The National Football League (NFL) has made a multi-million-dollar commitment to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) as part of a new league-wide responsible betting public awareness program.
Designed to educate fans about betting on sports responsibly, the campaign will focus on the tagline ‘Stick to Your Game Plan. Always Bet Responsibly’, encouraging fans to only gamble with licensed operators and make use of after betting tools.
The project will see the NFL expand its long-standing partnership with the NCPG, with new funding from the league to enable the NCPG to launch a national grant program to fund enhanced services offered by both local and state-wide providers, as well as prevention programs.
The NFL said its support will also help transform the national problem gambling helpline system and allow for the development of improved communications tools, including a new website that will provide consumers with advice about betting safely and support resources for those in need.
The program will be rolled out across online channels, in-stadium, social media and in print, as well as on national and local television across the US, including broadcast partners and NFL owned-and-operated media channels.
In addition, the NFL is working with league franchises to spread awareness and education at 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,” NFL executive vice president Christopher Halpin said. “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 executive director Keith Whyte added: “With this partnership, we are able to exponentially enhance the NCPG’s ability to provide advocacy, awareness, and assistance on problem gambling.
“The NFL’s far-reaching initiative demonstrates its strong commitment to being an industry leader in raising awareness. The league’s support of our advocacy efforts will help fund new communications initiatives, such as ResponsiblePlay.org and a PSA about problem gambling, expand gambling prevention services where they are most needed, and modernize our National Problem Gambling Helpline operations with updated capabilities.”