The latest findings from the All-In Diversity Project’s 2019 survey reveals that Covid-19 has stalled the gaming and betting sector’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts.
The industry has made cuts in DE&I spend in order to focus more on wellbeing instead as a result of the pandemic, according to the not-for-profit initiative, which benchmarks DE&I across the global betting and gaming industry. The research revealed that the number of organisations in the sector offering training and learning around equality/anti-discrimination policies dropped to around 70%, compared to around 90% the year before, in 2018.
However, the number of gaming organisations offering conscious and unconscious bias training has increased from 50% in 2018 to over 72% in 2019. There has also been an increase in organisations offering training in relation to inter-cultural competence, to address issues such as language and stereotyping, and challenging inappropriate behaviour.
Additionally, the study found a 30% drop in support for under-represented groups this year, including LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities and those with ethnic minority backgrounds. Instead, there’s been an increase in organisations offering mental health and wellbeing support for all employees, confirmed the report.
WIDENING GENDER GAP IN LEADERSHIP
The findings also revealed a widening gender gap in the industry, particularly within the more senior leadership roles. Currently, there are only 34% of women in Heads of Departments and Directors roles, and only 15% of CEOs or MDs are women. Additionally, the number of women at board level has dropped 5.5% – from 28% in 2018 to 22.5% in 2019.
Furthermore, in 2019, every salary band shows that men earned more than women, despite almost “close to pay parity for both men and women” earning up to 25,000, and those with earnings up to 50,000 back in 2018.
PROGRESSING DE&I IN GAMING
The second annual study of approximately 100 global brands in the sector, reveals how some of the industry’s biggest brands, such as GVC, IGT and Sky Betting and Gaming, are leading the way in global workplace DE&I and wellbeing initiatives.
“All-in Diversity Project is the industry’s central resource for businesses requiring data and tools in order to progress their business to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe that surveying the industry annually is one of the most significant ways we can continue real progress globally. We are grateful to all participants who are both committed to their own progress but also to the industry’s overall improvement,” stated Co-Founder of All-in Diversity Project Kelly Kehn.
According to the All-In Diversity Project Co-founders, the impact of COVID-19 and a greater spotlight on race strongly suggest that the last 12 months’ may be a pivotal moment in workplace DE&I. They are therefore planning to conduct research on the impact of this with the aim of publishing a Covid-19 2020 survey in January 2021. Businesses/organisations that would like to participate in the survey can register their interest by clicking here.
Click here to download a copy of All-In Diversity Project’s report.
DE&I efforts have not only been stalled in the betting and gaming sector, they have also been put on hold in the hospitality, travel and leisure sector. Read more here.
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