to stop gambling.

The Most Common Symptoms

The compulsion to gamble (gambling disorder) is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Constantly brainstorming ways to increase your gambling money, which can be interpreted as being obsessed with gambling.
• To get the same thrill, you must increase your bet size. 
• A feeling of restlessness or irritability when you try to reduce gambling.
• Gambling away your hard-earned money and asking for others to bail you out.
• To get money for gambling, you resort to theft or fraud.

The Diagnosis of Gambling Addiction

Obtaining information about gambling habits, medical history, and mental health status can help determine whether one is addicted to gambling. These data can help to improve the science behind gambling addiction. 

When reviewing one’s medical history, it may be possible to discover medications or health concerns that are contributing to compulsive behaviour. In addition to a psychological evaluation, a psychiatric evaluation may be required to determine if any mental health problems may be implicated in excessive gambling. 

Treatment for Gambling Addiction

Admitting that you have a gambling addiction is the first step in receiving treatment for it. Compulsion gamblers often find it difficult to recognize they have a problem, and this can make treatment more difficult. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers, including medications used to treat mental disorders, may significantly reduce gambling behaviours in some people. 

Behavioural changes and support are usually the focus of long-term treatment to overcome gambling addiction. Psychotherapy, whether behavioural or cognitive, is often beneficial. In spite of treatment, it’s important to realize that relapse is still possible, especially if subject to gambling environments or other gamblers.

Gambling addiction will not only cost you but also the ones that surround your very presence. If you think you are falling victim to gambling addiction as per the symptoms mentioned above, just know it is never too late to turn your life around. One step at a time, everything is attainable. 

Generally speaking, a Pokie machine or a Slot machine is a specific gambling machine which allows its customers to partake in a game of utmost probability and chance. As a standard, pokie machines usually have a screen consisting of three or more reels, which tend to spin once the game is said to be activated. 

There are still some skeuomorphic features in modern pokie machines, such as levers used to initiate plays. Nevertheless, most early machines are now controlled by buttons and touchscreens, and in succession, Random number generators have replaced the mechanics of early machines. 

There are currency detectors installed on pokie machines which helps verify the nature of payment that is made, whether it’s coins, cash, vouchers, or gambling tokens. When the spinning reels stop, the machine pays off based on the combination of symbols displayed on the screen. In NZ-based leading online casinos, pokie machines are the most popular form of online gaming and earn more than 70% of the average casino’s revenue.

The Pay Table

There is a table on each machine that indicates the number of credits the player is accountable to receive as long as the symbols on the paytable arrange themselves on the pay line just as they should. There are symbols that are known as wilds; a wild symbol is one that substitutes for nearly all other symbols to form a winning combination. 

A Brief Universe of the Reels

A traditional slot or pokie machine displays and determines results by spinning mechanical reels. Five-reel machines were the original slot machines, but three-reel machines became the standard quickly since they were more reliable and simpler.

• A three-reel pokie machine with 10 symbols would allow only 1000 combinations.
• A pokie machine with 22 symbols would amount to 10,648 different results. 
• And finally, a virtual reel machine with 256 reels would result in 16,777,216 combinations.

The Matter of Computerization

As microprocessors become more commonplace, manufacturers are now able to offer different probabilities for each symbol on each reel. Players may believe they have gotten very close to winning a symbol, when in fact the likelihood of winning is much less. 

It was during the 1980s that a wave of microprocessor-powered machines hit the United Kingdom. Upon inserting a coin into the machine, it would either be directed directly to the owner’s cashbox or directly into a channel that would be used as the payout reservoir, with the microprocessor monitoring this channel to determine the number of coins in it. 

The Role of RNG (Random Number Generators) 

Since online casino gambling is such a remote activity, fair gaming is a mandatory requirement. Using random number generators (RNGs) allows online casinos to satisfy this requirement for online slots. 

Online casinos generate random number generators from computer algorithms as a way to ensure that the outcomes of each spin are totally random. In order to accomplish this, it creates a sequence of numbers, which correspond to symbols on each reel, and that no one can predict except with chance. 

