Allwyn has announced the launch of its new ‘Player Protection Lab’, a responsible gambling initiative aimed at supporting research to advance player safety.
Operating on a global scale, the programme will work with both researchers and academics to develop new player protection measures.
An initial call for proposals, which runs through to 14 November this year, will focus on three core areas. These comprise digital innovation; using messaging to drive positive playing; and developing effective safety tools.
Projects must align with Allwyn’s responsible gambling priorities, including driving positive play through safer gaming messaging, digital innovation and the development of effective new tools. Proposals must also address a knowledge gap and deliver benefits for player safety.
Allwyn said it would award funding of up to €100,000 ($117,115) for each successful project submitted during the open application. This, it added, would depend on the scope of each prospective proposal.
Funding will be made available across two budgetary bands: up to €50,000 for small-scale projects or €51,000-€100,000 for medium-scale projects.
Ongoing commitment to player protection at Allwyn
The launch of the Player Protection Lab represents the latest responsible gambling initiative to come out of Allwyn. In August, the group also commenced its first group-level responsible gambling campaign – ‘Play the Right Way’. This focused on encouraging players to make use of spending limits and other responsible gaming tools.
“The Player Protection Lab is an exciting new avenue for us,” Allwyn Head of Responsible Gaming Nicole Garrett said. “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.”
Changes aplenty for Allwyn
Aside from player protection, Allwyn has recently made several other changes as part of an effort to improve the overall customer experience.
These include a major tech upgrade to the National Lottery, where Allwyn carried out wide-scale changes across the lottery retail network. It also committed to installing thousands of new lottery terminals over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Allwyn has advanced its digital-focused strategy with several deals. These included agreeing to acquire a 51% majority stake in Logflex MT Holding Limited, the owner of online sports betting and gaming group Novibet. It also announced the sale of land-based casino assets in Germany and Australia and acquired the remaining stake in Greece- and Cyprus-facing online operator, Stoiximan.
In addition, Allwyn appointed Kresimir Spajic as CEO of its new digital business.
On top of all this, Allwyn reported a 6% year-on-year increase in revenue to €2.27 billion during Q2, while adjusted EBITDA also climbed 6% to €362 million.
Allwyn will award up to €100,000 per project in the new Player Protection Lab scheme.