The New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling wants developers to come up with apps, or even a virtual reality experience, to “promote responsible gambling and/or reduce gambling harm.”
The Office on Tuesday declared it wants “the best and brightest minds to understand gambling-related problems and develop innovative solutions.”
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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 February 26th, with candidates for grants over $100,000 to be asked for extra information in March 2019.
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.
iTnews has to go now - our bookie has framed a market for the most likely winner of the grants. We promise to gamble responsibly. And if we get addicted and forget to buy any groceries, at least we'll do so safe in the knowledge that a VR experience may soon teach us the error of our ways.
Information about the grants and how to apply for them can be found here.
