DraftKings Inc has published its 2021 Sustainability Report, offering insights into the sportsbook’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Commenting on the report, Jason Robins, the company’s Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, noted that 2021 was a ‘tremendous year’ for the business and its commitment to its ESG goals.
DraftKings specified the following key issues in its Sustainability Report: Responsible Gaming; People & Community; Inclusion, Equity & Belonging; Employee Engagement, Wellness & Development; Community Involvement and DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S.; Environmental Stewardship; Cybersecurity & Data Privacy; and Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance.
The firm collected insights from its shareholders, employees, and special advisors to the Board and CEO for its report, as well as assessments from ESG rating agencies and guidance from ESG frameworks such as the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board Standards and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
“2021 was a tremendous year for DraftKings as a business and the accomplishments we achieved were underpinned by our ongoing commitment to environmental, social, and governance initiatives,” commented Robins.
“Our long-term success is sustained by our attentiveness to all our stakeholders, including our employees, customers, shareholders, and the communities we are a part of across the globe. We recognize that our ESG journey is a constant evolution and remain focused on making advances in these areas on an ongoing basis.”
Some of the work highlighted in DraftKings’ 2021 Sustainability Report include its environmental sustainability efforts; backing initiatives that support its S.E.R.V.E.S. goals to create inclusive and responsible pathways for people to build, create, imagine, and innovate; and further investment in evidence-based research on responsible gaming.
For environmental sustainability, the firm financed the planting of 1 million trees in coordination with the Arbor Day Foundation, with tree plantings in the US estimated to contribute to more than 667,000 metric tons of carbon avoided and sequestered, 2,800 tons of air pollution avoided and removed, and 699 million gallons of runoff avoided.
Backing initiatives that support its S.E.R.V.E.S. goals, DraftKings donated nearly $4m to local, national, and international charities; provided high-tech skills training to 200+ veterans and military spouses for free via its Tech for Heroes program; and raised funds for natural disaster relief efforts and breast cancer research.
Some of the research projects that received funding as part of the sportsbook’s investment into responsible gaming include the International Center for Responsible Gaming’s inaugural research on US sports betting, the Kindbridge Research Institute’s seminal research initiative, the 50×4 Vets Project (which studies military veterans impacted by problem gaming), and US state problem gambling councils and affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To read DraftKings’ 2021 Sustainability Report, click here.
