Industry News
Driving Ethical Transformation in iGaming: How Better World Casinos is Leading the Charge
This article is a short version of the full report on BetterWorldCasinos .com about reviewing UK gambling operators on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. The full version of the article can be found here.
By Floris Assies, founder & CEO of Better World Casinos (BWC).
The global iGaming industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, offering a wealth of entertainment options to millions of players. However, as with any booming industry, there are underlying challenges that must be addressed. At Better World Casinos, we believe that the industry must evolve to become not only profitable but also ethical, transparent, and sustainable. Our mission is to guide players towards online gambling brands that are committed to these values, thereby driving positive change across the sector.
The Importance of ESG in iGaming
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become crucial indicators of a company’s ethical standing and long-term sustainability. In industries like iGaming, where the balance between profit and responsibility is delicate, ESG metrics are vital. At BWC, we embarked on a comprehensive review of 21 leading casino and sportsbook operators to assess their ESG performance. Our goal is to provide players with clear, reliable information on which brands are committed to ethical practices and which fall short.
Key Findings from Our ESG Assessment
Our research focused on four critical areas:
Transparency: We examined how openly companies disclose their ownership, operations, and ESG efforts. Transparency is foundational to accountability. Our findings revealed a significant divide between publicly traded and privately held companies, which was expected.. Public companies, due to regulatory requirements, generally scored higher on transparency whereas most private companies offered minimal information.
ESG Plans and Reporting: We evaluated the presence and quality of ESG plans among the companies looking at responsible gaming specifically, and at general environmental, social and governmental factors. While many companies made statements about responsible gambling and sustainability, only a few provided concrete data or set measurable goals.
Compliance: Compliance with regulations, in areas like marketing, privacy, security , Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and player protection, is non-negotiable. Our research found that all companies had faced some form of regulatory action in the past, with varying degrees of severity. This highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing profitability with legal and ethical obligations.
Third-Party Data: To gain a broader perspective, we also considered third-party ratings from sources like Glassdoor and CSRHub. While these sources offered valuable insights, we found that they sometimes lacked consistency or depth. Nevertheless, CSRHub’s data provided a useful benchmark, particularly for companies that were otherwise difficult to evaluate.
Promoting Ethical Brands
After months of research, BWC identified 10 out of the original 21 companies that met our minimum standards for transparency, ESG performance, and compliance. These companies will be featured on our platform, where players can learn more about their commitment to responsible gambling, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
However, our work doesn’t stop here. We are committed to continuously refining our assessment methods and expanding our research to include more operators and go into more depth. Our aim is to set a benchmark for ethical practices in the iGaming industry and to hold companies accountable for their actions.
The Role of Players in Driving Change
A key motivator for our research is the power of the player. In an industry where the user experience is often homogeneous—most casinos offer the same games, payment methods, and bonuses—players can make a real difference by choosing to support brands that align with their values. By selecting operators that prioritise ESG factors, players can help push the industry towards more ethical and sustainable practices.
The Future of Better World Casinos
At Better World Casinos, we are just getting started. Our vision is to become the leading resource for players who want to make informed decisions about where they gamble. We plan to collaborate with industry experts to develop more sophisticated ESG assessment tools and to continue advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the industry.
As we move forward, we will focus on key areas such as responsible gambling, environmental impact, and governance practices. By shining a light on both exemplary practices and areas in need of improvement, we hope to foster a more responsible and conscientious iGaming industry.
The iGaming industry stands at a crossroads. As it continues to grow, so too must its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Better World Casinos is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. By empowering players with the information they need to make responsible choices, we are helping to build a better future for the industry and its millions of customers worldwide.
Industry News
Applications invited to become safer gambling charity for 2025 editions of ICE, iGB Affiliate and iGB L!VE
Safer gambling organisations from throughout the world are being invited to apply to become Clarion Gaming’s official charity partner for 2024/25.
The successful charity will benefit from unprecedented levels of interest in the Clarion Gaming brands with the 2025 editions of ICE (20th – 22nd January) and iGB Affiliate (20th – 23rd January) making the historic move to the Fira Gran Via Barcelona and iGB L!VE taking place at ExCeL London (1st– 4th July).
Interested organisations, who will benefit from unrivalled branding and networking opportunities at three of gambling’s most dynamic live events are being asked to provide an overview of how they would deploy the partnership to help address specific challenges together with their mission and vision for the future.
