Entain Foundation inks RG-led esports partnership
Non-profit body targets video game sustainability amid wider focus on RG within new verticals
Entain’s non-profit charity arm the Entain Foundation has agreed new responsible gambling partnerships with organisations working within esports and video gaming.
New partners include the Counter-Strike Professional Players Association (CSPPA), Kindbridge and Rise Above The Disorder. The foundation has also agreed an expanded partnership with EPIC Risk Management.
The new partners will work internationally with Entain to provide mental health support services and education for players potentially at risk of harm.
The CSPPA is the worldwide association for professional players of the Counter-Strike videogame, which regularly features in esports events, while Rise Above The Disorder works with people in the US suffering from disorders connected to video gaming.
Kindbridge is a US-based mental health services organisation that provides access to online professional mental health counsellors and specialised support services.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives that encourage responsible gambling and gaming in every way we can,” Entain Foundation trustee Martin Lycka said.
“The vast majority of people playing for fun have no problems whatsoever, and we want to leverage our capabilities to offer them additional experiences whilst keeping all our customers safe.
“These new partnerships are initial steps in this and other new directions as we both expand our offer to customers and the protections we put in place to protect the very small number who may be at risk,” Lycka added.
In November, as part of its transition into its new Entain brand identity, the FTSE 100 operator announced a strategic shift with major changes to its approach concerning sustainability and regulated markets.
This included a five-pronged sustainability charter which also includes responsible gambling objectives, making RG a part of remuneration, pursuing high standards in corporate governance and investing in local communities.
To aid this, Entain launched the Advanced Responsibility and Care programme (ARC), which aims to use proprietary technology to enhance player protection through additional checks and improved monitoring.