The Division of RNGs

There are two kinds of RNGs, one is the Hardware Random Number Generator and the other is the Pseudo-Random Number Generator. 

• RNGs that generate random numbers via hardware are known as a hardware random number generators. 
• Meanwhile, pseudo-randomly generated numbers are those that appear to be random only.

The Functionality of the RNG

First, with the software, a seed value is set up for the algorithm. As an underlying principle, anything that runs repeatedly must have a starting point. That value is called the seed value. A seed value is generated through a series of repeated activities or actions occurring in the computer. 

There can be several possibilities. It might be a process that is running, a pattern for a mouse-click, a pattern of keystrokes, or even the clock of the computer.

The Thing About the Return to Player Value (RTP)

RTP (return to player) value is another aspect of slot machines in terms of science. Slots, on average, pay out a certain amount of return over a period of time, which is called their RTP. 

Slot machines have their RTP calculated and expressed in percentage terms; thus, a 96% RTP means that a slot machine will pay back $96 for every 100 dollars wagered over the life of the machine. 

Slot Machines and Their Prices

A player’s cost per spin represents the price. Therefore, for a 100-cent spin, the price that the player sees is exactly what the player pays. However, on the operator’s side, the price would also reflect house edge along with the cost per spin. 

If the house edge is therefore 7%, the operator’s profit is mainly determined by the 7% they collect on each spin over the course of time.

Conclusion

Well, that is it. To quote Stephen Hawking, when you understand the way one thing operates you in a way learn to control it. The same goes for the pokies!

Advancement in the current day digital environment is majorly driven by data extraction and using it to predict an outcome or a situation. This is more or less known to every soul today. The rapid growth of the gambling industry is also an example of how data can be used in ways to make a particular industry flourish. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission ordered all the operators registered under the UK to make progress in certain Digital spaces from October 2019 to heighten their standards of player safety.

The scientists looked after aspects like customer interaction, budget advertisement, and other such markers. Determination of certain standards is quite straightforward but recognition of these aspects can be done only by adopting strictly academic approaches like the application of core data science. Considering the recent services provided by these online casino operators, keeping a track of the database is what keeps the actions rolling. 

For example, in order to block casino sites, collection of data is indispensable otherwise the entire system will experience a crash. The same theory is applicable for meeting the requirements of the protection of the operators themselves.  For various legal formalities, this data can be stored by UKGC which is again useful for resolving technical issues.

About the Type of Data Collected by GamStop

Firstly, the kind of data that is collected consists of the basic information of customers such as name, phone number, email address, date of birth, and even residential address at times. But in most cases, GamStop aims to collect more data for improving their services. Sure the customer service executives play a huge part as they extract additional details using the context of various purposes. The call recordings serve as evidence in support of the collected data. A massive amount of it is extracted from the operators by bigger corporations of the same industry. However, as GamStop doesn’t cover these online casinos that aren’t licensed by UKGC, the British Commission cannot force them to send all the details of registered customers.

One of the most important steps for these organizations is to verify the data collected in order to ensure accuracy. Inauthentic data may affect the quality of services provided. Verification can either be done using the TransUnion database where the data collected are simply stored at a database. The goal is to obtain perfectly accurate data that will be stored for a long period of time for further use. Data can also be obtained from independent owners to carry out verification which will finally yield the closest results to the accurate details.

How Data Science can Add in detecting a Problematic Gambler

There are certain markers that can classify users  according to four different categories like, 

• Frequency, which deals with the number of sessions played during a particular span of time; 
• Variability, which deals with the change in the gambling behavior of the particular player;
• Intensity, which is the  time spent and bets placed in a minute of a total session of a played;
• Trajectory, that is the change of behavior according to the data over time according to the three main markers stated above.

Using these markers of harm often helps in building protection for players. Another major factor that contributes to it is the determination of players who are often searching for sources to escape the GameStop ban. A number of machine learning models are put into use in order to predict the behavioural pattern of the demographics as well as individual players. These data help form the algorithm. 