Clarion Gaming has set a deadline of 30th September for the receipt of applications with the partnership becoming effective in October and running through to 1st August 2025.
Stuart Hunter, Managing Director, Clarion Gaming said: “I’m extremely proud of the fact that Clarion Gaming was the first expo organiser to introduce an annual charity partner program, an initiative which followed our ground-breaking incorporation of a show floor feature exclusively for safer gambling. The Consumer Protection Zone which launched at ICE 2018 has grown and evolved year-on-year.
“In keeping with the very latest thinking on safer gambling the concept has been rebranded as the Sustainable Gambling Zone and will have a high profile presence at both ICE Barcelona and iGB L!VE London.”
He added: “The partnership with Clarion Gaming will see the successful charity confirmed as an ICE Ambassador, receive widespread branding at the 2025 editions of ICE, iGB Affiliate London and iGB L!VE, be part of the official opening ceremonies for each event, receive recognition in Show Guides and on the dedicated event websites, attend as guests at the many VIP networking events, have fundraising visibility including an advertising presence in the ICE Show Daily newspaper and profiling in our extensive pre-show PR and comms campaigns.”
Organisations wishing to apply to become the third Clarion Gaming Charity Partner following in the footsteps of YGAM and the International Center For Responsible Gaming should visit icegaming.com/
Industry News
BlueOcean Gaming Wins Best Aggregator 2024 Award at SiGMA East Europe Awards
BlueOcean Gaming has announced that its leading product, GameHub, has won the Best Aggregator 2024 Award at SiGMA East Europe Awards.
“This recognition is a significant milestone for BlueOcean Gaming, highlighting the strength and innovation of GameHub—our leading game aggregation platform. GameHub has set a new standard in the iGaming industry by seamlessly integrating over 140 providers and offering a vast library of more than 13,000 games, including slots, live casino games, virtual sports, and sportsbooks,” the Company said.
“A heartfelt thank you goes out to SiGMA World for acknowledging the hard work and dedication that has gone into making GameHub a standout product. The SiGMA East Europe Awards shines a spotlight on the most impactful projects and the visionaries driving change across the gaming industry, and we are incredibly honored to be a part of this movement.
“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing partners and clients, whose trust motivates us to continuously innovate. Most importantly, a huge round of applause goes to the entire BlueOcean Gaming team. Your dedication and passion for delivering top-tier, trustworthy solutions are the driving force behind this success.
“As we celebrate this incredible win, let this award be a source of inspiration, pushing us to aim even higher, continue our journey of innovation, and reach greater heights in the iGaming industry.
“We look forward to what’s ahead and to continue providing our partners and clients with the best solutions available in the market.”
Industry News
CT Interactive to Showcase Latest Solutions at SBC Summit in Lisbon
CT Interactive, a renowned provider of online gaming solutions, is set to exhibit at this year’s SBC Summit in Lisbon, which will take place from 24 to 26 September at the FIL Exhibition Centre. As part of its presence at the premier industry event, CT Interactive will have an exclusive stand where the company will showcase its latest products.
The SBC Summit brings together leaders from the iGaming industry to explore the most significant market trends and developments. CT Interactive’s stand #A230 will feature a live demonstration of its latest gaming portfolio, including its most recent game releases and customisable solutions that cater to operators’ needs. The company’s team of experts will be on hand to explain how it’s portfolio can help operators boost player engagement and retention.
“We are thrilled to be part of the SBC Summit this year. This event is an excellent opportunity for us to connect with potential partners and showcase our latest innovations, games and bonus mechanics which give the players more control and enhance the overall player experience and winning opportunities. We are excited to present our solutions to both core and new clients, highlighting our dedication to delivering engaging and forward-thinking products on the market,” said Monika Zlateva, CCO of CT Interactive.
Visitors to CT Interactive’s stand will also have the chance to explore the company’s advanced gaming features, such as jackpots, free spins and bonus tools. Additionally, the company will unveil its new strategic partnership with GameWorkz, a provider of social gaming solutions that will present its solutions on CT Interactive’s stand at the show. GameWorkz offers a player management platform where clients can integrate various components, including third-party services and proprietary technology utilising a fully functioning social gaming product complete with gamification tools and a loyalty programme designed to meet the needs and expectations of social players.
“With our participation in SBC Lisbon, we aim to reinforce our position as a global leader in online gaming, forging new partnerships and expanding influence within the rapidly evolving industry,” said Antonio Donov, Senior Business Development Manager EMEA and Asia.
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