NSW asks devs for an app to blow up the pokies

Channel players with software development capabilities have been asked to place a bet on their ability to curb problem gambling with an app, social media or virtual reality.

The prospect of a win has been dangled by the New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling, which has announced a lotto of cash, $2.5 million in grants to be precise, for whoever can come up with ideas to “promote responsible gambling and/or reduce gambling harm”.

The Office on Tuesday declared it wanted “the best and brightest minds to understand gambling-related problems and develop innovative solutions” and suggested that researchers team with service providers.

The Office thinks information technology has a big role to play and suggests ideas might include:

• Apps or online tools that use geographic location to support problem gamblers—for example by using location services to pinpoint gambling help services;
• Immersive technology and virtual reality to – develop materials that can be used in schools to deliver education and awareness, or – demonstrate responsible gambling practices;
• Integration of responsible gambling messages into existing social media channels with a focus on emerging applications targeting selected audiences.

A grants pool of $2.5m has been dangled before developers, with up to $100,000 on offer for ideas chosen after submission to a portal. Larger grants of between $101,000 and $400,00 will undergo extra review before signoff.

The money will go fast: submissions are open now and close on 26 February, with candidates for grants over $100,000 to be asked for extra information in March 2019. So while applying for a grant is a gamble, you'll at least learn if you're a winner quite quickly. 

Whoever scores the cash will find themselves locked in competition with other very bright developers whose jobs focus on making gambling as - ahem - compelling as possible.

CRN's contemplating framing a market on which channel players are most likely to score a slice of the cash. We're sure that if we do so, readers will gamble responsibly!

Information about the grants and how to apply can be found here.