Data experts at multinational professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have been commissioned by the gaming industry-funded Responsible Gaming Trust (RGT) for a research project designed to examine remote gambling behavior.

After a “rigorous and competitive selection process,” including proposals from other organizations with industry-related expertise, the resulting selection from the process which began in March was made. Expected to take eighteen months to complete, the two-phase programme of research intends to build on RTS’s December 14 publication on customer behavior on gaming machines, by exploring industry held data and the potential of behavioral analytics in mitigating the potential for harm related to gambling.

Chief executive of RGT, Marc Etches said, “RGT is committed to commissioning research not only to understand player behaviour but to improve processes in the industry to mitigate gambling-related harm. We have completed an extensive tender process and have emerged with research partners of the highest caliber,” and that “Between them PwC and the Responsible Gambling Council have an extensive understanding of the gambling industry and issues of social impact and I am confident that this work will make a valuable contribution to efforts to minimize gambling-related harm in the remote sector,” according to RGT’s September 21 Press Statement.

Also commenting on the selection by RGT was David Trunkfield, PwC Partner and Betting & Gaming Leader, who said “We’re delighted to be working with the RGT on this important question as doing the right thing for society is central to PwC’s purpose.” Trunkfield added that “By combining our leading data analytics practice and betting & gaming teams, we’ll be using a data led approach to come up with practical recommendations to improve the identification and mitigation of gaming-related harm. We’re looking forward to working closely with the RGT and remote gaming industry over the next 18 months.”