How does any iGaming business show that it operates responsibly? Across the sector, growth now depends on trust. Regulators, investors, and players are paying closer attention to how companies manage their environmental and social impact. That shift has created demand for a structured ESG framework in iGaming.
Such a framework is necessary as it helps turn good intentions into practical action. Most sustainability models were written for manufacturing or finance, leaving gaming operators without a map that fits their reality.
Our iESG Assessment fills that space. It helps companies look honestly at their performance, spot what works, and prove progress in a way regulators and investors can respect.
Why an ESG Framework in iGaming Matters
Findings from BDO’s 2024 ESG Strategy for Gaming show that operators who make their sustainability goals public tend to attract steadier investors and earn stronger relationships with regulators and partners¹.
The European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) pushes that idea further. It requires many companies to publish verified data on their social and environmental impact². For iGaming, it means more than publishing profit reports; operators now need to show how they handle energy consumption, player safety, and governance. One of the reasons why an ESG framework in iGaming matters now more than ever.
The infrastructure that runs online gaming is power-intensive. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global data centers use about one percent of the world’s electricity³. Add affiliate networks, payment systems, and compliance operations, and the footprint grows quickly.
A well-designed ESG framework, tailored to the particular needs of the industry helps operators manage this complexity. The goal is to make sustainability part of everyday business rather than a side project by showcasing the business advantages that come along with a sustainability-based approach.
ESG Framework in iGaming in Action: Our iESG Assessment
Our iESG Assessment was developed by gaming professionals with more than twenty five years of combined hands-on experience. It measures how an operator performs across five core areas, providing the only ESG framework in iGaming that helps shaping real ESG maturity.
Governance and Transparency
Strong ESG performance starts at the top. Reviewers look at how boards set clear direction, promote ethical behavior, and keep responsible gaming firmly on the agenda.
Environmental Sustainability
This area focuses on the footprint of digital operations. It also looks at the environmental footprint of day-to-day operations. We assess how efficiently hosting is run and if renewable energy sources are used.
Responsible Gaming and Player Protection
Fairplay and safety are the most essential parameters when it comes to players. The assessment checks whether customers have the right tools to stay in control of their play, how clearly those options are explained, and how quickly operators step in when they spot signs of risk.
Social Responsibility and Ethical Practices
On the social side, company culture carries … real weight. Signs of inclusion and fair pay are assessed as well as workplaces that treat balance and wellbeing as part of long-term sustainability.
Data Ethics and Cybersecurity
Finally, data protection is treated as part of integrity, not just compliance. The review checks that player information is secured to GDPR and ISO 27001 standards and that access to sensitive systems stays tightly controlled.
📝 Our iESG Assessment is an independent and to the iGaming industry tailored framework that benchmarks current practices against ESG standards. It helps to identify gaps, highlight strengths, and create the transparency investors expect.
ESG Framework in iGaming: Improving Sustainability
After scoring, companies are placed into four tiers that mark their progress on the ESG path, providing a clear and transparent ESG framework in iGaming.
Each tier reflects where a company stands on its sustainability journey:
At the ESG Starter (Below 30%) level, most companies are just starting their ESG journey and there is no shame in that (we all start somewhere at some point). The goal here is straight-forward: to get a clear picture of current practices. From there we identify what can and should be improved first. The good news is – early progress often comes from small, practical steps.
Moving into ESG Foundations (30–59%) means the basics are working. Companies at this stage are meeting essential standards. This means beginning to connect sustainability goals to everyday decisions. That’s when policies start turning into real measurable actions, and sustainability begins to become part of the company’s DNA.
Reaching ESG Progression (60–79%) shows that the company is well matured on its ESG journey. Data is published more transparently, communication is open, and there’s a steady effort to refine and improve year after year. What stands out most here is consistency … not perfection, but proof of progress.
Finally, ESG Leadership (80% and above) recognises companies who have fully embedded ESG thinking into how they run their business. These are the companies setting the pace for responsible, sustainable gaming, with performance that’s both verifiable and widely respected.
Certified companies receive the iESG Certificate and are listed on esgigaming.com, adding visible proof of credibility and commitment.
Turning our iESG Assessment into a Business Edge
Our iESG Assessment gives iGaming businesses a clear picture of where they stand in five core areas. After completing the assessment, we compile an individual report that comes with a scorecard and a hands-on improvement plan that fits company size, market, and regulation. A ESG framework in iGaming has to be both tailored to the specific needs of the industry and provide a roadmap for a future-proof business.
Some “small” adjustments can make a real difference:
- Shifting to renewable hosting can lower energy bills by up to 30 percent, according to Green Data Hosting Trends 2024⁴.
- Introducing diversity targets and employee training strengthens both company culture and attracts talents.
- Updating cybersecurity protocols reduces data-breach risk and reassures players.
Certified operators appear across our iESG communication channels, gaining visibility with affiliates, partners, and investors.
Reassessment each year encourages steady growth. Every tier achieved shows verifiable improvement, building a record of progress and credibility on the pulse of time.
🎓 The iESG Certificate offers operators independent validation that commitments are backed by practice. Widely recognized as an industry benchmark, it assures investors, regulators, and players that ESG principles are embedded across operations rather than presented as window dressing.
Conclusion: ESG Framework in iGaming
A clear ESG framework in iGaming has become part of what defines leadership. The iESG Assessment offers a structured way to measure impact, set priorities, and show results that stand up to scrutiny.
Operators who act now are not only ready for tighter regulation. They are building more resilient, trustworthy brands that attract players, staff, and investors alike. Ready to start your assessment? Begin the iESG Assessment and position your company as a certified sustainable operator.
FAQ – ESG Framework in iGaming
What is a ESG Framework in iGaming?
A model that helps gaming operators evaluate and certify their environmental, social, and governance performance.
How does the iESG Assessment work?
Operators answer a 30-question review across five sustainability areas. Results determine their certification level and provide a tailored improvement plan.
Why get a iESG certificate?
ESG frameworks in iGaming are gaining relevance – our iESG Certificate helps build credibility with regulators, players, and investors while supporting operational improvements.
How often should the iESG Assessment be completed?
For a transparent and steadily improved ESG framework in iGaming, continuous, yearly track of progress is required. This keeps our iESG Certificate valid and uptodate.
Sources:
- BDO: “ESG Strategy for Gaming 2024”
https://www.bdo.com/insights/industries/gaming-leisure/gaming-companies-unlock-the-power-of-esg-strategy-and-investment - European Commission: “Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD)“
https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en - IEA: “Data centres and data transmission networks“
https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks - Microsoft: “To cool datacenter servers, Microsoft turns to boiling liquid”
https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/datacenter-liquid-cooling/
