Entain, the leading global sports betting and gaming entertainment operator, has unveiled a number of initiatives in support of Problem Gambling Awareness Month, taking place across the US throughout March.

The initiatives build on Entain’s commitment to provide the world’s safest and most trusted betting and gaming experience for its customers around the globe. Via its not-for-profit, Entain Foundation, the Group has heavily invested in the research, education and treatment of problematic behaviours as well as in educating and promoting the integrity of sport.

The initiatives announced by Entain include:

o Together with BetMGM, the joint venture it operates with MGM Resorts, Entain is promoting the Eighth Annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day led by Harvard Medical School faculty at the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance. The event provides resources including an online screening toolkit to enable individuals to identify if they may be exhibiting behaviours associated with increased risk of harm. BetMGM will promote the screening day to its customers in the U.S., while Entain will promote to its UK customers through the Ladbrokes and Coral brands.

o Platinum membership of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. Entain is pleased to join the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling as a supporting Platinum organizational member. Incorporated in September 1984, the non-profit Council serves as an advocate, information resource, and a provider of programs and services to meet the needs of individuals and families who are affected by problem gambling in Nevada.

o Support for a nationwide survey in the U.S. with partners NAADGS, EPIC Risk Management and Kindbridge to establish the extent of existing provision and support for individuals who do identify as suffering from gambling-related disorders in the U.S.

“It is our ambition, with our partners and support from BetMGM, to provide the most comprehensive portfolio of responsible gambling initiatives, partnerships and services in the gaming entertainment sector in the United States,” said Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs & Responsible Gambling. “We are proud of our commitment and will continue our leadership in serving this vital area.”

The screening day event is one of several initiatives on responsible gambling that Entain is pursuing with Harvard Medical School faculty at the Division on Addiction, with whom it has a five-year research program underway into drivers of addiction. The program is wide-ranging, across all areas of sports betting and gaming including around recommendations for markers of activity that can be used to help protect those at risk. Entain is pioneering a technology-led, proactive approach to help protect those at risk.

The announcement by Entain follows the recent extension of its responsibility and player protection initiatives to support related sectors, including video gaming and esports earlier this year. It has partnered with NAADGS, Kindbridge, and EPIC Risk Management to deliver these projects.

Entain is also working with organizations to feed into the next iteration of the APGSA (Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators) survey. Last conducted in 2016, the survey is the most frequently cited study in legislative debates across the U.S. in relation to responsible betting and gaming.