With the increasing concerns about global climate change and the growing realization that the environment is rapidly being destroyed by our actions, individuals and businesses have finally begun to take action.
Much of the discussion regarding fighting climate change focuses on the steps individuals and families can take to reduce their impact on the environment, such as using public transport and recycling more. While these steps do help, the reality is that businesses are the biggest contributors to pollution and climate change, and they are the ones who need to make major changes.
Tech industries aren’t traditional polluters, but they do consume huge amounts of electricity and other fuels. In order to combat this, many have begun to invest in sustainability initiatives within their communities. iGaming platforms have done a good job of this, and some are becoming industry leaders.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the positive examples that illustrate how iGaming platforms are contributing to their local communities through sustainability initiatives.
New Zealand as a case study
SkyCity is one of the leading examples of an iGaming company choosing to invest in their local community. They have long been one of New Zealand’s top casinos, both land-based and online. In recent years, they have taken steps to give back to the community that has made them so successful.
SkyCity’s support for local initiatives mainly focuses on sustainability. The two major local initiatives they contribute to are Sustainable Coastlines and Million Metres Streams Project. Sustainable Coastlines is a charity devoted to restoring the country’s waterways. The Million Metres Streams Project is an organization that restores rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands around the country.
SkyCity does this work by donating funds and by supporting the activities hosted or organized by these groups. The combination of monetary and active support does more than just assist in these important efforts, as it also shows the local community that the company cares about the local area.
IGT – Industry leader
International Game Technology (IGT) is one of the leading gaming companies in the world. Since 1990, they have been building and developing gaming technology for land-based and online casinos. They have managed to grow and develop as the industry has changed. Part of this responsiveness is why they’ve also become a leader in making the company more sustainable.
IGT has based its initiatives and actions as a company on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. They have adopted nine of the 17 goals set out by the UN. These goals all contribute towards improving the world and life for every person. Some of the IGT initiatives are focused on improving conditions for their own workforce while others focus on global sustainability work.
Their sustainability initiatives are geared towards improving the lives of their employees on the local level and to improving the environment on the global level. In terms of climate sustainability, their work has been focused on decarbonization. Following the goals established by the Science Based Targets Initiative, they have plans to steadily reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Their work has been recognized by bodies in the iGaming industry and beyond, including the European Casino Awards, the World Lottery Association and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
What iGaming platforms can do
There are many options for iGaming platforms that are interested in improving their local communities by engaging in sustainability initiatives. The particular initiatives that are most important will vary by location and should be chosen through careful research and by reaching out to existing organizations and local governments for advice.
Working with existing organizations and charities is the best course of action because they already have an established place in the community and know what work needs to be done. There are plenty of small local environmental charities that are doing important work but lack the financial resources to have a greater impact. This is where the funding from iGaming platforms could be most useful.
The other important step that iGaming platforms need to take in their local communities is to invest in sustainable alternative energy. iGaming platforms use huge amounts of electricity, so reducing that consumption or making it carbon neutral can have the biggest impact.
Final thoughts
The steps being taken by these iGaming platforms are a very good start and show that more companies are taking their role in climate change more seriously. With luck, more companies will follow their example and we can begin to undo some of the damage we’ve already done to the planet before it’s too late.
