Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Responsible Gaming
• Supply Chain and Procurement
• Anti-corruption and Anti-bribery
• Anti-Money Laundering
• Information Security and Data Protection
• Environmental Sustainability
• Human Rights and Diversity

Environmental Achievements

• Designed new head office (Bořislavka Centrum) incorporating LEED Gold certificate criteria, energy-saving lighting, rainwater collection, emission-minimizing parking, and elevator energy recuperation.
• Optimized energy consumption across operating companies (data provided for Austria, Czech Republic, and Greece, but not consistently quantified).

Social Achievements

• Supported various sports initiatives across Austria, Czech Republic, and Greece, including funding for amateur and professional sports, youth sports programs, and sports academies.
• Implemented corporate volunteering programs (CASAG) and community support initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic (CASAG, SAZKA a.s., OPAP).
• Renovated children's hospitals in Greece (OPAP).
• Supported small and medium-sized enterprises in Greece (OPAP Forward program).

Governance Achievements

• Adopted a comprehensive compliance system focusing on anti-bribery and anti-money laundering measures, including employee training, KYC procedures, and a whistleblowing line.
• Achieved ISO 37001 certification (anti-bribery management system) for CASAG.
• Implemented and maintained robust information security and data protection systems, including ISO 27001 and WLA-SCS certifications (CASAG, SAZKA a.s., OPAP).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and social initiatives.
• Data limitations in environmental reporting for CASAG.
• Improving diversity metrics, particularly the ratio of women in senior management.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented various measures to secure jobs during the pandemic, including severance models and social compensation plans.
• Ongoing efforts to improve data quality and reporting for environmental metrics.
• Commitment to improving diversity and inclusion within the company.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• CSR criteria and guidelines for procurement of advertising and marketing materials (CASAG)
• Transparent tenders and long-term relationships with suppliers (SAZKA a.s.)
• Focus on supplier diversity and equality (OPAP)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: World Lottery Association (WLA) Responsible Gaming Standards, European Lottery Association (EL) Responsible Gaming Standards, European Commission Guidelines on non-financial reporting

Certifications: WLA Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification, European Casino Association Responsible Gaming Standard (CASAG), ISO 37001 (CASAG), ISO 27001 (CASAG, SAZKA a.s., OPAP), WLA-SCS: 2016 Security Control Standard (Austrian Lotteries, SAZKA a.s., OPAP), ISO 9001:2015 (CASAG)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Playing Responsibly
• Partnering for Impact
• Empowering People
• Respecting the Planet

Environmental Achievements

• CASAG Group was recertified for the ONR 192500 (Austrian CSR certification based on ISO 26000)
• SAZKA’s office complex achieved LEED Gold International Certification
• SAZKA eliminated single-use plastics across all its offices
• Tipp3 (CASAG subsidiary) developed an upcycling initiative for advertising materials

Social Achievements

• €32.4 million spent directly on good causes across all markets in 2021
• SAZKA ranked amongst top employers in the Czech Republic in 2021
• OPAP awarded Bronze for ‘COVID-19: Resources for the workplace’ at the 2021 Health and Safety Awards
• OPAP awarded Bronze for ‘Most innovative use of Technology in HR’ at the Human Resources awards 2021
• Austrian Lotteries received a Careers Best Recruiters award
• OPAP Group awarded with the European Lotteries Certificate of Alignment with Responsible Gaming Standards
• CASAG Group received recertification in line with the Responsible Gaming Standards developed by the European Casino Association (ECA)

Governance Achievements

• Strengthened governance with CEO Robert Chvatal taking on responsibility for ESG strategy
• Established an Audit Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act
• All lottery businesses hold the highest certification level (Level 4) delivered by the WLA

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Unstructured and incoherent strategy and approach to player protection and responsible gaming
• Detrimental exposure to reputational, regulatory and legal risks due to failure to comply with responsible gaming applicable laws, standards and regulations
• Failure to maximise the impact of funding and support to communities
• Ineffective and fragmented dialogue and engagement with stakeholders
• Adverse impact on staff health, wellbeing and motivation
• Reputational risk exposure resulting from failure to consider and manage diversity and inclusion
• Vulnerability to acute weather events and chronic shifts in climate patterns
• Exposure to supply and demand volatility from changes in policies, technology, societal and market dynamics
• Vulnerability to financial loss or enforcement actions due to potential misconduct
• Legal or regulatory sanctions or loss to reputation due to failure to comply with laws, regulations

