ICRG’s Problem Gambling Research To Be Funded By DraftKings
Gambling opponents in the United Kingdom and America have been pushing for gaming and betting operators to do more to combat the growing rise in problem gambling numbers. They have pushed for operators to make bigger financial contributions to fund responsible gambling research and problem gambling treatment.
Some of the biggest betting operators in the UK have pledged over the last couple of years to give more to support problem gambling research. DraftKings, one of the biggest names in the U.S. sports betting market is making a financial commitment to do more to fund gambling research.
DraftKings To Financially Support ICRG
DraftKings is one of the biggest players in the U.S sports betting market. The operator has made a financial pledge to back the special research project carried out by the International Center for Responsible Gaming (IRCG). The IRCG is currently offering a grant to support research on sports betting and is in the process of accepting applications from U.S and international researchers who belong to top tier universities.
DraftKings decided to get behind this project and make a financial commitment as the special project was in line with its values and goals. DraftKings chairman Jason Robins said that the company was committed to player protection at all times and took its responsibility to offer a safe player experience very seriously.
DraftKings did not confirm what amount of funding it would be donating to IRCG but it is clear that the funding will look at three key areas of research. The first area deals with the differences between other forms of gambling and sports betting, the second looks at a global demographic and does a study and comparison of problem gambling numbers while the third area focuses on evaluating current gambling programs and intervention procedures.
Gambling Research Project Will Last Till 2024
Dr. Russell Sanna, executive director for ICRG said that it was critical for more public health research projects to be undertaken so that scientific data can be obtained to study problem gambling and get better insight. She said the funding from DraftKings will enable her organization to do exactly this.
ICRG is currently accepting grant applications from researchers who are willing to cover any of the three areas mentioned above. All applications will be peer reviewed and those that make the cut will then be reviewed by an independent Scientific Advisory Board from ICRG. The application that makes the final shortlist will receive the grant which will be for a three year project that ends in 2024. This grant will cover NGO, private and public institutions.