Safer Gambling Week 2023 initiative roundup 

LeoVegas and Blackpool FC to display RG messaging against Shrewsbury Town

LeoVegas and Blackpool FC will replace the operator’s regular branding on the front of the League One side’s shirt to display key messaging and logos associated with responsible gambling and Safer Gambling Week. 

The shirts will be worn for this weekend’s fixture at home to Shrewsbury Town. Blackpool will be the only English Football League club to display safer gambling messaging on their shirts this weekend. 

Sam Behar, LeoVegas Group director of UK and Ireland, said: “Responsible gaming is at the heart of our offering at LeoVegas. We are incredibly proud to work with Blackpool FC and make sure all fans understand the range of tools we have on offer to ensure our players keep their play safe. 

“Safer Gambling Week is an important time of the year to the industry and, as such, ensuring we replace our logo on the front of shirt to promote the week was crucial to us at LeoVegas. We thank Blackpool for their ongoing support for this week and for how we communicate our commitment to responsible gambling.”

Jonty Castle, Blackpool FC COO, added: “Safer Gambling Week is an important nationwide initiative, which both ourselves at the football club and LeoVegas wanted to bring to the forefront of people’s thinking this weekend.

“Raising awareness on the importance of safer gambling is vital, and Saturday’s match will see us promote this in a unique way, with LeoVegas replacing their front of shirt sponsorship with the ‘Safer Gambling’ logos. 

“Alongside crucial information, support and advice being spread across our website and social media platforms, the key messaging surrounding Safer Gambling Week is being circulated as far and wide as possible by both ourselves and our valued partners at LeoVegas.”

Kindred Group and Rangers collaborate for gambling education sessions

Rangers FC are set to launch independent gambling education sessions for their players and staff in collaboration with Kindred Group.

The initiative will be funded by Kindred and led by safer gambling consultancy EPIC Risk Management. 

The sessions will aim to be bespoke and tailored to individual needs and draw on insights from former professional football players who have experienced gambling-related issues or harm.

This collaboration will involve participation from the men’s first team, B-team and women’s teams as well as selected academy cohorts in separate sessions.

Sam Mead, UK General Manager at Kindred Group, said: “Kindred wants to run a sustainable business built on people enjoying themselves safely. That’s why we have reaffirmed our commitment not only to this project with Rangers but to our ‘Journey towards Zero’ too.”

Karim Virani, CCO at Rangers, remarked: “We realise the importance of safeguarding our players and staff and allowing them to discuss issues relating to the sector in a welcoming and understanding environment.

“That the sessions are led by former football players is a big advantage, going beyond discussing the rule book and adding that key element of relatability.”

EveryMatrix highlights safer gambling initiatives and achievements 

EveryMatrix enjoyed a strong Q3 in terms of financial results but the firm also became the first igaming supplier to receive WLA Safer Gambling certification following a rigorous company-wide audit process.

Its environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy also includes a strengthened safer gambling strategy to ensure its clients and all 850 employees across its 12 global offices are fully informed of the latest research to operate responsibly and ethically.

The supplier partnered with Safer Gambling Week and sent out internal safer gambling communications and activities to raise awareness of the potential negative impact gambling can have on people and ways to help prevent, mitigate and spot the signs of problem gambling activity.

EveryMatrix also provided resources to help those affected by gambling-related harm and discussed and promoted ways the firm integrates safer gambling processes and functionality into its everyday operations and products.

Ebbe Groes, EveryMatrix CEO, said: “Positive and social impact is proven to drive a sustainable and profitable business. At EveryMatrix, we strive to continually embed this within our culture. 

“I was particularly proud in September when the business became the first supplier to achieve World Lottery Association (WLA) safer gambling certification. 

“This sees us commit to consistently implementing high standards of safer gambling and player protection across the entire business in everything we do, and I look forward to building on this as we head towards 2024.”

Southampton to raise safer gambling awareness ahead of Cardiff City fixture

English Football League outfit Southampton will promote safer gambling by hosting a Better Change pop-up hub before the 2 December match against Cardiff City.

The club will also promote the RecoverMe mobile app which offers users sessions on mindfulness and other tools to ensure gambling takes place safely and responsibly.

Charlie Boss, Southampton CCO, said: “Promoting safer gambling is our responsibility as a club, and part of our commitment to protect fans and the community. We’re really grateful to our partners and organisations like Better Change, who are helping to champion a safer future for our fans and the gambling industry, with responsible play at its heart.”

David Richardson, Better Change head of strategic partnerships, added: “Working with Saints for over a year now has been a pleasure, they’re a club that proactively make an impact with their Halo Effect forming the platform for their socially responsible activities.”