IWD: Why diversity and inclusion is key to sustainable growth
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Betsson's head of ESG, Jonna Danlund, looks at why an inclusive working environment fosters higher-performing staff who shape the long-term success of a business
The global igaming market is projected to reach a market value of $125bn by 2030. The future is up for grabs for the companies with the vision and courage to seize the opportunity. But no single person – no matter how brilliant – can come up with the best ideas alone. Innovation is a team effort, and inclusion is everything.
Why? Because it’s simple human nature. Most of us have, at some point, been in a situation where we felt we didn’t quite belong. Maybe we were in a crowd that didn’t understand us, accept us or approve of us. In a setting that didn’t feel quite right and we felt out of place.
Think back to one such time. Did you speak up? Did you share that bold idea? Did you go the extra mile? Did you feel motivated? Successful? Like an important part of a winning team? Did you wake up the next day eager to show up, step up and deliver?
Probably not. Yet, that’s exactly what we expect from our employees. All in. All day. Every day.
Running a truly sustainable business – one that thrives and is profitable long term and successfully manages ESG risks and opportunities – relies on the everyday decisions of everyone in the company. We need everybody: every voice, every perspective, every insight to claim our share of that $125bn opportunity.
And here’s the key – people can only contribute at their best when they feel included. Without that, potential is lost. So, how do we foster inclusion? It starts with diversity.
The igaming industry has great potential in this area. Not since my time at the United Nations some 15 years ago have I had the privilege of working alongside so many talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
None of us are an island. We’re a team. At Betsson we are one team of 70+ nationalities and 2,500 personalities, all working together to drive innovation. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s the foundation of our success.
The igaming industry is fiercely competitive and highly regulated. All our stakeholders – regulators, customers, employees, investors, suppliers, the communities we operate in and the planet we live on – affect us, and we affect them right back. Quite a complex landscape. Add to that the growing opportunities in women’s sports, female customers’ engagement, female investors, as well as the expansion into new markets and cultures, and it’s clear; we need a holistic approach not to let any opportunity slip by.
Studies consistently show that companies with diverse boards, management teams and workforce outperform less diverse peers. That’s no coincidence. It’s our differences that challenge us, broadens our collective mind, and allows us to seize opportunities and be ready for change.
Simply put, we need all those diverse hands on deck – invested, engaged and ready to lean in. That’s why the path to sustainable success, and to that $125bn market, is built on diversity and inclusion.
Jonna Danlund, head of ESG at Betsson, holds a Master’s degree in Business and Economics and has over 20 years of experience in corporate communications and sustainability, working with leading public institutions and private companies worldwide.
Betsson has won multiple awards for diversity and workplace excellence and ranked second in the 2022-2023 All-in Diversity Index.