Safer gambling: An honest conversation

After two years of digital formats, this year combined a live event in Amsterdam with livestreaming to reach a wider audience. This year’s theme, “Safer gambling: An honest conversation”, recognised the need to invite a vast array of perspectives from the industry and beyond to drive sustainable development. We addressed essential issues among them:

  • How can we use responsible gambling research and technology?
  • How do we best combat harmful gambling behaviour?
  • How can we utilise data sharing despite challenges?
  • What’s the industry’s role in sports integrity?

Summary of 2022

Summary of 2022

Highlights

There is continued consensus that collaboration within the industry to find joint solutions is the way forward. There is a strong willingness among peers to enhance cooperation efforts in order to facilitate the detection of harmful gambling behaviour.

Knowledge sharing and education can serve as an integral element in supporting customers to make more informed decisions and propel sustainable habits. Discussions during the conference demonstrated a broad consensus among participants that customers should be provided with more information as well as tools to encourage self-reflection and responsible gambling behaviours.

Taking responsibility requires seeking out the conversation. Initiating a dialogue with key stakeholders is an essential instrument for the gambling industry to promote transparency and take on a more educational responsibility. Issues like match fixing and its underlying problems requires the entire industry’s full dedication by communicating its responsibilities and commitments through for example marketing campaigns.

We were glad to combine in-person and digital streaming of the SGC 2022 to continue in the spirit of collaboration and inquisitive discussions. Moving forward, we are determined to continue the work to drive action and tangible results.

Selection of key takeaways

Utilising the opportunities for connection and discussion that comes with meeting in person, this year’s conference combined knowledge-sharing and interaction on several levels. Here are some of the main takeaways:

  • Taking responsibility means seeking out the conversation
    An honest conversation starts with operators addressing problems and finding solutions. Operators, regulators, and affiliates all need to beware of their impact and align with each other to develop coherent practices and policies. Transparency is essential for collaboration – whether it be among operators or between the industry and other prioritised stakeholders such as affiliates or regulators.
  • Collaboration and finding joint solutions are the ways forward
    Partnerships and connections inside and outside the industry are crucial. A key factor for driving change is successfully combining research, technological solutions, and stakeholder dialogue to find best practice. That also includes responsible use of data that ensures privacy. Working to improve the industry’s reputation by showing real results is an integral part of combating misconceptions and in promoting a more constructive dialogue.
  • Reducing harmful gambling is the long-term solution to enabling everyday entertainment that contributes positively to society.
    Building trust for gambling as a source of entertainment that contributes positively to society means addressing the issues. Participants and panellists alike found that the industry’s profitability, even its very existence, is contingent on becoming sustainable.

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Event Videos

Agenda – Safer Gambling: An honest conversation

08:45

Registration and welcome coffee

09:30
Anouschka Laheij

Welcome

Anouschka Laheij, moderator

09:35
Henrik Tjärnström
Harinder Gill
Hans Lord Skarplöth
Johan Törnqvist
Anouschka Laheij

Opening panel

Henrik Tjärnström, CEO Kindred Group; Harinder Gill, CRO 888; Hans Lord Skarplöth, CEO ATG, Johan Törnqvist, CEO Play’n GO. Moderator: Anouschka Laheij.

09:55
Maarten Haijer

Towards a stronger culture of safer gambling in Europe

Maarten Haijer, General Secretary European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)

10:10
Johann Hari

Stolen focus – Why can’t I pay attention

Johann Hari, writer and journalist

10:35
Johann Hari
Karim Chikh
Trung Huynh
Anouschka Laheij

Ethical use of data

Panel discussion: Johann Hari, writer and journalist; Karim Chikh, Head of Legal and Compliance Analytics; Matthias Dobbelaere, Director Ministry of Privacy; Trung Huynh, CEO and CTO Actable AI. Moderator: Anouschka Laheij.

11:05

Coffee break

Responsible gambling research and technology

11:20
Dr Jonathan Parke

Using real gambling behaviour to understand product risk: Exploring the impacts of reward characteristics on real online slot play

Dr. Jonathan Parke, Director Sophro Ltd

11:40
Dr. Mark Griffiths

Gambling and gaming addictions: Two sides of the same coin?:

Dr. Mark D. Griffiths, Professor Nottingham Trent University

12:00
Anna Westh Stenbro
Jesper Jarl Becker

“If you don’t gamble, you’re not really part of the group” – Gambling as a social and increasingly normalized phenomenon among young people in Denmark

Anna Westh Stenbro, Clinical psychologist and researcher, Research Clinic on Gambling Disorder, Aarhus University Hospital and Jesper Jarl Becker, Producer and Founding Partner, Sweet & Savoury Film Company

12:20
Melissa Etherington

Enhancing Self-Exclusion & New Gamban Features

Melissa Etherington, Vice President of Partnerships at Gamban.

Partnering for change

11:20
Hubert Rovers

Fair Sport 4 All

Hubert Rovers, CEO the European Football for Development Network

11:40
Mats Enquist

Sustainable sponsorships

Mats Enqvist, CEO and General Secretary Svensk Elitfotboll (Swedish professional football leagues)

12:00
Brendan Dowell

Want cyber resilience? Master the fundamentals

Brendan Dowell, Director of Security Kindred Group

12:20

Equality and diversity in sports and sports betting

Christina Thakor-Rankin, Principal Consultant, 1710Gaming Ltd

12:40

Lunch

13:45
Justin Franssen
Peter-Paul de Goeij
Rasmus Kjaergaard
Anouschka Laheij

Realising the ambition of a single-customer view – challenges and opportunities?

