Responsible Gambling Education Month is here, and several North Carolina sports betting operators are stepping up with new programs and projects.
The American Gaming Association uses the September event to unite operators, players, lawmakers, and industry partners on responsible gambling.
Many North Carolina sports betting operators are participating to combat problem gambling.
AGA asks operators to take action during September
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has specific goals it wants to achieve during Responsible Gambling Education Month.
“This September, join the American Gaming Association and our members as we highlight the industry’s responsible gaming education efforts. Together, we can promote gaming literacy and consumer education, elevate employee training, and work with partners to advance our understanding of responsible gambling.”
The organization is asking operators to make specific efforts to promote responsible gambling in September.
- Place an op-ed in the local newspapers or through a media outlet.
- Reach out to local news to give a statement.
- Highlight its own responsible gaming efforts through different channels.
The AGA is asking players to promote responsible gambling on social media throughout the month and beyond.
The AGA wants lawmakers to either sign a proclamation recognizing Responsible Gambling Education Month or use its communication channels to amplify responsible gaming resources and highlight responsible gaming efforts.
Lastly, industry partners are being called upon to stop promoting illegal gambling websites, collaborate more with responsible gaming resources, and feature responsible gaming messaging on its public channels.
North Carolina sportsbooks take action
Some major sportsbooks that operate in North Carolina are working to combat problem gambling in September and create an environment that promotes responsible gambling practices.
MGM recognized as a leader
MGM Resorts and BetMGM Sportsbook have partnered directly with the AGA to promote Responsible Gambling Education Month. The partnership includes expanded responsible gambling marketing at NFL stadiums and further integration of GameSense to fight problem gambling tendencies.
BetMGM CCO Rhea Loney said responsible gambling is essential for sports betting to continue to grow as an industry.
“We’re excited to bring responsible gaming initiatives directly to fans in these NFL venues again this season. We are setting a new standard for safety and awareness in the industry. At BetMGM, we believe that protecting our players and promoting responsible play is essential to the future of sports betting.”
AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney said MGM is one of the leaders in responsible gambling.
“Collaboration is integral to strengthening our collective responsibility efforts. Both in their work with the AGA and throughout the legal, regulated gaming industry, MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue to be leaders in forming innovative partnerships that are advancing responsible gaming in meaningful ways.”
For our part, NCSharp has ranked BetMGM tops for the quality of its education content.
FanDuel launches new project
FanDuel Sportsbook launched a new project this month, “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting.” The goal is to give trusted adults the tools they need to communicate with young people about responsible gambling.
The program stems from a partnership between FanDuel and former NBA player Randy Livingston and sports agent Anita Smith. Livingston dealt with problem gambling, which is why he and Smith, his wife, wanted to work with FanDuel to help others who might be struggling.
Livingston said he wants to share his experience to help others.
“As legal sports betting continues to become more accessible, I knew I wanted to use my experience to help families engage in proactive and informed conversations about gambling. It became apparent to me and Anita that FanDuel shares our goal of helping parents navigate these tough, but important, conversations.”
Smith’s goal is to get those struggling with problem gambling to acknowledge that they need help.
“It is important to normalize conversations about gambling, and this program is intended to help families get comfortable with traditionally uncomfortable conversations. Randy and I are delighted to work with FanDuel to amplify the program’s content and drive positive outcomes for young people and anyone who may be struggling with problem gambling.”
Caesars encourages safe play
Caesars Entertainment outlined its efforts to promote responsible gambling in a release earlier this month.
In it, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg said his company has made investments to promote responsible play.
“Responsible gaming is at the heart of our business, and it’s imperative that we provide the best resources for our guests to encourage safe play. Through the hard work of our team members over the last 35 years, we’ve innovated and invested to provide guests with various tools and education opportunities and championing industry change. We’re proud to be a leader in responsible gaming and look forward to expanding our programming as the gaming industry evolves.”
As the longest-running operator in North Carolina (through its partnership with the state’s two Harrah’s casinos), Caesars Sportsbook has a strong working knowledge of the state’s sports betting userbase.
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