The issue of player protection is never far from the headlines in the gambling industry media, but while the contributions of operators and regulators are regularly scrutinised, the role of the players themselves is rarely discussed.
The International Player Safety Index: Player Education report is designed to change that by providing an in-depth assessment of what the industry thinks about the issues of player education, Positive Play and players’ own level of responsibility. Commissioned by 1xBet and produced by SBC Media, it draws on anonymised insights from licensed operators and third sector organisations working in the research, education and treatment space.
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Why This Report Matters
Putting the player first
Political narratives about the online gambling industry have focused on prevention of harm, something that has put player protection high on the priority lists of both operators and regulators. However, for meaningful change to happen, players must be at the heart of all efforts to improve safety.
This report sets out to discover whether players have the knowledge and tools required to fulfil that central role and, if not, what steps the industry has to take to ensure its customers are better informed.
Among the topics it examines is the idea of Positive Play, how it should be defined and whether an approach that gives players greater agency in their decision making can help them to avoid harm.
Industry perspectives
The study captures candid, anonymised views from senior staff from operators around the world, as well as from charities and non-profits working in the gambling industry.
In doing so, it brings together experience and ideas from a range of perspectives, in order to give a comprehensive view of where the industry stands on player education and the wider role of players in encouraging safe, sustainable play.
Key Themes Explored
The report examines:
- Where responsibility for safe play behaviour lies
- Which player protection tools are most effective
- Whether consumers take advantage of player protection tools
- Whether current player education provision is effective
- The barriers to improving player education
- How to define Positive Play
- If players understand what Positive Play looks like
Explore the Full International Player Safety Index Series
The Player Education report forms part of the wider International Player Safety Index research programme.
The three previous editions in the series focused on the situation in Western Europe, Africa and Latin America, and provide valuable comparative insights into player protection standards across mature, emerging and transitional regulatory environments.
You can access all available editions directly via the form at the top of this page.