The protection of players is single-handedly determined by the data extracted. Although there are several blind spots that should be acknowledged and can be categorized into two sections. This is related to the acknowledgement of problematic gambling behaviour. The fact that not every player in need of self-exclusion will ultimately opt for self-exclusion and not every player opting for self-exclusion has addiction issues with gambling. There might be cases where a person is facing major losses in the financial sector and still consistently choosing to gamble away their money.

Effects of using Data Science in GamStop

There are 2 major outcomes of the steps which can be recorded as

1. People can opt for the GamStop self-exclusion team as a voluntary step to get over their gambling addiction.
2. The 24 hours cooling-off period is the preliminary step towards the detection of any sign of addictive gambling.

The amount of data stored by GamStop is not always the most desirable outcome but considering how helpful it is towards the detection of problematic gambling, it is almost acceptable to some extent. The latest compliance with the Data Shed makes it legal for GamStop to extract data from operators in the UK and keep it for as long as 14 years!

Gambling in the UK has become a huge industry over the years. With the growth, there comes a higher risk of problem gambling. As per March 2021 records, 0.4% of gambling addicts belong to the 16-24 age group, 0.3% to the 25-34 age group, 1.1% in the 35-44 age group, and 0.4% to the 45-54 age group. Thus, it is important to focus on the gamblers who would like to exclude themselves from online gambling in the UK. 

The Data Shed is a Data Services firm registered in Wales and England. It has recently won a major contract with Gamstop self-exclusion scheme by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. It helps punters to self exclude themselves from online gambling platforms registered under Gamstop in the UK. 

How Does Gamstop Work?

Gamstop allows gamblers to put control measures over their gambling tendencies. Once a punter signs up on Gamstop, it blocks the user from accessing all gambling applications and websites run by companies licensed under Great Britain. The self-exclusion period is chosen by the punter himself which can be 6 months, a year, or 5 years. However, the chosen period of time is irreversible and has to be fulfilled at all costs. However, Gamstop is not the sole platform for restricting punters, other applications like Gamban, Gamblock are also available. 

Gamstop only blocks users from accessing UK-based platforms and cannot control overseas gambling. Thus, GamStop users can gamble on other UK casinos outside of the local self-exclusion system and UKGC rules. Gamstop is a free service and operates only in the UK. After a gambler signs up, an email is sent to the registered email id with all the gambling exclusion details and might take up to 24 hours to take effect. 

The CEO of Gamstop stated that it aims at expanding its services offered to punters and Data Shed was an added advantage due to the expert knowledge of data and experience. Gamstop’s work with Data Shed has enhanced the services of Gamstop at a rapid pace. The CEO of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan expressed his excitement for witnessing the growth of Data Shed in Leeds. 

Gamstop And Data Shed 

Data Shed has recently joined hands as the technology partner of Gamstop for offering support and enhancing the scheme after the 2018 Beta launch. The scheme is specifically designed to help problem gamblers include themselves in a central exclusion list. 

This indicates that each time a random person registers or logs in to a UK-based casino, the operator has to check the exclusion list for confirmation that the person is not a part of the self-exclusion scheme. This entire process requires a real-time supply of data gathered from Gamstop customers to reach a conclusion. The challenge lies in disallowing registered Gamstop users from engaging in overseas online gambling activities without impacting others signed up for the scheme. 

All the UK licensed casinos will have to follow new rules such as signing up for the Gamstop scheme as per the condition for a license in 2019. Ed Thewlis from The Data Shed states that the main challenge faced by them was to assemble a secure and flexible platform that allows operators to verify login by users at ease. This process is especially applicable on peak days such as Boxing Day, The Grand National where bets are made at maximum. 

Data Shed – Speed, Volume, And Security

Data Shed caters to millions of data matching requests each day which includes a combination of small data, large marketing databases. Individual attempts are usually responded to in under a minute. The platform is responsible for holding sensitive personal information and thus high security is maintained within the platform design, operations, and processes. Data Shed works with AWS for providing high security which also includes employing the best technologies and working with accredited penetration testers for maximum protection. 

