SafeComply Founder, Betsson Non-Executive Director calls for more inclusion and diversity in gaming

Abby Rachel Cosgrave, Founder of SafeComply Group and Non-Executive Director at Betsson Group, has decried the creation of another stigma around gaming: that of exclusion and lack of diversity.

Speaking as controversy was sparked by the publication of the Judging Panel of the Global Gaming Awards London – which lacked female members – Ms Cosgrave explored her perspective and discussed her experiences in the industry.

"I have spoken to many people across the industry in the past week offline about the issues caused by this perceived lack of diversity and one question that was often raised was whether this had ever made its way into how I was treated in the day to day in the industry. Whether I felt prejudiced as a woman", she said on social media.

Ms Cosgrave reflected on experiences where she felt excluded due to her gender and acknowledged that she's "never called it strongly enough when it happened", to avoid being seen as difficult.

"Even speaking up in this way can directly impact me financially", she revealed, but insisted that "the time for caring about that has passed".

Issuing a call to action, Ms Cosgrave said: "As an industry, we are not doing good enough".

"This is why a top-down approach to ensuring inclusion and diversity should be a priority of all companies in this industry. We all need to be involved in making it better. Starting with the media outlets, events and conference organisers which are helping perpetuate an environment where things like the above happen".

The 52 person strong panel, judging one of the gambling industry's most prestigious awards, included only one woman and no black people.

The makeup of the panel was slammed by women in the industry including Ms Cosgrave, as well as non-profit All-in Diversity Project.

Since Ms Cosgrave's initial post, she reported receiving seemingly positive feedback, saying: "I'm in contact with some operators and companies targeting the gambling industry and hopefully we can start seeing some positive action arise out of this".