Shawn Fluharty, Executive of Government Affairs at Play’n GO and West Virginia legislator, recently shared his insights on integrating brain health science into global gaming policies at the G7 Responsible Gaming and Gambling Policy Forum.
This forum is the first of three international summits that will continue later this year at the G20 and the United Nations. As the only online gaming provider invited to this summit, Play’n GO brought its frontline experience in player protection to discussions traditionally dominated by public health and academia.
Not only a legislator from West Virginia, Fluharty has also led the state in legalizing online gambling. He pointed out that understanding the impact of gambling on brain health is key to developing effective regulations. Participation and collaboration within the industry can help policymakers adopt scientifically rigorous prevention tools and safeguards, thus promoting responsible gaming and sustainable industry development.
Why discuss gaming and brain health at high-level platforms like the G7, G20, and the United Nations?
Fluharty emphasized, "This is the first time the gaming industry has truly collaborated with experts in the brain health field. Recognizing the gaming industry as an important part of the global economy and treating it on par with other regulated industries gives us the opportunity to work with neuroscientists and public health experts to develop effective policies to reduce negative impacts." He added that only by being involved in designing regulatory frameworks from the start can we maximize player safety, rather than remedying after the fact.
Is the industry's current focus on brain health sufficient?
He stated, "Although the gaming industry is one of the most strictly regulated globally, and operators are generally aware of the importance of player protection, very few companies truly rely on brain health science. Internal compliance teams are far from sufficient; it is essential to bring in independent, neutral advisors and academic institutions to analyze real data, identify risks, and improve protection mechanisms. This is the inevitable direction for the industry's next steps."
What brain science research should regulatory bodies focus on?
Fluharty revealed that Play’n GO is forming a specialized committee of 12 to 14 experts, scholars, clinicians, and data scientists aimed at promoting evidence-based brain health regulatory recommendations. He emphasized that while research and resources are still being accumulated, the ultimate goal is to establish regulatory standards rooted in brain health science based on scientific data.
How does Play’n GO apply player behavior research to product design?
He explained that Play’n GO prioritizes player welfare and long-term sustainability over short-term profits. The company proactively eliminates predatory features such as "direct purchase rewards" to ensure games are entertaining without exploiting system vulnerabilities. This "consumer-first" philosophy, driven by CEO Johan Tornqvist, demonstrates that responsible design and commercial success can be achieved simultaneously.
In the face of new global gaming regulatory trends, what are the next steps to promote brain health policy?
Fluharty believes that as the gaming industry becomes more standardized, the next focus is to promote a unified global policy framework that incorporates brain health standards into the entire legal legislative process. "We cannot wait for a crisis to react; we must plan from the source, prevent harm from occurring, and ensure these measures become the cornerstone of future regulations."
