The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) on Wednesday said it has received the largest grant in the organization’s nearly 50-year history as part of a transformative partnership with the National Football League Foundation (NFLF).
The parties said in a statement the grant, which will total $6.2m over three years, will enable NCPG to “significantly upgrade” its National Problem Gambling Helpline, provide grants to nonprofit organizations across the country for problem gambling prevention programs, and launch communications initiatives that focus on responsible gambling and where to get help for gambling addiction, including public service announcement and its new website, www.responsibleplay.org.
In addition to the NFL’s grant to NCPG, the league said it is launching an integrated campaign that 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 campaign's creative is “Stick to Your Game Plan. Always Bet Responsibly.” The advertising will encourage sports betters to visit NCPG’s www.responsibleplay.org site.
In addition, the NFL has agreements with its official sports betting partners (Caesars Entertainment, Draft Kings, and FanDuel) to collaborate on information sharing and support the NFL’s responsible gaming efforts, which include developing its own robust responsible gambling programs.
According to the NCPG, the US Supreme Court’s decision in 2018 that allowed states to legalize sports betting, which previously was limited to Las Vegas and New Jersey, brought a need to do more in responsible gambling and problem gambling.
The organization noted more than 30 states currently allow sports betting, and said it is likely more will follow in the future. The NCPG said the pandemic exacerbated the issue, as evidenced by recent public opinion surveys.
Earlier this year, NCPG released results from The National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences (NGAGE) 1.0. Among the findings: Sports bettors exhibit far more “problematic play” indicators than non-sports bettors, including “lied to hide gambling” and “relied on others to pay debts or bills.” The organization said younger players (under age 35) appear to be at higher risk for gambling problems, and many people who gamble do not understand the way gambling works.
“NCPG’s board of directors looks forward to working with NCPG staff to maximize the opportunities this partnership with the NFL provides,” NCPG board president Maureen Greeley said in a statement. “Broadening our awareness, outreach and innovative prevention efforts with partners across the country allows us to help people understand that gambling is a recreation with risks. Understanding the risks is key to keeping gambling fun. When gambling becomes a problem, knowing the resources for help is crucial. This support from the NFL helps us elevate our responsible gambling programs and meet our goals to reach those we serve.”
Keith Whyte, NCPG executive director, added: “The National Council on Problem Gambling advocates for the strongest possible responsible gambling and problem gambling measures to be enacted. However, because the federal government doesn’t use any of the more than $7bn in federal taxes from gambling operators to treat or study this hidden addiction, our capabilities have been somewhat constrained. Thanks to our groundbreaking relationship with the NFL, we now have more resources to significantly boost our efforts.”
Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president, social responsibility, said: “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling to advance responsible betting support and prevention across the country. The NFL has a long history of community engagement and advocating for issues that impact the NFL family and the broader society at large. It is critical that we use the NFL’s platform and resources to support the NCPG’s mission as they expand and upgrade their impactful, nationwide services.”
