New tools enhance responsible gaming efforts and address emerging adult players

Interview with the CSRC Chair

Sarah M. Taylor discusses work of the Committee to support members and the different tools and resources that have been launched over the past year.

Responsible gaming is at the core of CSR activities for our lottery and sports betting operator members. What are some of the key challenges facing our industry?

Ensuring player safety remains a top priority for our members, who must balance delivering gaming products and environments that are responsible while entertaining.

From product design to launch, including marketing and communications, members must comply with all regulations in their jurisdictions.

It becomes increasingly challenging to remain competitive while making sure to attract legal age players only and not to entice minors or other vulnerable segments of the population, when faced with illegal operators and social media influencers, who do not adhere to the same rules and standards.

What are the benefits of certification to the WLA Responsible Gaming Framework and how does the WLA assist members in achieving RG environments, while raising funds to support good causes?

Our end goal is to support good causes and make a difference to societies around the world. Our industry’s success and reputation are built around delivering fair, secure products, services and safe player environments. One way to achieve this and instill public trust is through certification to the WLA Responsible Gaming Framework.

This allows our members to demonstrate to the public and all stakeholders across the global lottery and sports betting community that they adhere to industry best practices and achieve their goals in a responsible manner that puts player safety first.

In order to enhance the member support we provide, we have streamlined the entire certification process on one platform through our partnership with DigitalRG.com, which saves members time, resources and costs.

CSR activities have evolved beyond Responsible Gaming. What areas do they cover and what aspects should lotteries consider when developing a CSR program?

Beyond RG, there is also concern for the potential social impact of lottery operations, which extend to other Corporate Social Responsibility areas.

We have developed the Corporate Social Responsibility for the lotteries: Best Practices, which includes: business ethics – compliance management systems and whistleblowing channels and corporate governance; corporate citizenship – establishing strategic partnerships with a charitable organizations, or designing a strategic sponsorship program to support local causes; labor relations (diversity, equity, inclusion), environmental engagement, and RG and money for good causes.

It has been a busy year for the CSR Committee. What has been achieved this year and what is the Committee working on?

This year, a new resource area was added to the WLA website for all  CSR/RG activities, where visitors can find the RG Framework and supporting documents, latest updates and Project RED details.

Project RED developed together with our Regional Association partners and launched this year. It enables members to create a more Responsible, Ethical and Dynamic (RED) industry by enhancing CSR activities and initiatives. The Project provides powerful tools, resources and lottery case studies, as well as the opportunity to broaden contact with, and learn from lottery colleagues around the world.

WLA has also partnered with the New Gambling Research and Policy Initiative (GRPI) at East Carolina University and launched a microsite for Reaching Emerging Adults, which offers helpful materials on the Emerging Adult (18-24) population as it relates to gambling.

Finally, we have organized and participated in events in Europe, Latin America and North America, as well as online, to raise awareness of CSR and RG issues and the risks of illegal operators in relation to responsible gaming; offer tips and showcase examples of responsible marketing and promotions by lotteries in our global regions, and provide useful insights into the certification process.