Data Shed is proud to be a part of Gamstop and has recently carried out a load test that was able to manage around 20,000 hits each second. This leads to the conclusion that it is a safe and cost-effective environment. However, the next challenge of Data Shed is to use its matching algorithm expertise even strongly to improve customer service. 

Our team stated that the majority of the punters gamble for fun and not for obsessive tendencies. Some of them need all the help they can get to improve their lifestyle and relationships. Gamstop steps in during that time to help people via self-exclusion. 

Gamstop self-exclusion scheme introduced by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission has gained immense popularity in the UK. 

The aim is to register and restrict oneself from accessing all betting platforms and casinos inside the network, but it can’t stop players from using casino sites that aren’t on GamStop exclusion based in the United Kingdom and outside it. Information regarding the treatment of data collected by individuals is important for avoiding liability under the data protection legislation since it possesses an immense amount of data. 

Why Is Data Collected?

In order to fulfil the goal of Gamstop and lessen the odds of a contract breach under the terms of use, it is necessary to identify all participants and users associated with the scheme. The identification process is done through the data collected for a gambler’s registration. It is also utilized by Gamstop services for amplifying the functions of the service. 

Personal data gathered from gamblers via personal interaction, contact with family and friends helps to meet the objectives of the scheme. Gathering personal data from punters while signing up is mandatory and helps to effectively meet the expectations of the client for coming out of gambling addiction. Personal data gathered comprises of : 

• Full Name and Surname of the client
• Date of birth of the punter 
• The mobile number which would form a part of the self-exclusion process
• Email address of the client 

All these data gathered from gamblers are secured by Gamstop via complex and sophisticated technical measures. Gamstop hashes personal data and exchanges them with service partners through secure API links. However, Gamstop cannot access the data if punters choose to access overseas casinos that are not under Gamstop since they have no link to the National scheme and are not bound to follow UKGC regulations. 

How Is The Data Collected?

The aforementioned data gathered from gamblers are obtained during the registration process of the user on Gamstop. Data collection is done in multiple ways:

Call recording of gamblers is done by The Gamstop Contact Centre for personnel training, performance monitoring, and service accuracy. However, this is only done after the contact centre sends a message to the user at the beginning of the call to inform them that calls to them are recorded. 

Online registration verification where the data provided by users are verified via a concert with Transunion for determining the authenticity of the information. Gamstop can obtain data from a large representation of punters which is sent to the Transunion database and is verified by asking certain questions during the registration process. Gamstop accordingly informs the users of the match after checking the correspondence of the replies given by users. 

Data sent by iGaming companies to the Gamstop matching service which is further compared to the personal data provided by Gamstop users. Operators participating under Gamstop have to mandatorily carry out this process in order to restrain users who have signed up on Gamstop to aid their gambling tendencies. 

What Happens When Data Does Not Match?

Like other systems, there lies a probability of incorrect processing of data of punters who did not sign up for the services offered by Gamstop. To minimize these circumstances, Gamstop has partnered with a DataShed Software company based in Leeds, UK. 

Gamstop has imposed a strategy to avoid incorrect matching of individuals who have not signed up for self-exclusion. This is done by storing the personal data of punters for future use with such compliance in its system that it can prevent the exclusion of such punters by gambling operators in the future. 

Gamstop Data Retention

Personal data of Gamstop users are saved by Gamstop for varying periods of time depending upon the purpose of such data collection. Personal information related to customers who were not successful for registration completion, any information already fed in are kept for a month (30 days). For exceptional cases, such data can be kept for 7 years as they get added to the case management system of Gamstop. Sensitive data of users who have successfully registered for self-exclusion are retained for a period of 7 years, after which it gets deleted. 

