As ÖTILLÖ started from a bet between four friends to swim and run 75 km in the Stockholm archipelago, it’s no shocker to hear about its recent 2018-2020 international partnership with an online gaming company.
What is perhaps surprising, however, is that the agreement between ÖTILLÖ and Mr Green, the responsible “gentleman of online gaming” founded in 2007, is to focus on a #cleantheocean campaign.
Mr Green’s CEO Jesper Kärrbrink is, like many of his colleagues, a passionate water sport enthusiast. “Every time I go into the ocean, I see traces of what humans leave behind and it is truly saddening,” says Jesper, who competed in the ÖTILLÖ World Championship in 2009 and 2014.
Mr Green has made concentrated efforts to leave a green footprint in its operational markets. “It’s an important part of our Sustainability Strategy and as we operate a great part of our business out of Malta, the ocean and its health status becomes very clear.”
Mr Green’s #cleantheocean initiative kick-started with the University of Malta in 2017, with a voluntary employee program to clean the waters around the archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast.
Students from the university come along to take water samples to check the level of microplastics – those that are about the size of a sesame seed – and to locate plastic hotspots around the shorelines, which they then share with local authorities.
“It’s quite simple,” Jesper, who believes that sustainability is the foundation for everything from a profitable business to a healthy lifestyle, states. “The oceans are the essence of life, but unfortunately our actions are destroying them and we are running out of time to do something about it.
“Showing respect to nature is also showing respect to the people around you since it affects us all.”
ÖTILLÖ, which actively engages in a leave-no-footprint approach, from a zero tolerance litter policy during races to removing paper cups from its events, shares this passion for creating?awareness about respecting nature.
“The environment in which we swim is of utmost importance to us,” says Michael Lemmel, Cofounder of ÖTTILÖ. “For this reason, on the Friday of every race weekend we will hold a #cleantheocean activity along with the local community.
“Together we can do lots of good things.”
About Mr Green
Mr Green is the leading company in the green gaming industry, having won the SBC Responsible Bookmaker of the Year 2017, Global Gaming Corporate Responsibility Provider of the Year 2018, and IGA Socially Responsible Operator of the Year 2018.
In 2017 the company took its commitment to creating a fun and safe green gaming environment a step further with a Green Gaming predictive tool.
“Due to the data protection laws, this is currently a voluntary service,” Jesper clarifies, “that we offer to all our players across all Mr Green markets.”
Using the smart digital tools to collect data allows Mr Green to set limits or cut off its sales driving communication, as well as take other more direct actions to support each player.
The company is happy with the results so far stating the the opt-in rate of active players is growing across markets according to plan – and that this is the first step as they continue to develop tools to support a healthy gaming behaviour. A new tool for players of sport betting should be in place by summer 2018.
For more on green gaming, see greengaming.com.
For more information about Mr Green: https://www.mrgreen.com/en/
Article first published in Swimrun Life Magazine Issue #7 (May 2018)
