Climate change has become a more significant worry over the past few years, causing concern due to unusual weather phenomena, harm to biodiversity and natural resources, and dangerous living conditions.
Despite more people and companies making sustainable choices, climate change issues persist. As the World Economic Forum reports, the summer of 2024 became the hottest year on record, overtaking the previous temperatures set in 2023. All sectors of society have been urged to make strides in reducing their footprint and emissions to protect the environment and prevent further damage.
A surprising player in sustainability efforts is the online casino and gaming scene, which emerged and grew in popularity thanks to the growth of the internet and innovative technology. Though the industry is no exception in making an impact on the environment, it’s also taking steps to pursue sustainable measures and initiatives. Here’s how the online gaming industry is shifting towards sustainability:
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Reducing energy consumption
Traditional casinos, like those on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, are incredibly power-hungry because they require a lot of energy to keep the machines and utilities running for clientele. As such, many have turned to renewable energy like solar power to cut electricity costs and reduce environmental impact.
With the emergence of online casinos, players no longer had to visit traditional casinos to play live games. This cuts energy consumption significantly since playing online doesn’t require the need for a physical building that consumes electricity for lighting, air conditioning, and more. Paperless payment options and digital receipts and documents also reduce the use of printed material. The more people transition to online gaming, the less impact traditional casinos may have on the environment since they can reduce power consumption.
However, online gaming platforms and casino servers still consume significant amounts of energy. Data centers, which store and share applications and data to operate and secure the platforms, are the lifeblood of online gaming. Since they consume a lot of energy, platforms have begun to focus on making data centers more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Using energy-efficient hardware and powering servers on renewable energy can help online casinos reduce their environmental footprint. Platforms without a data center can turn to green web hosting services that run on renewable energy sources. This allows online gaming platforms and casinos to ensure that all or a portion of their energy comes from clean and sustainable sources like wind or solar power.
Sustainable crypto options
Cryptocurrency has become a popular asset to use for online gaming thanks to increased privacy, anonymity, and lower fees. Since it’s decentralized and not regulated by any governing body, transactions are more secure and much cheaper. However, mining crypto is notoriously energy-intensive, bringing up environmental impact concerns. To combat high-energy consumption and emissions, many cryptocurrencies have shifted towards sustainable solutions, such as using renewable energy sources to power activities and transitioning to proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms to eliminate extensive computational work. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Alogrand use these solutions to emphasize environmental sustainability, including a commitment to carbon neutrality.
Online gaming platforms with extensive cryptocurrency options for players provide the opportunity to use these more sustainable assets. Gaming platform Thunderpick offers various crypto deposit options, including Cardano, which has engaged in carbon offsetting efforts and supports initiatives to combat climate change. Players can use it on popular Megaways slots like Medallion Megaways and Blockchain Megaways. These slots have become popular since they provide more chances to win, which also means players will be depositing, using, or earning more crypto. By using more sustainable cryptocurrencies that have taken measures to reduce their environmental footprint, online gaming can leave less of an environmental impact.
Committing to sustainable initiatives
Aside from pursuing energy-efficient operations, online gaming platforms can invest in sustainable initiatives committed to reducing environmental impact. Using earnings from operating the online casino, operators can use these funds to invest in programs that support renewable energy management, reforestation, ocean clean-ups, and more, boosting efforts to improve the environment. Aside from investing in initiatives, online gaming platforms can also make commitments and establish sustainability goals internally to make business changes that lower the environmental footprint. International gaming group Entain made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and its goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2035. To do so, the company purchases most of its electricity from renewable sources—just under 100%. This has led to a year-on-year reduction in emissions. The company has also appointed two board committees for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, showcasing a solid drive to pursue sustainable gaming through its platforms.
Explorations are also being made in the world of crypto to make it a crucial tool for investing in environmental solutions. There may be synergistic potential for Bitcoin mining and green hydrogen production, taking a process with a high ecological footprint and channeling it into renewable energy. Researchers have investigated a scenario where the financial gains from Bitcoin mining are directly funneled into developing clean hydrogen technologies and renewable energy projects. In the future, using crypto on online gaming platforms may have an environmental benefit. While this idea is still being debated on, it shows potential and an interest in offsetting the consumption and emissions produced by cryptocurrency.
Progress still needs to be made in the online gaming scene to truly make a significant contribution to sustainability and tackle environmental issues. Energy consumption is still an issue for many, and the adoption of renewable energy solutions isn’t very widespread. The increasing popularity of crypto for gaming is also a concern due to power-hungry crypto mining. However, there is a clear desire to change the industry and ensure players get the ideal experience while reducing their environmental footprint.
As technology evolves, there may be greater potential for the online gaming scene to make more sustainable changes and even reach net zero emissions.
Dr. Alexander Tabibi is an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for sustainable innovation with a deep commitment to leveraging technology for environmental and social good. As a thought leader at the intersection of business and sustainability, Dr. Tabibi brings a strategic vision to Green.org, helping guide its mission to inspire global climate awareness and actionable change.
With a background in both medicine and business, Dr. Tabibi combines analytical rigor with entrepreneurial insight.