Summing Up

GamStop offers a database with user data to UK-based casinos to check if punters have registered on Gamstop. The aim is to block punters who have voluntarily signed up to come out of their gambling addiction. However, that does not restrict punters from accessing land-based casinos and overseas casinos. To exclude themselves from gambling harm, UK gamblers also have the option to join SENSE, download and register on applications like Gamblock and Gamban. 

The simple answer is no. Rose hips are not poisonous. You can eat all rose hips. However, just because they aren’t exactly toxic, doesn’t mean you can eat all that your heart desires. Rose bushes are often sprayed with various herbicides and pesticides. They also contain irritating hairs in their seeds. If you fail to remove them you could have some adverse reactions.

Ways to Eat Rose Hips

We introduce this common ways to use rose hips (as always) with a short video. This one takes place in the fall on the east coast of Sweden.

Method 1: Eat Rose Hips Raw

In the fall, rose hips can be picked. They’re much better after the first frost (they get sweeter this way). Care should be taken to remove the seeds as they are full of somewhat itchy hairs.

Method 2: Make Nypon Soppa (Translates as Rose Hip Soup)

Nyponsoppa directly translates to Rose hip soup. However, it’s not always a soup. It’s more of a thick juice. It can be very sweet and is often served after dinner as a bit of a sweet addition to the meal. In Sweden you can get it in containers like the one below.

Method 3: Make a Tea

The final method is to make a tea out of the rose hips. You can always buy a packet of rose hip tea from the store, but you can also make your own. Just to be safe we removed the seeds, added the red fruit parts to water that just came to a boil. Then we let is sit for 20-30 minutes and drank. Easy peasy.

If you travel through Europe in the spring or drive through the northern US or Canada, you may come across massive yellow fields in full bloom. These are the rapeseed fields. They look impressive on the landscape and the proponents in the industry are claiming this is one of the key ingredients in the “green revolution.”

However, this green movement and the use of this plant isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. To understand exactly why, you have to understand the basic biology and the current predicament we’re in. To give this introduction, as always I first created this video: 

In making this rapeseed video above, I was at first only interested in telling the story about the biology, but then got interested in their role as a bio-fuel. Understanding the former is important for understanding the later. 

Rapeseed Biology

The rapeseed plant is Brassica napa a large mustard that is closely related to the yellow and brown mustards we use for condiments. It’s also closely related to Brassica oleracea (brussel spouts, cabbage, kohlrobbi, broccoli). The point of noting the relation is that you can fairly easily create new cultivars in the genetic diversity that exists in the plant. You can also hybridize some of these different species to improve the genetics of the original plant. 

Brassica napa has significant amounts of a toxin known as erucic acid in it. In rats, this has been shown to cause damage and hence, scientists actively worked to reduce the amount of erucic acid in the plant. In the 80’s a form of Brassica napa was selected for to have low erucic acid and it was rebranded CANOLA oil (CAN – for canada, Oil, Low, Acid). Later they created a GMO round-up ready Canola. 

BioFuel Revolution

Now Rapeseed fields make up about 16% of growable land in Czechia (where we shot the video). Most of that is being grown for biofuel. The oils in the seed are squeezed out and through a process of transesterification it is turned into biodiesel.

The benefits of biofuel are mainly in the carbon use in the plant. The efficiency of sequestering this carbon is anywhere from 78% to 43%. The difference depends largely on land use changes. If the land needs little to no clearing or fertilizer, there is only about a 22% addition of fuel needed to plant, harvest and process the oils. If the land needs to be cleared the cost increases. The unfortunate reality though is that most of this does not take into account the loss of available land for other practices. 

Rapeseed Biofuel Downsides

One of the main problems with biofuel in general is that it takes up land that could be either growing forests, grasslands or other food. If not enough land is being left aside for forest services, this could be a large problem. Additionally, land that was once forest is being cleared in developing countries to grow biofuels, leading to deforestation and loss of diversity in those regions. 

I point out all of this to show that that is a very complicated issue. I hope the video helped look at this all in a new light. Looking forward to seeing things get better and better in the future as more people learn how biofuel might be appropriately mixed into our economy.