ICE365.com launches gaming´s first Environmental, Social and Governance Study

This will take the form of a materiality assessment, a process used at company level to assess the importance of ESG features to a business, and expanded across the industry.

The survey mechanic, which is being hosted on ICE365.com, has been designed to help the industry understand the key risks and opportunities when it comes to implementing an effective sustainability strategy.

Robin Harrison, B2B editor for Clarion Gaming said some key players in the industry have already embraced the ESG philosophy. He explained: "This has seen issues such as environmentalism, diversity and inclusion grow in prominence alongside other key ESG factors such as player protection.”

"Furthermore, there is evidence that ESG is guiding investment decisions in the industry, so there is even more upside for businesses that embrace it."

Companies that have recognised their environmental impact include La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Kindred, both of which have introduced science-based emissions which are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s aim of net-zero emissions by 2030.

For Kindred this has included a commitment to sourcing all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2023. FDJ is also committed to limiting the impact of gaming materials on forest biodiversity by using 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified sources for their scratchcards.

In land-based gaming, Paul Gauselmann, founder and CEO of the Gauselmann Group, launched The ‘Trees for Life’ initiative whose core objective is to make a sustainable contribution to the climate by reforesting forests in Germany. Launched by Paul Gauselmann to mark his 85th birthday, the central goal of the project is to plant a total of 85,000 deciduous trees on reforestation areas so that new forests with a high degree of diversity can arise. To date over 50,000 trees have been planted. Similarly, the company’s UK subsidiary, MERKUR UK is supporting the National Trust’s Woodland Appeal which will see it fund the planting of 1,500 trees at the same time as spreading awareness of the work of the charity amongst staff, customers and the broader stakeholder community.

Laura Da Silva, director, DigitalRG.com said: "Every company needs to think beyond short-term profit in order to be sustainable in the long-term. This is one of the reasons why ESG issues are rising in importance. With pressure from media, regulators, investors, players or even their own employees, more companies are recognising the need to understand the impact that they have on all stakeholders - including the environment - and aim towards a net-positive impact."

She added: “In order to understand the key issues on which the industry needs to focus, business leaders can visit www.digitalrg.com/industry-materiality to complete a personalised materiality assessment.

"This will be used as part of the ICE365/ Digitalrg.com Materiality Matrix, which will provide the most accurate picture of the ESG elements that the gambling industry will be prioritising over the next 12-months."

All information collected through the materiality assessment will be strictly confidential, and only used to compile the industry-wide Materiality Matrix.