SGC 2020

Collaborate to Innovate

The theme for 2020 was ‘Collaborate to Innovate’, which focused on how the online gambling industry can take advantage of technological advancements to build a more sustainable industry.

Speakers

The conference was divided into two parts: the first part of the day consisted of panel discussions and keynote speakers, while the second part was divided into twelve breakout sessions.

Panel 1’s theme was AI for Good – how can the industry take advantage of future tech to ensure sustainable consumption? During the panel Göran Lindsjö, a global expert and advisor on AI shared his view on how AI can be used as a tool for a more sustainable gambling industry. The key takeaway from the panel discussion was that AI can be used to intervene in problem gambling, but nothing beats human interaction. Chris Eade from Zafty Intelligence took the virtual stage in the morning, explaining how AI can be used to maintain control of gambling and showcased Zafty’s new app. Financially supported by Kindred Group, the app uses AI to try and understand patterns of problem gambling behaviour, and in turn, will help the operators mitigate potentially problematic situations. Players, after downloading the app, will have several optional tools, such as a timer, daily-limit setting, etc., that will help them stay in control.

In the second panel, regulators from France, Malta and Sweden shared their perspectives and challenges from a regulators' point of view. They were unanimous in the potential they see in data usage and AI. However, they also pointed out that they currently do not have the right expertise, or the authority to maximise data and AI’s capabilities for problem gambling prevention. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President at L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France, stated that the operators with a license should have an advantage - operators playing by the rules should not be punished.

Key Insights

Artificial Intelligence, AI, can be used to intervene problem gambling, but it has to be combined with human interaction. AI is about personalization – which type of intervention and tools works for each player. AI will help to gain insights which in turn will help find new indicators allowing for an earlier detection.

By being transparent with the processing of personal data a company can gain trust from its customers.

All participants agreed that the way forward is for operators to educate their players about responsible gambling. Operators already use AI to quite a large extent, but this needs to be more disclosed than it is today, and insights should also be shared within the industry. The collaboration between industry’s stakeholder should continue and everyone should pull towards the same goal to get the best effect.