New Software to Detect Gambling Addiction: A First Look

November 29th, 2023: Gambling harm remains a concern for regulators, operators and players. Alongside existing policies and support services, technology companies are exploring tools intended to help identify people at risk.

The Gambling Commission’s telephone survey for the year to March 2023 reported a problem gambling rate of 0.3% among adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain, with moderate-risk and low-risk rates of 1.2% and 1.8%. These figures relate to that survey period and method. With these numbers, the industry calls for renewed efforts to help raise awareness of Responsible Gambling. One of the popular initiatives for the UK betting industry is the Safer Gambling Week observance. DigitalEjis has announced software that it says can assess addiction risk and monitor betting behaviour.

Early detection of problem gambling

DigitalEjis is a research and development company with a strong focus and commitment to providing a safe and entertaining gaming environment. It has recently launched its new software for early detection of gambling problems.

According to DigitalEjis CEO Ian McLoughlin, the company feels the ethical need to provide casino operators with instruments to protect players’ rights. In collaboration with scientists and partners, DigitalEjis takes a big step towards player protection. DigitalEjis says its team includes more than fifteen professionals from top neuroscience and psychology universities. After several years of studying gambling addiction, the team has come up with an innovative solution to detect gambling addiction. 

In its November 2023 launch announcement, DigitalEjis claimed its system could achieve 85% prediction accuracy. This is the company’s reported figure; we have not independently tested the software. The company also says its tools can monitor betting behaviour and support intervention.

According to DigitalEjis’ CMO, Francesco Gaziano, the assessment of players will be done without interfering with the crucial aspects of the operators’ business. The gambling addiction prediction software will function on behalf of the operators. 

What the company says about its detection software

Lead scientist Dr. Aleksandar Matic described the tool as “a game-changer in addiction science”. He said it combines algorithms with neuroscience and psychology research, and claimed it could predict addiction risk before a person places a bet.

Angela Gemma, DigitalEjis’s general counsel, emphasized the importance of player protection as a sensitive issue. The ultimate goal of DigitalEjis is to provide a tool that allows accurate prediction and prevention instead of diagnosis only. 

DigitalEjis says it aims to help operators identify players who may need protection earlier in their gambling journey.

The company says its software also tracks betting activity in real time, giving operators information intended to support earlier intervention.