Allwyn has reinforced its player safety commitment by launching its latest Player Protection Lab programme.

The project will serve as a launching pad for academics and experts in the responsible gambling field, who are looking to raise the standards of safer play through their own research projects.

Currently open for applications, successful candidates will be able to tap into grants that go up to €100,000 each, based on the scope of the proposal.

There are three criteria that applications will be judged on: digital innovation, efficiency of positive play messaging, as well as ideas for safety tools.

Nicole Garrett, Head of Responsible Gaming at Allwyn, said: “The Player Protection Lab is an exciting new avenue for Allwyn. Our responsible gaming team is seeking proposals that will encourage progress in player safety and break new ground in our industry. 

“We hope that by opening the application process, we will have the opportunity to explore genuinely new ideas and draw lessons from other sectors.”

Garrett recently spoke to Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News Editor, on the iGaming Daily podcast, where she further highlighted Allwyn’s efforts to protect players.

The Head of RG explained that responsible gaming is embedded in every aspect of the business, from product design to marketing. This is further bolstered by Allwyn’s status as a European Lotteries (EL) and World Lottery Association (WLA) member.

“With responsible gambling, we’ve sometimes got a pretty hard job to do. Responsible gaming campaigns can become a wallpaper for all sorts of accusations that they are simply marketing.

That’s why we need to be more creative. We’re committed to creating more interactive RG content that isn’t just a boiler plate and actually drives engagement with players.”

Garett also delved into how Allwyn is using its cross-market focus to build a global safety standard, leveraging its in-house experts across European markets – from Greece with OPAP to Austria with Austrian Lotteries.

She promised to publicly discuss the Player Protection Lab in more detail when she attends SBC Summit Lisbon, which takes place between 16 to 19 September.