Evidence-based approach is dominating the gambling industry, with Allwyn, a lottery-focused gaming entertainment group, now launching a dedicated division called Allwyn Player Protection Lab, which will spearhead research and understanding in responsible gambling and player safety.
Allwyn is ready to spearhead efforts in RG and player safety
To achieve this, the Player Protection Lab will rely on a closer look at the existing body of evidence while also putting forward original research.
The idea is to support academics and experts who have proven their clout in the responsible gambling field, and help them explore new ideas, concepts, and perspectives, the company said in an official press statement. Commenting on the project, Allwyn's of Responsible Gaming, Nicole Garrett, said:
"The Player Protection Lab is an exciting new avenue for Allwyn. Our responsible gaming team is seeking proposals that will encourage progress in player safety and break new ground in our industry. We hope that by opening the application process, we will have the opportunity to explore genuinely new ideas and draw lessons from other sectors."
Player Protection Lab will seek applicants who can demonstrate that they can indeed advance important pillars of understanding of gambling-related harm, player safety, and addictive behavior, thus empowering stakeholders – from lawmakers and regulators to operators – to adopt an evidence-based approach in uprooting these potential threats to player safety.
Involving various stakeholders is the key to addressing gambling-related harm
Allwyn is setting up a fund worth €100,000 at the present time and will await calls for proposals, granting funding where it sees merit. Allwyn is also keen to ensure that its efforts in making the gambling industry safer are shown by developing a global and leading practice in responsible gambling.
This initiative is commendable, as it highlights the need for more hands-on engagement from operators who can contribute significantly to helping prevent gambling-related harm among players.
Jody Bechtold, the CEO of The Better Institute, recently sat down with Casino Guru’s Safer Gambling Talks to highlight this need for industry involvement precisely, calling it a prerequisite for eradicating gambling harm – everything else, she said, was "after the fact."