Justin Franssen, Kalff Katz & Franssen; Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA); Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO MIndway AI. Moderator: Anouschka Laheij

14:15

Single-customer view – what’s your view?

Table discussions

14:50

Coffee break

15:05
Silvia Paleari
Mats Enquist
Anouschka Laheij

Collaborating for integrity in sports

Silvia Paleari, Director of Public Affairs The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA); Mats Enquist CEO SEF (Swedish professional football leagues); Evgeniy Levchenko, Chairman VVCS. Moderator: Anoushcka Laheij.

15:30

Integrity in sports – what’s the industry’s role?

Table discussions

16:05
Craig Cornforth
Feite Hofman
Claire Donegan
Matt Smith
Dr Maris Catania

Using lived experience to inform responsible gambling practices

Panel discussion: Craig Cornforth, Harm Prevention Manager EPIC; Feite Hofman, Addiction expert; Claire Donegan, Founder and CEO of THRIVE Recovery; Matt Smith, Head of External Affairs Betknowmore. Moderator: Maris Catania, Head of Responsible Gambling and Research Kindred Group.

16:30
Henrik Tjärnström
Pontus Lindwall
Arno de Jong
Charles Lantieri
Anouschka Laheij

Looking ahead – what solutions do we need for a more sustainable industry?

Henrik Tjärnström, CEO Kindred Group; Pontus Lindwall, CEO Betsson, Arno de Jong, Nederlandse Loterij; Charles Lantieri, Deputy CEO Française des Jeux. Moderator: Anousckha Lahei.

16:55

Network & mingle in the Skybar

18:00

End of programme

Speakers

Karim Chikh

Head of Legal and Compliance analytics

Kindred Group

Johann Hari

Author of three New York Times best-selling books

Mats Enquist

General Secretary, CEO

Svensk Elitfotboll (Swedish Football League)

Henrik Tjärnström

Chief Executive Officer

Kindred Group

Anna Westh Stenbro

Clinical psychologist and researcher

the Research Clinic on Gambling Disorder, Aarhus University Hospital.

Dr. Mark Griffiths

Chartered Psychologist and Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at the Nottingham Trent University Dr

Anouschka Laheij

Moderator

Dr Jonathan Parke

Director

Sophro LTD

Brendan Dowell

Director of Security

Kindred Group

Silvia Paleari

Director of Public Affairs

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)

Maris Catania

Head of Responsible Gaming and Research

Kindred Group

Hans Lord Skarplöth

CEO

ATG

Matt Smith

Head of External Affairs

Betknowmore

Maarten Haijer

Secretary General

European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)

Jesper Jarl Becker

Producer & founding partner

Sweet & Savoury Film Company ApS

Pontus Lindwall

CEO

Betsson AB

Charles Lantieri

Deputy CEO

Française des Jeux

Hubert Rovers

Founder of EFDN and is an international CSR and football for development consultant

Claire Donegan

Founder and CEO

THRIVE Recovery

Feite Hofman

Addiction expert

Harinder Gill

Chief Risk Officer

888 William Hill

Peter-Paul de Goeij

Managing Director

Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA)

Melissa Etherington

Vice President of Partnerships at Gamban

Johan Törnqvist

Chief Executive Officer

Play’n GO

Craig Cornforth

Harm Prevention Manager

EPIC

Arno de Jong

Chief Marketing Officer

Nederlandse Loterij

Rasmus Kjaergaard

Chief Executive Officer

Mindway AI

Trung Huynh

Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer

Actable AI

Tom Banks

Head of Corporate Affairs UK/Global

Kindred Group

Justin Franssen

Attorney at law and partner

Kalff Katz & Franssen

About the Sustainable Gambling Conference

The Sustainable Gambling Conference (SGC) is a leading annual event that brings together stakeholders from across the gambling ecosystem – including operators, regulators, researchers, treatment providers, and individuals with lived gambling addiction experience – to foster collaboration and drive innovation in safer gambling practices. Established by FDJ UNITED, the SGC serves as a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the development of sustainable strategies aimed at minimising gambling-related harm and promoting a safe experience.

Each year, the conference explores a central theme that reflects the evolving challenges and opportunities within the industry. Previous themes have included “Building Relevance” (2019), focusing on increasing the industry’s societal relevance; “Collaborate to Innovate” (2020), emphasising technological advancements for sustainability; and “Safer Gambling: A Look into the Future” (2024), which addressed topics like artificial intelligence, regulatory adaptation, and ethical considerations in the digital age.

The SGC has been hosted in various cities across Europe, underscoring its international reach and commitment to diverse perspectives. Notable locations include Copenhagen (2019), Amsterdam (2022), and London (2024). In 2025, the conference will convene in Brussels under the theme “Collaboration for Impact: Safer Gambling in a Changing World,” aiming to unite global experts to address emerging trends and reinforce collective efforts toward a more responsible gambling environment.

Through its inclusive and forward-thinking approach, the Sustainable Gambling Conference continues to be a catalyst for meaningful change, driving the industry toward greater transparency, accountability, and social responsibility.