Apricot is a proud partner of PlayItForward, a CSR programme dedicated to driving positive change for People, Place, and Planet.
Since 2014, PlayItForward has invested £2.57 million into various CSR initiatives, supporting everything from responsible gambling charities to disaster relief efforts. At Apricot we have aligned our ESG efforts with the programme’s three pillars: People, Place, and Planet, supporting education, community, and environmental projects worldwide.
Place
Community
As a partner of the PlayItForward CSR programme, Apricot has supported over 278 community causes, with employees volunteering over 2,300 hours since the programme’s inception. Supported initiatives have covered areas ranging from safer gambling, mental health to education and the local environment.Governance
As part of our governance framework, we oversee ESG through our CEO, executive team, and task force. We adhere to ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems and ISO 27001:2013 Information Security standards, integrating sustainable practices across our operations and expanded campus which includes Evergreen and Sixty Two; one of the Isle of Man’s first privately held office buildings to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability rating.![](https://www.apricot.co.im/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pif-fun-1.png)
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Employee training
We established an ESG taskforce in late 2023 to drive strategic initiatives, and our operational compliance team ensures that risks are monitored, mitigated, and reported to senior leadership. Apricot staff have access to comprehensive training materials on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Responsible Gambling. Our ISO 27001 certification mandates annual information security training tailored to our specific processes and systems.Employee engagement
We foster a culture of inclusivity and transparency, with gender diversity at par with industry standards. Through quarterly updates, town halls, and performance surveys, we provide avenues for staff to be heard and celebrated.Responsible gambling
At Apricot, we recognise our responsibility to promote responsible gambling practices and prioritise player welfare. Our commitment to responsible gambling is deeply ingrained in our corporate ethos, guiding our actions to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all.Player welfare initiatives
Since our inception, we have championed fair play and responsible gaming principles, embedding them into the core of our operations. We have spearheaded several pioneering initiatives and developed industry-wide responsible gambling platform tools for operators to support player welfare.These tools include:
- Deposit Limits: Empowering players to manage their spending by setting deposit limits.
- Loss Limits: Allowing players to set limits on the amount they are willing to lose during a gaming session.
- Session Limits: Enabling players to proactively determine the duration of their gaming sessions by setting personalised time limits.
- Session Reminders: Assisting players in keeping track of the time they spend gaming by providing session reminders.
- Take a Break: Allowing players to take a break from betting for a specified period, ranging from 24 hours to six weeks.
- Self-Exclusion: Providing players with the option to exclude themselves from gaming activities for a defined period, demonstrating a proactive measure to control their gambling habits.
Supporting responsible gambling organisations
In addition to our internal initiatives, we collaborate closely with reputable responsible gambling organisations in their mission to treat, minimise and prevent gambling-related harm, helping make a difference to those who need it most. Through PlayItForward we have forged partnerships with leading responsible gambling charities, including Anonymind, Betknowmore UK, GamCare, Gordon Moody Association, Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and Motiv8 Isle of Man.Funding and support
Since 2020, we have provided significant funding to support responsible gambling projects and initiatives. Our contributions have funded various projects, including:- A four-week social media campaign promoting the GamCare National Gambling Helpline.
- A year-long peer-led group therapy trial for women affected by gambling addiction.
- Motiv8 Isle of Man’s ‘YP Motiv8’ program, offering free support services to young people impacted by gambling.
- Distribution of Safer Schools Digital Resilience packs to primary schools across the Isle of Man.
Planet
Carbon emissions and waste management
Apricot has made significant efforts to track and manage its carbon footprint, especially at its new Evergreen premises. This includes monitoring Scope 1 and 2 emissions, fuel consumption for company vehicles, and electricity usage, along with investing in a suite of eBikes for staff. Our Environmental Management System (EMS) supports the ongoing health and wellbeing of our workforce by establishing a more sustainable environment which encourages staff to create a greener future. Supported by our CSR partner, PlayItForward, initiatives have included replacing office glassware with bamboo alternatives, eliminating single-use plastics, using FSC-certified cleaning products and stationery, installing energy-efficient lighting and IT systems, and implementing comprehensive recycling and waste segregation facilities. We also encourage sustainable commuting through Cycle to Work and Car Sharing schemes, provide composting facilities at our staff coffee shop, and have given each staff member a biophilic desk plant to foster environmental responsibility.Net-zero plan
Aligned with global efforts to combat climate change, we have developed a net-zero plan to significantly reduce our carbon emissions. This includes targets to decrease grid electricity, company vehicle emissions and refrigerant gases by specific percentages by 2025 and 2030, respectively.Environmental policy and commitment
We maintain a comprehensive Environmental Policy that outlines our commitment to environmental stewardship. This policy includes GHG emissions targets aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, measures to reduce water usage, and strategies to manage resources and waste effectively. Our Environmental Policy is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with evolving sustainability standards and practices.Sustainability Pledge
We launched our Sustainability Pledge in 2020, reaffirming our dedication to environmental stewardship. We have since made significant progress, in tracking, and publicly reporting our achievements against our sustainability commitments.