Playtech and the International Gaming Institute (IGI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) announced a multi-year partnership aimed at using technology to encourage responsible gaming. Initially, the two entities plan to focus on the emerging field of machine learning and large language models (LLMs), often colloquially described as “artificial intelligence.”
IGI Director of Research Kasra Ghaharian said:
We are thrilled to collaborate with Playtech in advancing our responsible gambling research. Their expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning is crucial in promoting safer gambling behaviours amongst players all around the world. Playtech’s dedication to reducing gambling related harm, aligns with our own goals of employing the most advanced methodologies to understand, predict, and prevent potential gambling harm. As responsible gambling becomes increasingly important in the US and around the world, our collaboration with Playtech is more vital than ever.
Using machine learning to nip problem gambling in the bud has been a hot topic in the industry this year. Although there hasn’t been widespread adoption of the technology for that purpose yet, lots of promising ideas are floating around.
Most of these proposals involve the use of AI to detect problematic patterns of behavior. However, some of Playtech’s early funding is going to an IGI project exploring the use of LLM “chatbots” to coach sports bettors on healthier habits.
Jonathan Doubilet, VP of US Business Operations at Playtech said:
We are delighted to collaborate with the prestigious UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI). Their expertise in the gambling and technology sector helps continue to generate powerful insights that benefit all stakeholders in advancing player protection. Supporting their cutting-edge research, to lead the way in developing innovative solutions to enhance player protection and promote safer gambling behaviours, is a priority for us.
Machine Learning is a Work in Progress
With such research taking place in an academic environment, it may be some years before the results make their way into actual casinos. That’s probably for the best, however, as the technology is still in its infancy.
As impressive as machine learning technologies can be, they are also infamous for being unreliable. It might be amusing that ChatGPT couldn’t (until recently) correctly count the number of Rs in “strawberry,” but it’s less funny when a self-driving car crashes or a lottery’s promotional tool starts generating unauthorized nude images of participants.
Responsible gaming is an important field with serious real-world implications when it goes awry. Early experiments suggest that the technology might not be quite there yet. For instance, a team of German researchers trained an LLM to spot warning signs of problem gambling in posts on gambling forums. They had some success but also found a significant number of false positives. It turned out that the AI couldn’t tell the difference between someone complaining of financial difficulties and someone experiencing a tech issue related to deposits and withdrawals from a gambling site.
Playtech’s Products Are Widespread in the US
In addition to the AI research, Playtech has agreed to support the new Gaming Manufacturing Internship Program at the IGI’s Center for Gaming Innovation.
If these collaborations bear fruit in a form Playtech can use, the impact will be widespread. As a business-to-business company, it has relationships with most US iGaming operators. In addition to a large portfolio of slots, it has been offering live dealer casino games in the US since 2021 and now has studios in three states.
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