Rush Street Interactive, Inc., an online casino and sports betting company in the United States, on Tuesday revealed the appointment of Tammi Barlow as director of corporate social responsibility.
According to the Chicago-based company, Barlow brings more than a decade of experience building and managing responsible gaming and corporate social responsibility programs for companies in the gaming industry.
In this new role, RSI said Barlow will lead the development and execution of its corporate social responsibility strategy, including the continued implementation of the company’s responsible gaming initiatives, as well as promotion and expansion of the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion and environmental, social, and governance efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
Barlow will report to RSI’s chief compliance officer, Laura McAllister Cox, who the company described as a seasoned legal advisor to the gaming industry, and regulatory and compliance professional who formally joined the company earlier this year. Cox previously supported RSI’s compliance efforts for more than five years in her role as vice president of regulatory compliance and legal counsel at Rush Street Gaming, LLC.
Prior to joining RSI, Barlow served as director of responsible gaming and corporate social responsibility at Caesars Entertainment, Inc., following its acquisition of William Hill PLC. Before that, she was the head of responsible gaming at William Hill PLC and director of responsible gaming and corporate social responsibility at William Hill US.
Previously, she served as manager of responsible gaming and community relations at International Game Technology (IGT). Barlow’s career in the gaming industry began as the manager of corporate social responsibility at Northstar Lottery Group, LLC.
She currently serves as a subject matter expert on Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling.
RSI said in a statement it has prioritized the deployment of best-in-class responsible gaming tools within its products since its inception. The company said recent innovations include faster, transparent, and non-cancellable withdraw and refund processes; regular reviews of customer match criteria to prevent breaches in jurisdictional self-exclusion databases; and the continued integration of prominent responsible gaming messaging in customer-facing communications.
The operator noted it is partnering with and supporting the American Gaming Association’s 2021 observance of Responsible Gaming Education Week, taking place September 19-24. The week provides an opportunity for gaming operators to refresh employee training, promote transparency and gaming literacy to customers, and work with community partners on advancing responsible gaming initiatives through events and educational resources.
“As legal online gaming continues to expand across the country, it is critical that our industry’s customers and employees are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to help ensure safe and fun gambling experiences,” Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI, said in a statement. “Tammi is a highly experienced executive with a demonstrated history of developing successful responsible gaming programs. RSI remains focused on being at the forefront of this important topic and we are proud to further our commitment to serving as a good corporate citizen with Tammi’s addition to the team.”
“I have long admired RSI for its thought leadership and continuous improvement approach to responsible gaming efforts. Together with our partners in the industry, I look forward to educating RSI’s stakeholders on the risks and rewards associated with gambling and empowering them to make smart decisions that create a betting gaming industry and better society," Barlow added.
RSI was founded in 2012 by gaming industry veterans. Through its brands, BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com, RSI was an early entrant in many regulated jurisdictions and currently is live with real-money mobile, online and/or retail operations in 10 US states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Colorado, Iowa and West Virginia. RSI also is active internationally, offering its online casino and sportsbook in the regulated gaming market of Colombia on RushBet.co.
