Shawn Fluharty: 'Play’n GO prioritises long-term sustainability and player welfare over short-term revenue.'

15 August 2025

Mind Matters: Putting Brain Health at the Heart of Global Gaming Policy

In June, Play’n GO’s Head of Government Affairs, Shawn Fluharty, a West Virginia state legislator who led the fight within the state to legalise iGaming, joined the G7 Forum on Responsible Gaming and Gambling Policy, the first of three summit-level gatherings that continue at the G20 and United Nations later this year.

As the only online supplier invited to these summits, Play’n GO brings frontline experience in safeguarding players to a debate traditionally driven by public-health and academic voices.

In this Q&A, Fluharty examines why understanding gambling’s impact on brain health is essential to crafting effective regulations, and how industry participation ensures that policymakers adopt the right prevention tools, intervention strategies and research-backed safeguards for a truly responsible, sustainable gaming future.

Why is it important to bring the conversation about gambling’s impact on brain health into high-level forums like the G7, G20 and UN?

This marks the first time that the gambling industry has come together with experts who truly understand brain health. Recognising gambling as part of the global economy and treating the regulated sector on par with other industries allows to partner with neuroscientists and public-health specialists on policies that minimise negative impacts. By working together, we can design the smartest, safest frameworks from the outset rather than react after harm occurs.

Is the industry considering brain health enough today?

Gambling is already one of the most heavily regulated industries, and operators recognise that protecting players is essential to keeping them engaged. Yet, too few companies have reached out to brain-health experts or established truly independent oversight. It’s not enough to rely solely on in-house compliance teams; neutral consultants and academic researchers must be brought in to review real-world data, pinpoint early warning signs and refine safeguards. That external perspective is exactly what the industry needs next.

Which research findings or neuroscientific insights should regulators prioritise when drafting new responsible-gaming rules?

We’re still assembling a dedicated committee of 12–14 experts, academics, clinicians and data scientists to explore precisely that question. Once funding and research teams are in place, they will produce evidence-based recommendations. Until then, it’s premature to single out specific findings, but our goal is clear: let the data guide the regulatory standards rooted in brain-health science.

How does Play’n GO’s frontline perspective on player behaviour inform its product design?

Play’n GO prioritises long-term sustainability and player welfare over short-term revenue. By voluntarily excluding predatory features such as direct bonus buys, even though it means leaving money on the table, we ensure our games remain entertaining without exploiting vulnerabilities. This consumer-first mandate, championed by our CEO, Johan Tornqvist, shows that responsible design and business success can go hand in hand.

From here, what are the next steps for ensuring that brain-health considerations remain central as global gaming regulation evolves?

With regulated gaming now at these tables, the next step is a formal global policy initiative that embeds brain-health criteria into every stage of legislation. Rather than waiting for crises to strike, we will keep experts engaged from day one, mapping out how to prevent harm before it happens and ensuring those preventive measures become a standard part of future regulations.

To find out more about Play’n GO, please visit www.playngo.com  

This article originally ran on Focus Gaming News. To read it there, click here.