Sportsbook and DFS operator DraftKings Inc has made a financial commitment to a new initiative launched by the International Center for Responsible Gaming which will focus on promoting responsible gaming in the sports betting sector.
The Fund to Support Research on Sports Wagering aims to generate peer-reviewed, scientifically based research that contributes to the understanding and application of responsible gaming in the industry.
As a result of DraftKings’ contribution, the ICRG said it will now be able to proceed with a competitive request for applications from researchers around the world who are interested in pursuing groundbreaking research on problem gambling.
Jason Robins, DraftKings’ Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, explained: “The cornerstone of our commitment to customers is providing an enjoyable sports betting and gaming experience, and we recognize that we have a responsibility to ensure that customers are playing safely.
“We are pleased to support the critical mission of the International Center for Responsible Gaming and fund important research that will drive responsible gaming innovation and customer safety forward for the entire industry.”
A first-of-its-kind trust in the US, the ICRG created the Fund to advance innovation and best practices for responsible sports betting. The Fund is accepting applications by researchers interested in exploring the below topics and others related to responsible sports betting:
“We are incredibly honored to have DraftKings’ financial support, which was instrumental in satisfying our funding needs for the Fund to Support Research on Sports Wagering,” said Dr Russell Sanna, ICRG Executive Director.
“With the expansion of sports betting across the United States, public health research will be critical in better understanding problem gaming, and we are deeply appreciative of the support from DraftKings to fund research that is cutting-edge and can be utilized across the industry and by consumers.”
DraftKings’ responsible gaming mission is to mitigate harm and protect vulnerable populations by providing game-changing technology, training, and resources for employees and consumers, and by supporting evidence-based research.
In addition to working collaboratively with leaders in responsible gaming like the ICRG, the firm tailors its products across fantasy sports, sports wagering, and igaming to provide customers with industry-leading responsible gaming tools, resources, and services they need to play responsibly.
These practices include limit setting, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion from offerings. The company also uses its own channels, including email and social media, to regularly remind customers of responsible gaming behaviors. The operator is also a Platinum Member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and a member of the American Gaming Association.
Researchers from top-tier academic institutions may compete for funding to discover new insights concerning public health and sports betting, with applications opening this summer and concluding September 2021. Grant applications will be peer-reviewed prior to the ICRG independent Scientific Advisory Board selecting the final recipient.
The selected recipient will be announced in September 2021 and receive funds for a three-year project ending in 2024, with the potential for their research to be published earlier in the three-year period. The research fund is open to US-based or international public, private, or non-profit organizations.
To learn more about the Fund, visit icrg.org/research-center/apply-icrg-funding.
