Playtech Partners with WVU to Advance Responsible Gambling

Playtech has partnered with West Virginia University’s Center for Gaming Research and Development to study player behaviour and responsible gambling in the state’s regulated igaming sector.

The collaboration will see WVU leverage Playtech’s BetBuddy platform, an advanced analytics tool that identifies behavioural markers linked to gambling-related harm. Researchers will analyse anonymised player data from licensed operators, aiming to better understand problem gambling and improve prevention strategies.

Through its exclusive partnership with the West Virginia Lottery Commission, WVU has access to anonymised datasets, which, combined with BetBuddy’s insights, will enable more robust research across multiple gaming verticals.

Playtech, which launched operations in West Virginia in early 2025, provides software and services for both online and land-based gaming in the US and globally. Its portfolio includes solutions supporting regulatory compliance and responsible gambling initiatives.

This initiative follows Playtech’s previous educational collaborations, including a multi-year partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, highlighting the company’s commitment to responsible gaming research.

Jonathan Doubilet, US General Manager at Playtech, said: “Partnering with WVU allows us to bring our responsible gambling tools and expertise to academic research, helping protect players and advance evidence-based strategies in the US.”

Brad Humphreys, Ph.D, Director of WVU’s Center for Gaming Research and Development, added: “This partnership demonstrates the value of combining research, data and industry knowledge. It sets a new benchmark for responsible, data-driven innovation in gaming research.”