Industry News
Flutter Calls for Startups to Help Tackle Societal Challenges and Safer Gambling Innovations from Around the World
Flutter Entertainment is calling upon startups in its partnership programme Alpha Hub to help find solutions that provide responsible gambling and community support.
Alpha Hub is a global virtual community of startups, academics, investors and corporate partners with technologies and ideas that can positively enhance the betting and gaming industry.
Flutter has two programmes – Flutter Tech4Good Award and Flutter & RGC: Play Well Challenge – which support the company’s overall Positive Impact Plan of achieving global sustainability targets in responsible gambling and wider goals by 2030.
The Tech4Good Award brings to light how technology can help to address social issues, particularly those that meet the needs of disadvantaged groups, have a clear plan to scale and ability to measure the impact of their solution.
In partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council, based in Canada, the Play Well Challenge aims to use insights from systems, technologies and research to create a safer gambling environment for players.
Flutter Entertainment’s Positive Impact Plan global sustainability goals include:
- Having a positive impact on communities and improving the lives of 10 million people by the end of 2030 through sport, play and colleagues’ skills.
- Helping customers to Play Well by having 75% of active online customers using responsible gambling tools by 2030 and over 50% by 2026.
“The Flutter Tech4Good Award and Play Well Challenge align our expertise in technology with the ambitious targets set out within our Positive Impact Plan. As part of this, we want to utilise our global scale and in-house talent to support the innovative startups that are developing technology that enhances consumer protection and drives positive change in the communities in which we operate,” Conor Lynch, Chief Information Officer at Flutter Entertainment, said.
“RGC is proud to collaborate with Flutter on this important programme to minimise harms related to gambling. The Flutter & RGC Play Well Challenge has the ability to drive real change in responsible gambling, globally, and ultimately create a safer gambling experience for millions of people,” Shelley White, CEO of RGC, said.
Industry News
eCOGRA Announces Leadership Transition
eCOGRA, the leading Testing, Inspection, and Certification company serving the iGaming industry, announced two changes to its leadership structure.
Following a period of outstanding international growth, which has seen eCOGRA expand to 39 jurisdictional approvals, including most recently Peru and Brazil, as well as establish new offices in Europe and the US, the business announced Will Shuckburgh has been appointed to the newly created role of Group CEO from 1 July 2024. As part of the transition to a fully global business, the Company also announced Shaun McCallaghan, who has been with the Company for 16 years, the last 6 of which have been as CEO, will take on the new board role of Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
Will Shuckburgh brings a proven track record leading customer focused businesses through periods of high growth and international expansion. Will, who joined eCOGRA in January 2024, is set to assume the role of Group CEO, following a 6-month hand over period. He has previously held positions as Managing Director at Nectar, Executive Vice President & Chief Membership Officer at Rakuten, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Invincible Brands, amongst others. In these roles, he successfully designed and executed strategies, to achieve profitable growth across multiple markets where client experience was essential.
Shaun McCallaghan has been a driving force behind eCOGRA’s success in recent years. Shaun’s approach is underscored by hard work, unwavering client loyalty and service, and the building of robust regulatory business relationships. Shaun has played a key role in securing dual accreditations, expanding jurisdictional coverage, diversifying the service offering, and enlarging eCOGRA’s client and staff base, while also successfully extending Testing, Inspection, and Certification services into North and South America. These, amongst many other achievements, have helped eCOGRA continue to grow and support clients in the ever-changing regulatory environment in which they operate.
Shaun now looks forward to taking up his newly formed role of Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs. This role will focus on ensuring clients will continue to receive the same high quality and reliable services that they have been accustomed to from eCOGRA. Shaun will continue to be a member of the board.
Mark Brooker, the Group Chairman, said: “Will’s appointment brings fresh energy, insight and strategic vision, aligning perfectly with eCOGRA’s commitment to excellence across each of its markets. The changes also reflect eCOGRA’s commitment to stability and innovation, with Shaun continuing to play a key role in the Company’s future success through his new role of Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs.”
David Cowan, representing the majority shareholder Hanover Investors, commented: “This transition signifies a natural evolution in eCOGRA’s leadership landscape in response to the strong growth of the business. Shaun’s transition enables a more hands-on approach to delivery, ensuring eCOGRA’s expansion maintains the highest standards of service to positively elevate the client journey. Meanwhile, Will Shuckburgh, is a seasoned high-growth CEO with an impressive track record, who brings visionary leadership and transformative abilities to the business. Known for identifying and capitalising on emerging opportunities, Will’s focus on fostering a culture of collaboration, and continuous improvement will elevate eCOGRA’s global presence. Together Will and Shaun will maintain our steadfast commitment to excellence and have the full support of the Board and the Shareholders.”
