1xCare appoints first Advisory Committee for player safety

1xCare has announced the appointment of its first Advisory Committee following the official launch of the initiative during iGB L!VE earlier this month. The committee has been established to provide independent oversight of the organisation's player protection programme while supporting governance standards across its research educational technological and well-being activities.

The newly formed committee is chaired by Simon Westbury and includes experienced professionals with backgrounds in gambling regulation law public policy programme governance and sports integrity. Together they will oversee the strategic direction of 1xCare while helping ensure that its activities operate within established ethical and regulatory frameworks.

The announcement represents an important milestone for 1xCare as it continues to develop its responsible gambling initiatives. The organisation has stated that additional specialist appointments are expected in the coming months as its governance structure continues to evolve.

Building an independent governance framework

1xCare was established by the owner of 1xBet to bring together a range of player protection initiatives under one structured framework. The programme combines research education technology and player support with the stated objective of promoting responsible gambling practices across regulated markets.

The creation of an independent Advisory Committee is intended to provide oversight of these activities while supporting transparency accountability and sound governance. According to the organisation the committee will supervise policy development funding decisions ethical standards and compliance matters related to its programmes.

Independent oversight has become an increasingly important element of responsible gambling initiatives throughout the global gaming industry. Regulatory authorities in many jurisdictions continue to encourage operators and related organisations to strengthen governance structures that support player protection while ensuring that programmes are developed using evidence-based approaches.

By establishing a committee with expertise from several professional disciplines 1xCare aims to strengthen confidence in how its player protection programme is managed and reviewed over time.

Four pillars guiding the programme

The Advisory Committee will oversee four core operational pillars that form the foundation of the 1xCare initiative.

Research Hub

The Research Hub focuses on expanding knowledge related to responsible gambling player behaviour and risk prevention. Research initiatives may help improve understanding of gambling-related harms while supporting the development of evidence-based policies educational materials and technological solutions.

Academic collaboration and research ethics will also fall within the committee's oversight responsibilities to help ensure that research activities meet recognised professional standards.

EduCare

EduCare is designed to improve awareness of responsible gambling among players industry stakeholders sports organisations and the wider public. Educational initiatives are expected to provide practical guidance on safer gambling practices while encouraging informed decision making.

The programme also seeks to integrate responsible gambling awareness into sporting environments through collaboration with sports organisations and integrity specialists.

TechShield

Technology plays an increasingly important role in identifying potential gambling risks before they escalate. Through TechShield 1xCare intends to support technological solutions that may assist with monitoring player behaviour identifying potential risk indicators and promoting safer gambling environments.

While specific technologies have not yet been detailed the initiative reflects wider industry efforts to use innovation in support of responsible gambling objectives.

Support and Well-Being

The Support and Well-Being pillar focuses on player welfare through programmes intended to provide guidance support resources and access to appropriate assistance where needed.

The committee will monitor governance standards surrounding these initiatives while helping ensure that player welfare remains a central priority within the overall framework.

Advisory Committee members bring diverse expertise

The committee consists of professionals whose experience covers multiple areas relevant to responsible gambling governance.

Simon Westbury takes the chair

Simon Westbury will serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. His responsibilities include providing strategic leadership across all four programme pillars while chairing committee meetings and overseeing policy development funding allocation ethical standards and compliance matters.

He will also act as the committee's primary spokesperson as the organisation develops its player protection activities.

Commenting on the appointment Westbury said:

“An initiative like this is judged by the people willing to stand behind it. We have brought together independent expertise in gambling regulation, law and sports integrity, and given the committee genuine authority over how our programmes are governed and funded. Responsible gambling is not a slogan; it is a duty, and this committee exists to hold us to it.”

Quirino Mancini focuses on regulation and law

Quirino Mancini joins the committee with responsibility for regulatory and legal matters. His work will include advising on licensing compliance responsible gambling standards research ethics and risk management.

He is also expected to support engagement with regulators governments and academic institutions where appropriate.

Chris Bird oversees sport and integrity

Chris Bird will lead the committee's work relating to sports integrity and sponsorship activities within the EduCare programme.

His responsibilities include advising on integrity issues connected to sports partnerships while supporting efforts to integrate gambling awareness into sporting environments. He will also contribute to initiatives linked to player support and well-being.

Sissel Weitzhändler leads public policy initiatives

Sissel Weitzhändler joins the committee to oversee public policy and regulatory matters.

Her role includes supervising funding for public-interest initiatives promoting accountability among non-governmental organisations and collaborating with regulators and NGOs on evidence-based responsible gambling interventions.

Supporting responsible gambling in regulated markets

According to 1xCare the Advisory Committee's activities will primarily focus on regulated gambling markets where governance compliance and player protection standards continue to evolve.

Across many jurisdictions responsible gambling has become a central component of regulatory expectations. Operators are increasingly expected to demonstrate clear governance structures transparent decision making and measurable commitments to player welfare.

By establishing independent oversight 1xCare seeks to align its activities with these broader industry developments while supporting continuous improvement across its programmes.

The committee's multidisciplinary structure also reflects the growing recognition that effective player protection requires expertise from legal regulatory educational technological and public policy perspectives rather than relying on a single discipline.

Further appointments expected

1xCare has confirmed that the Advisory Committee will continue to expand as its work progresses.

The organisation stated that additional specialists including experts from academic research and sports integrity will be appointed in the coming months. These future appointments are expected to broaden the committee's knowledge base while supporting the ongoing development of its programmes.

As responsible gambling initiatives continue to evolve internationally organisations increasingly recognise the value of independent governance supported by diverse professional expertise. Future committee members may contribute additional perspectives that strengthen research educational programmes and player support initiatives.

Conclusion

The appointment of the Advisory Committee marks an important stage in the development of 1xCare and its player protection programme. By bringing together professionals with expertise in regulation law public policy governance and sports integrity the organisation has established a formal structure to oversee its responsible gambling activities.

While the long-term effectiveness of any governance framework depends on its implementation ongoing evaluation and transparency the formation of an independent committee provides a foundation for oversight across research education technology and player well-being initiatives. As 1xCare continues to expand its programme and appoint additional specialists its governance model is expected to play a central role in shaping future responsible gambling efforts within regulated markets.

FAQs

What is 1xCare?
1xCare is a player protection initiative established to bring together research education technology and well-being programmes that support responsible gambling.

Why has 1xCare created an Advisory Committee?
The Advisory Committee has been formed to provide independent oversight of governance policy ethical standards funding allocation and compliance across the organisation's programmes.

Who chairs the 1xCare Advisory Committee?
The committee is chaired by Simon Westbury who is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing the committee's activities.

What are the four pillars of the 1xCare programme?
The programme consists of the Research Hub EduCare TechShield and Support and Well-Being which together focus on player protection and responsible gambling.

What role does Quirino Mancini have on the committee?
Quirino Mancini advises on gambling regulation legal matters licensing compliance research ethics and risk management.

How does Chris Bird contribute to the programme?
Chris Bird leads work related to sports integrity sponsorship activities and responsible gambling awareness within sporting environments.

What are Sissel Weitzhändler's responsibilities?
She oversees public policy regulatory initiatives funding for public-interest projects NGO accountability and collaboration with regulators.

Will more committee members be appointed?
Yes. 1xCare has announced that additional specialists including academic researchers and sports integrity experts will join the committee in the future.

Why is independent oversight important for player protection?
Independent oversight helps strengthen transparency accountability ethical governance and confidence in responsible gambling programmes.

What is the primary objective of the 1xCare programme?
Its primary objective is to support responsible gambling through coordinated research education technological innovation and player well-being initiatives.