Playtech inks collaboration agreement with Responsible Gambling Council
Supplier to delve into relationship between mental health and gambling-related harm in partnership with Canada-based advocacy group
Playtech has agreed a research and evaluation-led partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) as part of its efforts to combat gambling-related harm.
The partnership will examine links between mental health, digital wellbeing and gambling using several research, evaluation and thought leadership initiatives.
The aim of the partnership is to strengthen industry insights to advance safer gambling and forms part of Playtech’s new Sustainable Success strategy.
Sustainable Success hopes to deliver change to help build a safer, more sustainable entertainment industry for the benefit of all stakeholders. Playtech committed to investing £5m in the initiative earlier this year.
A key commitment of Sustainable Success is to increase the uptake of safer gambling tools and solutions through data analytics and player-engagement solutions. During H1 2020, Playtech launched Playtech Protect, a unified brand for its safer gambling products and research.
Playtech Protect serves as the umbrella for brands including BetBuddy, as well as a several brands from outside the industry focusing on safer gambling, and is offered to all its B2B licensees.
Playtech chairman Claire Milne highlighted the need to develop “meaningful partnerships” that would allow the London-listed supplier to advance its safer gambling mandate.
“This collaboration will aid us in fulfilling our duty and commitment to use our expertise, experience and technology to promote an industry which provides both an entertaining and safe environment that supports digital and mental wellbeing and resilience,” Milne explained.
The RGC aims to promote a responsible gambling culture among players through research and advocacy-based initiatives. It operates a global consultation service which uses the research to shape safer gambling best practice strategies which can be used by tier-one operators internationally.
RGC director Janine Robinson said the partnership would enable positive change among operators, advancing responsible gambling standards.
“The impact of the digital world on mental health is a growing concern for many but one which is currently not particularly well understood. We believe adopted digital resilience and safer gambling behaviours will be an important part of protecting mental health,” Robinson added.