LONDON, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) --
SkyBet Sports, the online betting and gaming company has been named Socially Responsible Operator of the Year Online at the prestigious International Gaming Awards (IGA).
The Leeds-based firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of BSkyB, was presented with the award at a gala dinner celebrating the 5th International Gaming Awards in London on Monday 23rd January.
The Awards seek to reward excellence in all areas of betting and gaming and are considered to be the 'Oscars' of the industry. The IGA's Socially Responsible Operator of the Year Online prize recognizes the online operator considered to have made the most outstanding effort in implementing procedures and safeguards for their customers. It is judged on an operator's provision of problem gambling assistance, customer support and responsible gaming safeguards and
Sky Bet beat off stiff competition from rival online betting firms such as 888, Bwin.party, Betfair and Paddy Power.
The award is testament to the commitment Sky Betting and Gaming has shown in their quest to protect potentially vulnerable gamblers: a challenge that is prioritised in every area of the company's operations. Sky Bet's Head of Social Responsibility and Compliance, Fiona Palmer, said: "We have striven to ensure that our staff understand the importance of responsible gambling so this award is recognition of that effort for all at Sky Bet.
"We are very proud to be the winner in this category, especially in the face of such strong competition. Our next challenge is to progress further, setting even more ambitious objectives for improvement in this area and we wholly intend to remain the number one socially responsible operator."
Speaking of Sky Bet's achievement, the IGA judging panel said: "Sky Bet's responsible commitment towards the gaming industry speaks volumes. The demand and importance of socially responsible gaming is evidently increasing so it is extremely imperative and significant that Sky Bet is striving towards minimizing problem gambling. Their award showcases their concern towards eradicating negative stereotypes within gaming."