Focal Points Newsletter - December 2024
In this issue of Focal Points:
Read time: 4 minutes
Hello,
From new research to award-winning innovations, 2024 has been a transformative year.
Together, we’ve advanced safer gambling, built stronger partnerships, hired new team members, and celebrated significant milestones.
You can see all the highlights below, but first, an exciting announcement we would like to share!
On the research front, we have been leading new research around continuous play to understand who engages in long sessions and why players take fewer breaks.
Given the practical implications of these findings for timing and tailoring safer gambling messaging with at-risk players, Focal’s research team is working with leading researchers at the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute to validate and publish these findings in a series of peer-reviewed papers in the new year. Stay tuned!
Generating New Knowledge at the European Association for the Study of Gambling Conference
Tracy unveiled, “It’s all about the money: decoding why players engage in long sessions without breaks.”
Melissa challenged, “Is There a ‘Right Time’ to Interact with Players Based on How Long They Play?”
Rethinking Customer Interactions at New Horizons
Melissa participated in two panels at BCLC’s New Horizons Conference with other industry experts to discuss “Sustaining Customer Interactions” and “Putting Insights into Action.”
Using Player Data to Support Regulatory Innovation
Tony addressed the,”Use of Player Data to Support Safer Gambling” at the 2024 IAGR/IMGL conference in Rome and then further contributed to an expert panel on Responsible Gambling Programs and the Use of Player Data.
The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) won the IAGR Regulatory Innovation Award for their “Markers of Risk” initiative at the IAGR/IMGL conference, a project supported by Focal Research.
Pictured: Michel Groothuizen, Ksa
Safer Interactions without Visible Signs of Harm
Jay led an interactive workshop on engaging with players without visible harm indicators at the National Association for Gambling Studies Conference in AU.
Sharing New Research with Industry Stakeholders
Tony and Melissa shared our latest timebound research on continuous play and regulatory oversight virtually to a jam-packed room of attendees.
A Step Into the Past to Address Future Challenges
Sonja and Linda took part in the panel discussion: 25 Years since the first Australian Productivity Commission Report at NAGS. The plenary discussion drew on experts who have been through PC reviews to identify what has been done well and hasn’t been done well in Australia and the challenges and next steps needed to address key deficiencies.
Here's a look at all the Memorable Moments of 2024
What's in Store for 2025...
We will again be presenting at several global events in the new year.
One highlight is Tracy, Jay and Linda’s presentations at Regulating the Game in Sydney, March 10th-13th alongside other key industry stakeholders. This esteemed event promotes dialogue and collaboration and sparks regulatory compliance, excellence, innovation and ethical leadership.
Jay and Tracy will be sharing our latest offerings at the Regulating the Games “Pitch!” marking our second year in attendance.
Jay and Tracy present a fireside chat at last years Pitch! at Regulating the Game.
Last but certainly not least we’re about to trial our mobile app, ALeRT GO, to make interactions smoother than ever and we are unveiling a new digital safer gambling resource site for our valued clients.
Most importantly, we are enhancing our safer gambling system with a new comprehensive design for exceptional functionality and a better user experience for staff and management.
At this time of year, we want to acknowledge your commitment, innovation, enthusiasm and hard work.
In our collaborations, we continue to expand our knowledge, create new approaches to engaging with people who gamble, and care for our communities.
We hope you take some time to recharge and savour your efforts this holiday season, wishing you all the best in the new year!
Happy Holidays,
The Focal Team
