Game developer Playtech has announced a new responsible gambling partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The multi-year deal will see Playtech work alongside UNLV’s International Gaming Institute (IGI), leveraging their collective expertise in gambling technology and player protection.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the prestigious UNLV IGI,” commented Jonathan Doubilet, VP of US Business Operations at Playtech, in a press release. “Their expertise in the gambling and technology sector helps continue to generate powerful insights that benefit all stakeholders in advancing player protection.”

To begin, the companies will focus on using AI and machine learning to support responsible gambling. Playtech has committed funding to an IGI project aimed at investigating the potential of AI in training chatbots to promote responsible gambling behavior. In addition, Playtech is supporting the Gaming Manufacturing Internship Program at IGI’s Center for Gaming Innovation.

“It is a joy to work with Playtech across IGI’s many education, innovation, and research programs,” added Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director of the NLV International Gaming Institute. “Playtech is a global leader in gambling and gaming, and together we will advance a stronger, more sustainable industry.”

Playtech’s dedication

Since its founding in 1999, safe gambling solutions have been a key area of focus for Playtech, which offers tailored responsible gambling technology through its Playtech Protect ecosystem.

In Oct. 2017, the company acquired BetBuddy, an AI-powered solution that uses behavioral monitoring and risk modeling to detect problem gambling early on. In 2021, Playtech was the first company to achieve the GamCare B2B Safer Gambling Standard for its casino product licensed in Great Britain.

The company’s Italian division, Snaitech, also secured a renewal of the G4 international certification of responsible online gambling. Earlier this month, Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of gambling giant FanDuel, agreed to buy Snaitech from Playtech for $2.56 billion. Playtech also announced this week it was expanding its joint iGaming venture with bet365 to Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Playtech in advancing our responsible gambling research,” commented Kasra Ghaharian, director of research at the UNLV International Gaming Institute. “Their expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning is crucial in promoting safer gambling behaviors amongst players all around the world. 

“Playtech’s dedication to reducing gambling-related harm, aligns with our own goals of employing the most advanced methodologies to understand, predict, and prevent potential gambling harm.”

About the UNLV IGI

The UNLV’s International Gaming Institute is a nonprofit organization created in 1993 to provide insights, education, and solutions for the global gaming industry. The IGI provides its research to over 50 worldwide jurisdictions, including in areas such as responsible gambling, regulation and policy, sports, and esports.

Last fall, the institution received a $200,000 investment from sports betting brand ESPN BET to help enhance responsible gambling and marketing practices, developing evidence-based insights, and educating industry leaders.

The latest update comes as new research from the American Gaming Association (AGA) has revealed that the gaming industry spent a record $471.8 million on responsible gaming initiatives in 2023.

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