19 January, 2024 | GGA EMEA 2024 Shortlist

Social Responsibility of the Year 

We present to you the 2024 Shortlist for the Social Responsibility of the Year award, sponsored by EGT. 

Flutter Entertainment: Flutter’s UK and Ireland division committed up to £8m to charitable initiatives in 2023. A particular highlight is Sky Bet launching the £6m ‘Building Foundations Fund’ in partnership with the English Football League, representing the largest multi-year, sponsor-backed fund that is dedicated solely to community activity and will give the 72 EFL clubs a chance to bid for grants to invest in ongoing programmes. This activity forms part of Flutter’s wider global pledge to Do More and improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030. Additionally, Flutter invests heavily in RG - it is working towards having 75% of active online customers using Play Well tools by 2030 and over 50% by 2026. 

The Hippodrome Casino: No other land-based casino in the UK does more for its local community than London’s Hippodrome Casino. The property’s Executive Chairman, Simon Thomas, is an active spokesman for the development of the gaming industry but also on local and national government issues that affect businesses in London’s West End. In 2023 The Hippodrome strengthened its connection with EPIC Global Solutions. EPIC will be working on site at The Hippodrome with both licensed and unlicensed customer-facing staff to ensure that all interactions with clients throughout their entire visit to the casino will have safer gambling practices at the heart of their approach. 

NOVOMATIC: ESG is an integral part of NOVOMATIC’s corporate strategy as the company strives for continuous improvement as part of its comprehensive sustainability program. In October 2023, ISS ESG raised NOVOMATIC’s rating to “C” for the first time, placing the company in the top 30% of the electronics industry. The company has improved particularly in the areas of “Employees and suppliers”, “Society and product responsibility” and “Corporate governance and business ethics”. RG is also a priority for the company which now holds G4 player protection standard certifications in Austria, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malta, Spain and Italy. 

IGT: IGT debuted Sustainable Play™, demonstrating its commitment to global sustainability leadership and celebrating its people and planet. This includes publishing 16 consecutive annual sustainability reports and earning some of the highest ESG ratings in its sector, while setting standards in gaming for sustainable practices. IGT upholds 9 of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adhering to the UN Global Compact and is the only G4-certified company across 3 businesses. 

Mindway AI: In 5 years Mindway AI has grown from a small startup to an international safer gambling company. Its software is running in over 61 jurisdictions around the world with over 7.5 million monthly active players. The company’s GameScanner has been tested and validated by GLI and its list of partners now includes NCPG, Entain, Flutter, Tabcorp, JOI, to name a few. In March 2023, Mindway AI partnered with the Hellenic Gaming Commission with the aim to enhance player protection in Greece. Later in the year, it also collaborated with the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) to provide a self-assessment tool on its website. 

Amusnet: Amusnet demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by creating a new game with the aim to support a cause. The innovative Drops of Water slot raised funds for charity: water. Amusnet donated 3% of profits, generated from Drops of Water, to provide fresh water to communities in need in Africa and India. In just seven months, Drops of Water reached 30 markets, garnering support from 600+ operators. Funds raised enabled two sustainable water hubs, benefiting 5,000 people.  

Betsson Group: Betsson is keen to be part of its local communities. Inside and outside of the company, the team does its best to make an impact by donating time and resources to participate in various charitable initiatives throughout the year. In 2023, Betsson launched the first Diversity and Inclusion Network in Malta with the aim to encourage open conversations about D&I, and provide practical tools and resources for organisations and individuals to make a positive impact, whichever the industry they operate in. The company also became a participant of the United Nations Global Compact initiative – a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices. 

Française des Jeux (FDJ): Faithful to the legacy of the French national lottery – created to help wounded WWI soldiers – FDJ continues to support social and community initiatives, and fund good causes. 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of FDJ’s Corporate Foundation which is committed to promoting equal opportunities through play in two areas: education and integration. Also in 2023, FDJ entered into a partnership with LGBT+ group l’Autre Cercle as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company also received the highest sustainability rating in the hotel, leisure and services sector from Moody’s ESG Solutions for the 5th consecutive year. 

OpenBet: In the past year, OpenBet offered its employees volunteer leave days, used to volunteer to provide support to those affected by the Syria and Turkey earthquake, for a blood donation drive for a train accident in Athens and for a beach clean-up, to name a few initiatives. Additionally, OpenBet solidified its commitment to RG by acquiring responsible gaming anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud detection service Neccton. The company also became a WLA Gold Contributor, confirming it meets the high standards set by the WLA to promote a safe, enjoyable and responsible player environment. 

TVBET: TVBET founded the Bet On Good Foundation with the aim to unite the efforts of the betting industry and support the causes that can help solve the pressing issues of our time, starting with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Each participating company can assign a person to the Board of the Bet On Good Foundation, and have a say on what causes to direct funds to. TVBET actively promotes the Bet on Good Foundation at industry events around the world. In 2023, the Foundation, together with Gamingtec, launched the Feed Those Who Need campaign which saw food packages being provided to thousands of families. 

The Social Responsibility of the Year category is sponsored by EGT. 

Euro Games Technology (EGT) is a worldwidе gaming manufacturer with headquarters in Bulgaria and representative offices in Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central, and South America. EGT’s portfolio includes video slot games, gaming machines, multiplayer solutions, iGaming products, and casino management systems. The company’s international certificates from various regulatory agencies and testing laboratories, including GLI, SIQ, ISO, and SAP, guarantee the high quality and the compliance of its products with the requirements of different jurisdictions. EGT’s focus on the latest technologies has made it a highly appreciated partner globally. Its machines are currently installed in over 100 countries around the world.