Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Great Lakes Play Game ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website at greatlakesplaygame.com (the "Site"). This policy provides detailed information about what cookies are, why we use them, what types of cookies we use, how you can control them, and the implications of your choices.

By continuing to browse and use our Site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings accordingly or refrain from using our Site.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners to make their websites work more efficiently and to provide reporting information. They enable websites to recognize your device and store information about your preferences or past actions.

Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, Great Lakes Play Game) are called "first-party cookies." Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies." Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website (e.g., analytics, advertising, and interactive content).

3. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important reasons:

• Essential Functionality: Some cookies are essential for the operation of our Site, enabling you to navigate and use its features, such as accessing secure areas and remembering your age verification status.
• Performance and Analytics: We use cookies to analyze how visitors use our Site, which pages are most popular, and how users navigate through our content. This helps us improve the user experience.
• Personalization: Cookies allow us to remember your preferences and settings, such as language preferences, game settings, and display options, providing you with a more personalized experience.
• Security: We use cookies to detect and prevent fraudulent activity, protect user accounts, and maintain the security of our platform.
• Compliance: Cookies help us comply with legal requirements, such as age verification and consent management.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Site to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, age verification, and accessibility. Without these cookies, certain services you have requested cannot be provided. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Examples of strictly necessary cookies we use:

• ageVerified: Stores your age verification status to ensure compliance with our 18+ requirement
• sessionID: Maintains your session state as you navigate through the Site
• security_token: Helps protect against cross-site request forgery attacks
• load_balancer: Distributes traffic across our servers for optimal performance

Duration: Session cookies expire when you close your browser; persistent cookies may last up to 12 months.

4.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our Site, such as which pages are visited most often and whether users receive error messages. All information collected by these cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. We use this information to improve how our Site works.

Examples of analytics cookies we use:

• _ga (Google Analytics): Distinguishes unique users and tracks user sessions
• _gid (Google Analytics): Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited
• _gat (Google Analytics): Used to throttle request rates
• page_views: Tracks which pages are viewed and in what sequence
• time_on_site: Measures how long users spend on different pages
• bounce_rate: Tracks whether users leave after viewing only one page

Duration: These cookies typically last from 24 hours to 2 years.

4.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow the Site to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or region) and provide enhanced, more personalized features. They may also be used to provide services you have requested, such as watching a video or commenting on a blog.

Examples of functionality cookies we use:

• user_preferences: Stores your game settings, display preferences, and sound options
• language_preference: Remembers your language selection
• notification_settings: Stores your notification preferences
• theme_selection: Remembers visual theme preferences
• recent_games: Tracks your recently played games for quick access

Duration: These cookies typically last from 30 days to 12 months.

4.4 Preference Cookies

These cookies enable us to remember information that changes the way the Site behaves or looks, such as your preferred layout, font size, or any customizations you have made to game interfaces.

Examples of preference cookies we use:

• cookieConsent: Stores your cookie consent preferences
• privacy_settings: Remembers your privacy and data sharing preferences
• display_mode: Stores preferences for compact or expanded view
• tutorial_completed: Tracks which tutorials you have completed

Duration: These cookies typically last from 30 days to 12 months.

5. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our own cookies, we may use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics of the Site and deliver content. These third parties may use cookies to collect information about your online activities across different websites over time.

5.1 Analytics Providers

We use Google Analytics to help us understand how users interact with our Site. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information such as how often users visit the Site, what pages they visit, and what other sites they used prior to visiting. We use the information from Google Analytics to improve our Site and services.

Google Analytics collects only the IP address assigned to you on the date you visit the Site, not your name or other identifying information. We do not combine information collected through Google Analytics with personally identifiable information.

For more information about Google Analytics cookies, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies

You can opt-out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

5.2 Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

We use CDN services to deliver static content such as fonts, icons, and libraries more efficiently. These services may set cookies to optimize content delivery based on your geographic location and device type.

6. Other Tracking Technologies

6.1 Web Beacons

Web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs) are tiny graphics with a unique identifier that are used to track online movements of web users. Unlike cookies, which are stored on your device, web beacons are embedded invisibly on web pages. We use web beacons to track the effectiveness of our communications and understand user engagement patterns.

6.2 Local Storage

We use local storage technologies, such as HTML5 local storage and IndexedDB, to store certain information locally on your device. This allows us to provide faster load times, offline functionality, and enhanced gaming experiences. Local storage persists even after you close your browser and must be manually cleared.

6.3 Session Storage

Session storage is similar to local storage but is cleared when you close your browser tab or window. We use session storage for temporary data that is only needed during your current browsing session.

7. How to Control Cookies

7.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our Site, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the Site, which will display the consent banner again.

7.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. However, if you disable cookies, please note that some features of our Site may not function properly. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
• Opera: Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies

7.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

You can opt-out of certain third-party cookies through industry opt-out platforms:

• Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): http://optout.aboutads.info/
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA): http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/

7.4 Mobile Device Settings

If you access our Site through a mobile device, you can control cookies and tracking through your device settings:

• iOS: Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
• Android: Settings > Google > Ads (to opt-out of personalized ads)

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies or reject our cookie policy, you may not be able to access certain features of our Site. Specifically:

• You may need to re-verify your age each time you visit the Site
• Your game preferences and settings may not be saved
• You may experience reduced functionality and performance
• Some interactive features may not work properly
• Your personalized experience may be limited

Please note that strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled through our consent banner, as they are essential for the Site to function. However, you can still block them through your browser settings, though this may prevent you from using the Site entirely.

9. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies may collect personal data, such as IP addresses or unique identifiers. We treat all information collected through cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy. For more information about how we handle personal data, please review our Privacy Policy.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, our operations, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at: