GVC is today setting out a series of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to minimise potential harm caused by problem gaming. Alongside these responsible gaming measures, the Group is announcing a multi-million-pound investment into a new community programme.

Whilst the overwhelming majority of our customers enjoy gambling safely, GVC recognises that for a small minority, gambling can have a negative impact on their lives. In order to minimise the potential for harm, GVC is outlining a four-fold approach:

Advertising – Three quarters of the British public think there are too many betting advertisements on television in the UK. GVC recognises these concerns and will support a move to ban gambling adverts around live football, before the 9PM watershed.

Research – In order to better understand the scale and causes of the problem, GVC will be announcing details on a multi-million pound research partnership with one of the world’s leading academic institutions. This project will assess the extent of internet gambling, identify the markers of harm across products and propose improvements to our own algorithms. Further details will be provided in due course.

Education – Educating young people on the potential dangers of gambling-related harm is also central to the policy. GVC has therefore agreed to partner with GamCare, the leading provider of support to problem gamblers, to roll out its Youth Outreach Programme, nationwide across the UK. This investment of £500,000 over the next two years will continue to raise awareness in both young people and youth professionals of the dangers associated with gambling.

Increased investment – To support our responsible gaming programme, GVC will double its investment in this area, committing over £4 million in 2019, twice the contribution called for by the sector’s responsible gambling organisations.

Kenny Alexander, GVC’s CEO, commented on the announcement:

“As a leader in the industry, we fully recognise the need to ensure we do everything we can to ensure an enjoyable experience for our players that minimises the potential to cause harm. The measures we have set out today demonstrate our commitment to take tangible action to understand and reduce the impact of problem gambling.”

Alongside these responsible gaming measures, GVC is today announcing at a Parliamentary reception attended by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a new community programme to support aspiring athletes, as well as grassroots community and health projects, over the next three years.  These include:

A three-year partnership with SportsAid, which will deliver funding for 50 aspiring Olympians across the UK.

The establishment of an independent Community Fund, with £2 million of seed funding run and administered by the UK Community Foundation. This will deliver small scale grants to local good causes who promote grassroots sports and tackle men’s health issues. This is in addition to the existing Ladbrokes Coral Trust, a successful pro-bono colleague volunteering scheme and funding for a number of responsible gambling charities including Gamble Aware and GamCare.

SportsAid helps the next generation of British sports stars by giving them financial support and recognition during the critical early stages of their careers. Since 1976, SportsAid has helped aspiring British sportsmen and women when it matters most – at the very start of their journey towards becoming the next generation of sporting heroes. Almost two-thirds of Team GB at London 2012 were both former and current recipients of SportsAid’s support.

In addition, the multi-million-pound Community Fund will allow GVC to support long-term, sustainable, local good causes that help tackle a range of issues, including men’s health, grassroots sport, women in sport and disability sport.  Many of the organisations who will benefit need a small injection of cash to keep their heads above water and continue to provide a much-needed service in the local community.

Kenny Alexander, GVC’s CEO, added:

“Today’s unique investment highlights the new commitment that the company will be taking to invest and support the communities we serve.  Through these partnerships we are delighted to be supporting the sporting heroes of the future as well as the local clubs where many of them have started their aspiring careers.”

Tim Lawler, CEO of SportsAid said:

“SportsAid’s primary purpose is to support talented young sports people and GVC will help us to do that. A major challenge for us though, is to raise awareness of the charity and we feel, with this long term commitment from GVC that many more people will get to know hear about SportsAid.

“It’s an important time for British sport and SportsAid is well-placed to make a positive contribution. Support such as this from GVC, along with their aim to champion women in sport and disability sport in particular, enables SportsAid to continue making a real difference to the next generation of athletes.”