ESG watch (March 2022)
All the latest ESG news from the igaming industry, including updates from IGT, Barstool and Merkur
Time2play.com and Gamban join forces to reduce gambling harm
The casino comparison site Time2play.com has now partnered with Gamban to support problem gamblers.
The new initiative will see Time2play provide Gamban subscriptions free of charge to those that have signed up using their website. A Gamban subscription usually costs $35 (£26.57) per year.
Time2play’s co-founder Tim Tepass said: “We wanted to do more to help any of our players that may be struggling with gambling addiction. Gamban was the obvious choice for us because of its reliable technology. Other tools are easily bypassed and don’t offer the same level of protection.”
Gamban’s co-founder Jack Symons added: “It’s vital that players understand that there is support available if things get out of control. Time2play can raise standards for affiliates in reducing gambling harm.”
Merkur’s charitable contributions reach £1.25m with Bacta donation
Merkur UK recently donated £5,000 to the Bacta Charitable Trust, which took its total charitable donations in the UK to £1.25m.
Merkur UK donated as part of its wider Merkur Initiative programme, which was introduced to help smaller community-based charities.
The Merkur Initiative has helped over 40 groups, including animal sanctuaries, food banks and a hospice roof appeal.
Merkur UK general manager Sascha Blodau said: “The Merkur Initiative is all about providing financial assistance to those smaller charities that don’t receive the level of publicity and support enjoyed by bigger and better-known organisations.”
Bacta Charitable Trust chairman Jimmy Thomas added: “This sum is hugely appreciated by everyone connected with the Bacta Charitable Trust and extends Merkur UK’s tremendous support for community-focused worthy causes.”
IGT supports Problem Gambling Awareness Month
As March was Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in the US, IGT launched its social media campaign ‘Positive Play’, which was designed to raise public awareness of the annual campaign.
Every Tuesday in March, IGT profiled a different employee and staged a discussion over what responsible gambling and Positive Play meant to them and how their role helped reflect that message.
In addition to this, IGT donated to the International Center for Responsible Gaming to extend its support for its lottery research fund and responsible gaming research fund.
Wendy Montgomery, IGT SVP of marketing, communications and sustainability, commented: “Responsible gaming has been a large part of IGT’s DNA for many years, and the importance of it is instilled in our employees across all business segments through a variety of programmes.
“It is through industry initiatives such as Problem Gambling Awareness Month that we can showcase our leadership in this space on a broader scale and bring further awareness to our customers and their players.”
Barstool Fund pledges grants to small business owners with military backgrounds
The Barstool Fund is set to expand to help businesses owned and operated by current military, veterans, first responders and National Guard who are struggling with expenses, local regulations and supply chain issues.
The fund was originally set up in 2020 to help businesses that were shut down as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but weren’t receiving help from the government. In 2021, it raised $40m. Payments ranging from $5,000 to $60,000 were distributed to nearly 400 businesses across the US.
On 28 March, Barstool announced that The Barstool Fund would be expanding to help businesses owned by current military, veterans, first responders and National Guard who are having difficulty staying afloat due to expenses, local regulations and supply chain issues.
Barstool blogger and marine, “Uncle Chaps”, confirmed $3m has been set aside for an initiative called “The Barstool Difference” to distribute to those specific businesses.
In an announcement on Twitter, Uncle Chaps said: “These will be one-time grants, really investments in your business, that you as the owner will use to help recover from the impact of Covid.
“We want to get this money in your hands so that you can continue doing what you do.”