Looking to publicize its existing CSR initiatives, GVC Holdings has launched a video detailing the ambitions of its non-profit organization GVC Foundation US.
With a particular focus on sports integrity and responsible gambling, the foundation is a proactive move by GVC in placing itself ‘ahead of the curve’ when it comes to CSR in the USA.
William Pascrell III, Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, stated: “I’ve represented GVC Holdings, which is the largest public gaming company in the world based out of the UK. They are the leaders and it’s very rare for a corporate entity to be ahead of the curve on social responsibility, gambling compliance, sports integrity and responsible gaming.
“In the UK responsible gaming was not addressed in a proactive way and the regulators are now coming hard down onto the industry without any industry input. That’s never a situation you want to be in. So this is a proactive way to not only protect the brand, but to try to be an innovator and a leader on an issue that we think is important as we are just getting into online gaming and sports betting in America.”
In addition to the launch of the Foundation last October, a $5.5m five-year partnership with the addiction division at the Harvard Medical School was also unveiled alongside a partnership with Seton Hall Law School. The latter will see the launch of a regulatory and compliance ‘boot camp’ in the field of gambling and hospitality that aims to educate professionals about the industry.
Martin Lycka, Director of Regulatory Affairs, GVC Holdings added: “It goes without saying that sports integrity is one of the key features of any gambling business because the link with sports is extremely close and it is in our interest to help sports governing bodies protect sports itself.
“We are a proud partner of a number of organizations in the US, one of them being the division on addiction of Harvard Medical School. In addition we are also a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and of course – last but definitely not least – we have also partnered with the Seton Hall Law School.”
In addition to its partnerships with Harvard Medical School and Seton Hall, it has also been revealed that Pascrell, along with former Super Bowl winning Wide Receiver Amani Toomer, have been commissioned through the foundation to go to 20 college campuses and educate the youth regarding the do’s and don’ts of sports betting.
The former New York Giants wide receiver concluded: “There is a need for what this GVC Foundation is going to do in society. There have been problems in other countries and we could learn from and be proactive and not let problem gambling become an issue here in this country as it becomes legal as it has been in other countries.”
