In our latest Q&A, Ian Penrose highlights Dataworks Group’s recent wins, like the contract to operate Ontario’s centralised self-exclusion system, and explains how this software helps to protect people at risk of gambling harm.
Ian shares the latest industry trends, including AI-driven solutions and Dataworks Group’s mission to become the world leader in responsible gambling solutions.
How would you describe your role in shaping Dataworks Group’s direction and success?
I have been involved in the sport, technology and gambling industry globally for over 25 years, and in my role as a Non-Executive Director of Dataworks Group, I have been able to oversee the pivot into the RegTech space, provide advice to the executive team drawing on my experience, and make several introductions to regulators, suppliers and operators all around the world.
Reflecting on your time with Dataworks Group so far, what achievements or developments are you most proud of?
Turning around and pivoting a business into a new sector is always hard work. Under the Chairmanship of Julian Babaczy, we have assembled a great Board, executive team and set of advisers. Securing the contract to develop and operate the centralised self-exclusion register for Australia was important, as was securing the contract to do the same in Ontario, Canada. This gives us a great global platform on which to build. However, I believe that the RegTech industry offers huge potential for Dataworks Group, and we should see exciting things in the future.
How do you see Dataworks Group’s RegTech solution contributing to safer gambling practices and better consumer protection? What measurable social impacts do you hope to achieve?
Centralised self-exclusion ensures that a self-excluded gambler is excluded from all gambling operators, and that protects the individual from gambling at all for the period that they are self-excluded. That has a really important social impact – as it protects the individual from themselves if they have or may be developing a gambling habit. A strong self-exclusion system, together with other measures, can contribute positively to the market, and can help avoid wider societal, family, financial and associated health issues.
What major trends and changes do you anticipate in the RegTech space in the coming years?
The number of RegTech products and solutions will continue to grow as responsible gaming measures become increasingly important and widespread, and technology solutions will be increasingly involved in player analytics and profiling. Using AI to predict future behaviours of the gambler and therefore providing opportunities to intervene appropriately will become increasingly important.
As a result of the number of products that will be required throughout the player journey, there will be a consolidation amongst suppliers in order to provide multi products to the operators This will make the relationship between the responsible gambling industry, the Regulator and the gambling operator more seamless, thus providing better and more comprehensive data on the industry and its customers.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about Dataworks Group’s future?
There is a rapidly growing requirement for socially responsible solutions to be applied to the gambling industry, as markets regulate and mature around the world. Dataworks Group has an opportunity to be at the forefront of that market, building a great business in the RegTech sector.
In our latest Q&A, Ian Penrose highlights Dataworks Group’s recent wins, like the contract to operate Ontario’s centralised self-exclusion system, and explains how this software helps to protect people at risk of gambling harm.
Ian shares the latest industry trends, including AI-driven solutions and Dataworks Group’s mission to become the world leader in responsible gambling solutions.
How would you describe your role in shaping Dataworks Group’s direction and success?
I have been involved in the sport, technology and gambling industry globally for over 25 years, and in my role as a Non-Executive Director of Dataworks Group, I have been able to oversee the pivot into the RegTech space, provide advice to the executive team drawing on my experience, and make several introductions to regulators, suppliers and operators all around the world.
Reflecting on your time with Dataworks Group so far, what achievements or developments are you most proud of?
Turning around and pivoting a business into a new sector is always hard work. Under the Chairmanship of Julian Babaczy, we have assembled a great Board, executive team and set of advisers. Securing the contract to develop and operate the centralised self-exclusion register for Australia was important, as was securing the contract to do the same in Ontario, Canada. This gives us a great global platform on which to build. However, I believe that the RegTech industry offers huge potential for Dataworks Group, and we should see exciting things in the future.
How do you see Dataworks Group’s RegTech solution contributing to safer gambling practices and better consumer protection? What measurable social impacts do you hope to achieve?
Centralised self-exclusion ensures that a self-excluded gambler is excluded from all gambling operators, and that protects the individual from gambling at all for the period that they are self-excluded. That has a really important social impact – as it protects the individual from themselves if they have or may be developing a gambling habit. A strong self-exclusion system, together with other measures, can contribute positively to the market, and can help avoid wider societal, family, financial and associated health issues.
What major trends and changes do you anticipate in the RegTech space in the coming years?
The number of RegTech products and solutions will continue to grow as responsible gaming measures become increasingly important and widespread, and technology solutions will be increasingly involved in player analytics and profiling. Using AI to predict future behaviours of the gambler and therefore providing opportunities to intervene appropriately will become increasingly important.
As a result of the number of products that will be required throughout the player journey, there will be a consolidation amongst suppliers in order to provide multi products to the operators This will make the relationship between the responsible gambling industry, the Regulator and the gambling operator more seamless, thus providing better and more comprehensive data on the industry and its customers.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about Dataworks Group’s future?
There is a rapidly growing requirement for socially responsible solutions to be applied to the gambling industry, as markets regulate and mature around the world. Dataworks Group has an opportunity to be at the forefront of that market, building a great business in the RegTech sector.