Britain’s Gambling Commission (GC) has appointed Dr Virve Marionneau and Dr Spencer Murch to its Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG).

Dr Marionneau is a sociologist and director of the Centre for Research on Addiction, Control and Governance at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Her research focuses on a wide range of gambling-related topics, including regulations and policy evaluations, as well as digital gambling environments, industry practices and qualitative investigation of gambling experiences and harms.

“I am honoured to join the ABSG, especially at a time when increasing international and cross-sector collaboration is needed to regulate and control gambling,” Dr Marionneau said. “I am thrilled to be a part of this impressive team of experts, and I look forward to advising particularly on regulatory practices and research from other jurisdictions.”

Dr Murch is a cognitive psychologist and AGRI Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary in Canada.

His research aims to understand the cognitive, behavioural and psychophysiological profiles of those addicted to digital products.

His research also examines new ways to improve people’s health by using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, intervene and prevent gambling-related harm.

Dr Murch commented: “I am eager to contribute to such a talented team as the ABSG. As AI technologies and digital gambling opportunities continue to evolve, it is more important than ever to understand clearly the threats posed to human health in the United Kingdom and around the world.

“The mandate of this group is important, timely, and represents an opportunity to transform research insights into working harm prevention policies.”

ABSG chairwoman Anna van der Gaag said of the appointments: “They are highly respected academics, both with a strong record of achievement in the field of gambling studies, and together, they will expand the national and international research expertise we offer to the Commission.

“Gambling is a global business and the regulatory challenges faced in different jurisdictions have much in common. I am delighted to be welcoming them and have no doubt they will bring valuable new insights to an ever-expanding range of topics which inform policy and practice in gambling regulation.”