Appley Bridge consultancy wins third industry award in USA

An Appley Bridge-based consultancy which specialises in mitigating gambling-related harm has scored a third industry award for its work in North America.

EPIC Global Solutions won a third consecutive Player Protection Service Provider of the Year award at the SBC Awards North America.

The New York ceremony celebrated excellence across all aspects of the gambling industry throughout North America. The sector is booming, with 38 states now allowing betting in sport.

EPIC provides a range of consultancy, education and training services around recognising signs of problem gambling to a range of sectors across the world, with a particular focus on working with sports organisations, gambling operators and gambling industry regulators.

The company’s work in conjunction with the NCAA college sports network and gambling operator Entain Foundation US, which has seen over 55,000 student-athletes and staff at more than 200 US college campuses educated on gambling-related harm in the past three years, was highlighted within the nomination for the award.

Paul Buck, EPIC’s CEO and founder, said: "Gambling is growing, so the level of harm that will come will also grow. Recognising player protection at events like this wasn’t happening five or ten years ago, but it’s becoming an increasingly bigger issue and we’re glad to be at the front of that and hope to remain that way for the next five years and beyond.

“We wouldn't be able to do this without the lived experience facilitators who go out there and tell their stories day in, day out, all around the country in each of the states that we work in."