Allwyn announces inaugural Player Protection Lab funding awards to drive new player safety research

Allwyn has announced the inaugural recipients of the Allwyn Player Protection Lab award, a global responsible gaming initiative aimed at supporting innovative research to advance player safety. The two winning research projects will receive up to €100,000 in funding.

Following a thorough selection process, Allwyn’s global Responsible Gaming Department identified two stand out applicants, renowned academic Dr. Michael Auer and internationally respected Newton University. Their projects will support Allwyn’s ongoing evolution of effective, evidence-based approaches to advance responsible gaming.

Safe play is a crucial pillar of the global gaming industry and Allwyn strives to be at the forefront of the latest in responsible gaming. The Player Protection Lab is one of the most significant commitments Allwyn has made to developing new, independent player safety research.

The Player Protection Lab launched in September 2025 as a global responsible gaming initiative designed to fund academics and experts pursuing new approaches to player safety. Applicants were invited to submit proposals across three key areas: digital innovation, using messaging to drive positive play, and developing effective safety tools.

Dr. Michael Auer’s project aims to improve player protection by testing personalised messages that encourage safer gambling behaviour. Dr. Auer is a psychologist and statistician specialising in data-driven player protection. His study will combine real-world player data with self-reported insights to test various messages at key moments and measure their impact on behaviours such as spending, limit setting, and taking breaks. Newton University, one of the leading education institutions in the Czech Republic, will develop a Safe Gambling Assessment Tool (SGAT) tailored to Generation Z’s digital behaviours to improve responsible gaming. The study focuses on understanding how younger players engage differently with online versus offline gambling, particularly in areas such as self-control, limit-setting, and attitudes toward risk.

Allwyn CEO Robert Chvátal said: “Player protection is core to what we do and are committed to making play better for all wherever we operate. We already meet Level 4 of the World Lottery Association's responsible gaming framework, the highest level of accreditation available. To make sure we remain at the forefront of player safety we created the Allwyn Player Protection Lab to enable insight, technology and innovation to come together to deliver proactive initiatives. The award aims to fund research that identifies novel solutions and tools that enhance safe play. I am very pleased to recognise Dr. Auer and Newton University as the inaugural recipients of this award and look forward to the important direction their research will take Allwyn and the industry overall.”

Dr. Michael Auer said: “I am very happy that Allwyn is trusting me with such a prestigious research project. Over the last 15 years I have published dozens of academic papers and one crucial learning is that real-world data is crucial for the understanding of behaviour and the impact of Responsible Gaming measures. This research project will focus on the analysis of player interaction and the improvement of Responsible Gaming tools. Not only will Allwyn's players benefit from the results but also the wider gaming industry through the accompanying peer-reviewed academic publication.”

Petr Zimčík, PhD, project lead at Newton University said: “We are delighted to receive the Allwyn Player Protection Lab award. The significant funding will enable Newton University to bring our higher education research expertise to a project that connects academia with real-world data and practical experience. Our aim is to develop a deeper understanding of young adults’ attitudes, perceptions and behaviours, exploring how Generation Z understands risk and responsible play. We hope the research will provide valuable insights and contribute to even more effective approaches in this important area.”

It is anticipated that both projects will be completed by September 2027.

ENDS

Allwyn Group Press Office
[email protected]

NOTES

About Allwyn

Allwyn is a multi-national gaming entertainment company, lottery-led and with leading market positions and trusted brands across Europe and North America, listed on Euronext Athens. Its purpose is to make play better for all by focusing on innovation, technology, player safety and returning more to good causes across a growing casual gaming entertainment portfolio. Allwyn operates to Level 4 of the World Lottery Association's (WLA) Responsible Gaming Framework, the highest level of accreditation available, recognising the company's commitment to player protection and responsible gaming standards.

About Michael Auer

Dr. Michael Auer has a PhD in Psychology from Nottingham Trent University and a Masters Degree in Statistics from the University of Vienna. He has been working in the area of Responsible Gaming since 2005. Dr. Auer has published more than 50 peer-reviewed studies and he is a frequent speaker at academic and industry conferences worldwide. His focus lies on data driven research applying Machine Learning and advanced statistics.

About Newton University

Newton University is one of the leading private higher education institutions in the Czech Republic specialising in business, management, economics, marketing and psychology. For more than 20 years it has combined academically grounded education and research with a strong practical focus, close cooperation with industry and an international outlook. Through its teaching, research and partnerships, Newton University aims to develop responsible and innovative leaders and generate practical insights that benefit business and society.