GVC to Invest $5m into Harvard's Responsible Gambling Study

One of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, Isle of Man-based company, GVC Holdings, announced that the company plans on partnering up with Harvard University…

…and investing $5m in a research project about responsible gaming.

Changing for the Bettor

This research project is part of the campaign the company named, Changing for the Bettor, which will be conducted over the next five years…

…in order to research the effect of gambling on people and their gambling behavior.

In cooperation with Harvard Medical School’s Division, thorough research will focus on various areas like patterns of normal iGaming behavior, as well as identifying behavioral markers for specific types of betting and gaming problems.

The research will also be focused on the effects of gambling expansion in new markets.

Preventing the Addiction

But, the ultimate goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of algorithms used by GVC to detect risky behavior, as well as the effectiveness of sending intervention messages…

…and other responsible gaming tools that are currently in use by GVC and other operators.

“It is only by taking an evidence-based approach to examining gambling that we can develop better strategies and tools to limit its potential to cause harm,” said Dr. Howard Shaffer, Morris E. Chafetz Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Behavioural Sciences at Harvard Medical School and director of its Division on Addiction.

“The collaboration with GVC that we have announced today will play a significant role in advancing our knowledge about gambling and intemperate gambling and is warmly welcomed,“ he added.

A Word from GVC

GVC, who recently merged with MGM Resorts, is the first gambling operator that has ed a ban on showing gambling ads during live sports broadcasts. The company will also launch an algorithm…

…that will point out gambling problems on its UK websites while working with the Safer Online Gambling Group on making gambling products safer for their players.

“Whilst the vast majority of our customers enjoy playing with us in a safe and fun environment we are aware that for some players, gambling can impact their lives negatively,” GVC director of responsible gaming, Grainne Hurst, explained for the press.

“We are committed to leading the industry in minimising potential harm caused by problem gambling,“ Hurst added.

The UK Welcomes the Initiative

The UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society told the press that the UK government openly s this initiative…

…and that he thinks that gambling operators are the ones that hold the key when it comes to the protection of s from the harm and potential risks of excessive gambling.

“Research is essential to progress in this area and GVC’s Changing for the Bettor campaign will make an important contribution to tackling problem gambling,” the UK government’s Minister for Sport and Civil Society, Mims Davies, said.

“We are committed to protecting consumers across the country and are working with industry to create a healthy and more socially responsible sector,” Davis concluded.

Source:

“GVC to fund $5m Harvard responsible gambling study“, igamingbusiness.com, January 23, 2019.