Entain Foundation joins up with UNLV for betting research initiative

The Entain Foundation has awarded a funding grant to the University of Nevada’s (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI) for its research initiative on betting and gaming.

The UNLV scheme will be the first in the US to combine scientific research with operational expertise to apply best practices in responsible gambling, policy and health.

The Entain Foundation US is a not-for-profit organisation funded by Entain, which jointly owns BetMGM in the US with MGM Resorts International and was subject to a takeover proposal from DraftKings earlier this week.

“We continue to support research around the world, but this initiative goes well beyond that and brings into focus what has been missing from this space – practical implementation of research that will benefit the customer base and the industry itself,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s senior VP of American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling.

UNLV’s IGI expects the initiative to take a multidisciplinary approach to develop innovative strategies and establish evidence-based best practices that translate research insights into operational programmes.

The initiative will focus on all gambling, including sports betting, online gaming and esports wagering across areas related to problem gambling, responsible gaming, public health, education, economic impacts, research and technology.

Bo Bernhard, UNLV VP of economic development and executive director of UNLV’s IGI, said: “For the first time in this field, this initiative brings vital academic research in the US to the public domain in dozens of applied settings.

“We are actively moving beyond the traditional research centre, since this project will translate scientific research into actionable, operational programmes that can be implemented in real venues by operators, regulators, legislators, clinicians and other stakeholders.”