Mitigation Strategies

• Responsible Gaming Policy, rigorous product and distribution guidelines
• Robust data analysis and assessments, monitoring and intervention procedures
• Close cooperation, transparent communication and timely engagement with all stakeholders
• Programmes and initiatives designed to enhance motivation and create a positive working environment
• Leadership driven diversity and inclusion outcomes
• Robust business continuity, disaster recovery and crisis management response plans
• Risk transfer mechanisms (insurance)
• Continuous product innovation
• Proactive approach to monitoring and addressing Code of Conduct and Charters failures
• Robust and pervasive compliance and risk culture

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Support for local businesses
• Supplier Code of Conduct (Austria)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Acute weather events (heatwaves, floods, wildfires and storms)
• Chronic shifts in climate patterns

Transition Risks

• Changes in policies, technology, societal and market dynamics

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (target for 2022), SASB Standards (target for 2022), TCFD Metrics (target for 2022)

Certifications: WLA Level 4 Responsible Gaming Framework, ONR 192500, LEED Gold International Certification

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Awards & Recognition

• Careers Best Recruiters award (Austrian Lotteries)
• OPAP named Sports Brand of the Year and Best Sponsorship Program
• CASAG Group received several awards highlighting its commitment to attracting and retaining talent

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Player safety
• Social impact
• Employee well-being
• Environmental sustainability
• Governance and compliance

Environmental Achievements

• Developed a baseline dataset for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, covering CO2, waste, energy use, and water consumption.
• Set an interim target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 (compared to 2021 baseline).

Social Achievements

• Increased direct financial donations and sponsorships by €5 million compared to the previous year.
• Increased volunteering days from 34 in 2021 to 154 in 2022.
• Renovated two children's hospitals in Greece.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Rapid international growth making data collection challenging.
• Need to improve data collection, develop baselines and targets, align with the GRI framework, and further formalise ESG reporting.
• Ensuring safer play and minimizing player harm.
• Balancing business growth with environmental responsibility.

Mitigation Strategies

• Established a Group-wide working group to harmonize ESG approaches and implement initiatives.
• Developed a Group-wide Sustainability Policy.
• Implemented AI-powered tools to detect and prevent problem play.
• Set interim Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction target of 30% by 2030.
• Partnered with certification bodies to assess baseline carbon footprint.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Ensuring responsible procurement practices.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events

Transition Risks

• Volatility in supply chain due to transition to more environmentally friendly economy.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Certification (Level 4), ONR 192500 (Austria)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Unspecified SDGs related to environmental sustainability and social impact

The report mentions alignment with several SDGs, but doesn't provide detailed explanations for each.

Awards & Recognition

• European Lotteries Innovation Awards 2022 (5th place for Safety Net Algorithm and Customer Service Robot)
• HR Awards for innovative use of technology in HR (Greece)
• HR Awards 22 Bronze distinction in “Excellence in Leadership Development” (Greece)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Responsible Gaming
• Social Impact
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Environmental Sustainability
• Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

Environmental Achievements

• Submitted commitment letter to SBTi to establish a science-based target; committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 (interim target)
• Austria office redesign achieved 60%+ energy savings with LED lighting
• Austria casino installed solar panels generating 130,000 kWh annually
• Greece market financed energy-saving initiatives in retail stores
• UK market continued progress towards net-zero lottery, including using recyclable and FSC-certified paper for scratchcards

Social Achievements

• Launched global partnership with Wings for Life World Run, contributing to €5.8 million raised for spinal cord research
• Greece market launched Stoiximan Wheels of Change program providing 80 custom wheelchairs
• Austria market continued funding of Austrian sports associations
• Czech market funded state-of-the-art MRI scanner
• Increased staff volunteering days to 381 from 154 in 2022

Governance Achievements

• Completed double materiality assessment in preparation for CSRD reporting
• Updated Group Code of Conduct
• More than doubled the size of the compliance team
• Implemented a new independent whistleblower hotline service
• Appointed first designated data protection officer

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Slower than planned progress toward unified Group standards due to onboarding new markets
• Delay in defining a formal process for calculating social impact
• Need for further work on gender equality
• Challenges in calculating Scope 3 emissions

Mitigation Strategies

• Appointed Group Head of Responsible Gaming
• Developing Group-wide responsible gaming KPIs and strategy
• Developing a unified strategy for continuous employee listening
• Activating partnership with More than Equal for DEI
• Working to establish a standardized methodology for collecting and calculating Scope 3 emissions data

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Use of FSC-certified paper
• Social value questionnaire for prospective suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events

Transition Risks

• Volatility in supply chain

Opportunities

• Energy efficiency improvements

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: WLA Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification (most markets)

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Initiatives contribute to these goals through emissions reduction, responsible resource management, and support for Good Causes

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards: Innovation in Responsible Gaming
• Various awards for being a good place to work (Greece, Austria, Czech Republic, US)