Utilizing Technology, Research and Partnerships in the US to provide innovative solutions to player protection
Responsible Gambling (RG) is embedded in Entain’s corporate growth strategy as much as its organic growth, acquisitions, and operating platform. We want our customers to enjoy our products and services, have fun and keep coming back. One problem gambler is one too many, so we continue to do everything possible to help ensure a safe and enjoyable playing experience for all.
We only want to operate in regulated markets and our commitment to responsibility is not only about protecting our players, but also about building trust and loyalty. We use our data, analytics and expertise to build advanced protection. In our markets we aim to help regulators and market participants understand and meet our high standards. The US market is in rapid growth following the repeal of PASPA; 32 U.S. jurisdictions have legalized some form of sports betting in the past four years, with more states likely to follow. As a result, policies around player safety are still developing.
The good news is that they are developing rapidly with, for example, New Jersey’s pioneering rulemaking that will soon require technical and human behaviors-based RG programs as an operator licensing requirement. New Jersey is currently leading U.S. regulatory agencies in Responsible Gambling protocols, based in part on Entain’s RG principles. It’s a significant step and other states are poised to follow New Jersey’s lead.
While RG regulations evolve, Entain has taken the lead in developing the U.S. gaming industry’s most comprehensive RG portfolio.
Entain took a lead in the recent agreement between the largest online betting and gaming operators in the US who came together to agree to the first industry-led responsible gaming standards. The 12-point pledge is firstly, a commitment to principles of responsibility and secondly a clear recommendation for an industry benchmark.
Many of Entain’s RG programmes in the U.S. are sponsored by the Entain Foundation U.S. Launched in 2019, the Entain Foundation U.S. is a first-of-its-kind non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity, and corporate compliance in the U.S.
It also sponsors a variety of information and education programmes on problem gambling for professional athletes, collegiate athletes, coaches, and teams at more than 70 U.S colleges and universities, and several associated leagues.
Globally, the Entain Foundation has committed more than $100 million to great causes over five years. This support funds partnerships with the top outfits dedicated to preventing and mitigating problem gambling. Professional athletes’, collegiate athletes, coaches, and employees are priority audiences as they often exhibit higher risks of problem gambling, partly because of their in-depth familiarity with their sport, teams, and players.
Other at-risk audiences served by Entain partnerships include current and former members of the military and urban communities facing socio-economic and substance abuse challenges.
Entain’s RG programs and targeted audiences are based on extensive research. The Foundation sponsors commercial, scientific, and human behavior research by top experts at prestigious universities.
These include the Foundation’s sponsorship of multi-year studies conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers on underlying health issues leading to risky behaviors and addictions.
In another research initiative, experts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) have published recommendations based on ground-breaking research into gaming industry advertising and its effects on audiences.
These include the Foundation’s sponsorship of multi-year studies conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers on underlying health issues leading to risky behaviors and addictions.
One of many research initiatives that we undertake includes working with experts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) who have based on ground-breaking research into gaming industry advertising and its effects on audiences.
More recently, the Entain Foundation U.S. provided a founding grant to UNLV for a pioneering betting and gaming research initiative. The new Center for Gambling, Policy, and Health will combine scientific research with operational expertise to identify best practices in responsible gambling, policy, and health.
The Foundation and Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey, also co-host legal training in compliance and integrity in the sports betting sector.
These projects have a distinct personal focus that’s incredibly important for their success. We also apply the latest tools in the worlds of communications and information technology, including an app called Gamble Responsibly America.
This first‐of‐its‐kind mobile app provides practical tools, assistance, and advice to anyone facing potential issues with problem gambling. It has been comprehensively updated with new and improved features in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese. Available in the App Store and Google Play Store, the free app is unbranded and brings no commercial benefit to Entain or BetMGM, the U.S. business Entain jointly owns with MGM Resorts International.
Gamble Responsibly America’s recent improvements center around two areas: greater educational information about problem gambling, and more tools for users to access help and support. The app’s educational categories include discussions about disordered gambling, behavioral markers of concern, establishing limits, frequently asked questions, and informative videos about responsible gambling.
The Entain Foundation U.S. also introduced a series of NFT’s on Responsible Gambling and a podcast to ensure that Responsible Gambling information and education are promoted, visible, and readily available.