Playtech, the world’s leading gambling technology company, announced a new collaboration with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), the international leader in problem gambling prevention, awareness and research. The relationship aims to strengthen industry insights to inform and advance safer gambling, mental health and digital wellbeing. This collaboration is one of the first examinations of safer gambling alongside digital wellbeing.

Playtech will use its expertise and experience to support the RGC to examine the links between mental health, digital wellbeing and gambling using a combination of thought leadership, research, and evaluation of initiatives. All research and evaluation will benefit from the RGC’s full circle perspective working with regulators, operators, treatment providers and the gambling public across the globe. RGC is an independent non-profit organization with over 35 years of experience in problem gambling prevention in Canada and internationally.

The relationship with RGC forms part of Playtech’s efforts to partner with global leaders on research, education and technology initiatives as part of its sustainability and responsible business strategy, Sustainable Success. Sustainable Success aims to help people live healthier online lives and improve the way Playtech supports digital and mental wellbeing, and safer gambling.

The Responsible Gambling Council conducts research and identifies best practices that create a culture of responsible gambling, augmenting its own information and resources through strategic partnerships with key industry players. The RGC’s global consultation service RG Plus turns this research into tailored, best-in-class policies and practices which allow top operators to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe, enjoyable experience for customers.

The collaboration will further strengthen Playtech’s commitment to place safer gambling at the heart of its core products and services, known as Playtech Protect. Playtech is pioneering the use of research, data and technology to develop products to identify at-risk customers through the use artificial intelligence and to deliver tailored safer gambling interventions to customers based on their personalised risk profiles.

Claire Milne, Interim Chairman, Playtech, said: “The Responsible Gambling Council is a leader in research and best practice standards that drive the gambling sector to build a more sustainable and safe industry for the benefit of all stakeholders. As part of our Sustainable Success strategy we aspire to develop meaningful partnerships that will advance the safer gambling agenda. 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.”

Janine Robinson, Director of RGC’s Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices, added: “Playtech is an industry leader and we look forward to working together to influence positive change and advance 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 adopting digital resilience and safer gambling behaviours will be an important part of protecting mental health.”

Further initiatives coming as part of Playtech’s Sustainable Success strategy will be outlined across the year.