Flutter Entertainment announced Wednesday that Alpha Hub, its startup partnership program, is seeking early-stage companies “to help tackle societal challenges and safer gambling innovations.”
The Flutter Tech4Good Award and the Flutter & RGC: Play Well Challenge have both been designed as part of Flutter’s Positive Impact Plan with a particular focus on responsible gambling and community support, the company noted in a release.
The Tech4Good Award aims to highlight how technology can be used to address pressing social issues. For its part, the Play Well Challenge, in partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council, aims to solve real-world problems for the industry in collaboration with startups as part of a strategy to create a safer gambling environment.
Among its goals, the company says it aims to have a positive impact on communities and improve the lives of 10 million people by the end of 2030 through sport, play, and its colleagues’ skills.
A second goal is to help customers to “Play Well.” Under this initiative, Flutter works towards a goal to have 75% of active online customers using Play Well tools (e.g. deposit limits, activity statements) by 2030 and over 50% by 2026.
Flutter Entertainment CIO Conor Lynch said: “The Flutter Tech4Good Award and Play Well Challenge align our expertise in technology with the ambitious targets set out within our Positive Impact Plan.
“As part of this, we want to utilise our global scale and in-house talent to support the innovative startups that are developing technology that enhances consumer protection and drives positive change in the communities in which we operate.”
The Flutter Tech4Good Award seeks startups at any stage from around the world that are using technology to address social issues. The company said it is particularly interested in startups that are meeting needs of disadvantaged groups and have “a clear plan to scale and the ability to measure the impact of their solution.”
As for the Play Well Challenge, it comes as the company seeks to gain insights from better systems, technology, and research. This challenge is seeking entrepreneurs and startups committed to creating “a better customer experience for everyone, addressing Responsible Gaming challenges that will help us lead progress across the industry.”
Responsible Gambling Council CEO Shelley White said: “RGC is proud to collaborate with Flutter on this important programme to minimize harms related to gambling.
“The Flutter & RGC Play Well Challenge has the ability to drive real change in Responsible Gambling, globally, and ultimately create a safer gambling experience for millions of people.”
Startups looking to get involved in either of these programs can visit: The Tech4Good x Alpha Hub Award (applications close on 18th August 2023) and Flutter & RGC: Play Well Challenge (applications close on 8th September 2023).
