Advocacy, Awareness, Assistance: NFL Launches ‘Extensive’ Bet Responsibly Effort
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 09:11PM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
October 20, 2021: The NFL today unveiled what was called an “extensive, integrated league-wide responsible betting public awareness program designed to educate fans who choose to engage in sports betting to do so responsibly.”
According to the NFL, “The key message encourages people to play responsibly by sticking to a game plan, including setting a budget to know their limits; using licensed, regulated operators; and asking for help if they need it."
The core message of the $6 million-plus effort: “Stick to Your Game Plan. Always Bet Responsibly.”
The NFL has seven official partners in the sports betting category.
As part of this initiative, the NFL said it has made a multimillion-dollar, multi-year commitment to significantly expand its long-standing partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling advocacy group.
More than 45 million people in the U.S. say they plan to bet on NFL games this season, an increase of 36% from last year, according to the American Gaming Assn.
Beginning today, NFL's responsible betting initiative rolls out across platforms including online, in-stadium, social media and in print.
Later this year, the program will run on national and local TV, including broadcast partners and NFL owned-and-operated media channels.
The NFL said it is working with clubs to spread awareness and education at the local level.
"We feel it is critical that the NFL uses the power of our voice to educate and encourage fans who choose to bet to do so in a safe and responsible way," Christopher Halpin, NFL evp, chief strategy and growth officer, said via the league.
"We also recognize that responsible betting programs across the country are under-resourced, especially as legalization spreads nationwide. Collectively, all of us in the sports and betting industries need to learn from international examples and make sure the development of education and support programs matches the state-by-state growth in legalized sports betting.”
NCPG said the NFL’s funding would enable it to launch a “national grant program to fund enhanced services offered by local and statewide providers, as well as innovative prevention programs, including expansion of youth-facing curricula.”
"With this partnership, we are able to exponentially enhance the NCPG's ability to provide advocacy, awareness, and assistance on problem gambling,” Keith Whyte, NCPG executive director, said via the group.
“The NFL's far-reaching initiative demonstrates its strong commitment to being an industry leader in raising awareness.”
The league's support will also “transform the national problem gambling Helpline system and allow for the development of improved communications tools, including a new Web site, Responsibleplay.org, which will provide the public with quick tips about betting safely and support resources for those in need.”
The NFL said a vital part of its agreements with its official sports betting partners “is to collaborate with each partner on information sharing and support the NFL's responsible betting efforts.
The league said its sports betting partners have each developed "robust responsible gaming programs."
According to Halpin, “In collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling and our commercial partners, the league is fully committed to advancing responsible betting awareness, education, and problem-gambling support."
Record 45M+ Plan To Bet On NFL This Season
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