The post eCOGRA Announces Leadership Transition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
GambleAware calls for health warnings on gambling ads, as major research highlights need for improved safer gambling messaging
GambleAware, the leading commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has called for enhanced evidence-based health warnings on gambling adverts. The call comes in response to findings published today from an independent research consortium, showing the need for clearer safer gambling messaging that highlights the risks associated with gambling.
The research, based on a survey of over 7,000 people, has called into question the effectiveness of the widely used industry-led slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ (TTTT). The report revealed that the current slogan fails to land the jeopardy of gambling harms or signpost where people can get help.
Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer for GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms are a serious public health issue, and it is vital that people are aware of the risks associated. Today’s landmark study underscores the need to replace the industry-led slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ with more compelling health warnings.
“We’re also concerned about operators’ misuse of the GambleAware logo and the lack of clear signposting to support channels. We urge industry to take heed of the growing body of evidence highlighting the need for better safeguards and restrictions.”
Findings from the study indicate replacing current industry marketing messages with three new health warnings, which were shown to be clearer, more impactful, and more memorable to both the public and people who gamble.
Emphasising addictiveness was shown to prompt behaviour change, with the strapline ‘Gambling can be addictive’ having greater cut-through (46% of people who gamble vs. 35% for TTTT) and prompting the most people setting the lowest deposit limit. The warning ‘Gambling comes at a cost’ was seen by people who gamble as more impactful and memorable, especially compared to TTTT (22% of people who gamble say this vs. 12% for TTTT). It effectively conveyed implications beyond financial harms. ‘Gambling can grip anyone’ also performed well across metrics.
Dr Raffaello Rossi, a lecturer in marketing at Bristol University and co-author of the research, said: “In the absence of strict gambling marketing restrictions, it is absolutely vital that we see warnings on gambling advertising that highlight the addictive nature of gambling, paired with clear, unambiguous signposting for people to access support if needed. We need to see better regulation of gambling operators who are widely bombarding us with their ads.”
Additional findings showed that the inclusion of a clear and separate GambleAware health warning at the end of a 30-second gambling advert was more than twice as effective than Take Time To Think at showing people where to get support (72% vs. 30% agree). The analysis will form the basis of a new guidelines3 providing operators with clear guidance and recommendations on how to promote safer gambling and prevent harm.
The latest report findings align with the recent Government response, which clearly set out the need for public health messaging to be integrated and reinforced to effectively reduce harm and have impact. They also follow recent research from GambleAware highlighting the role advertising plays in normalising gambling for children and young people, who described feeling their online world was “saturated” with betting promotions and gambling-like content.
Sam Starsmore, who has lived experience of gambling harm, said: “I’ve experienced first-hand the profound impact of gambling harm on every aspect of life – mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Sadly, there are potentially millions more people out there at risk of harm, and if they or a loved one are concerned about their gambling, they need to know where they can get help.
“Gambling operators spend millions on advertising, but there isn’t nearly enough regulation and signposting to support services has to be improved. Reflecting on my personal experiences, the safer gambling messages never had an impact in providing me with a platform or direction to seek the support I crucially needed. Change is needed and could help prevent so many people from more serious consequences further down the line.”
The post GambleAware calls for health warnings on gambling ads, as major research highlights need for improved safer gambling messaging appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Flutter receives formal approval of its science-based targets
Flutter Entertainment Plc announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has formally approved its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi has also verified Flutter’s net-zero science-based target by 2035.
Flutter’s net-zero target conforms with the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard and has been classified to be in line with a 1.5°C trajectory, aligning to the levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Scope 1, 2 and 3 targets approved by the SBTi are as follows:
Overall Net-Zero Target:Flutter commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions across the value chain by 2035. This is broken down as follows:
Near-Term Targets: Flutter commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 45% by 2030 from a 2022 base year. Flutter also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 45% within the same timeframe.
Long-Term Targets: Flutter commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2035 from a 2022 base year. Flutter also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe.
Flutter will provide regular reporting on progress against these targets, in addition to the approach to managing climate-related risk and opportunities.
Flutter’s Group Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Sue Albion, said: “At Flutter, we are committed to playing our part in moving toward environmental sustainability, for the health of our planet and the future success of our business. Around the world, our brands are taking steps to track their carbon footprint and reduce emissions, and we’re collaborating with partners across our supply chain to support them to do the same. Setting clear, science-based targets and holding ourselves accountable to deliver against them is a key part of this journey.”
The post Flutter receives formal approval of its science-based targets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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