The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has received the largest grant in the organisation’s nearly 50-year history as part of a ‘transformative’ partnership with the National Football League Foundation (NFLF).
The three-year grant, totaling $6.2 million over three years, looks to enable NCPG to ‘significantly upgrade’ its National Problem Gambling Helpline.
Anna Isaacson, NFL’s Senior VP of Social Responsibility, commented: “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.”
Furthermore, the deal promises to provide grants to non-profit organisations 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.
“NCPG’s Board of Directors looks forward to working with NCPG staff to maximize the opportunities this partnership with the NFL provides. 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,” NCPG Board President Maureen Greeley noted.
In addition to the NFL’s grant to NCPG, the league 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.
“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,” Greenley added.
The core message of the campaign’s creative is; ‘Stick to your game plan. Always bet responsibly’. The advertising looks to encourage sports bettors to visit NCPG’s www.responsibleplay.org site.
In addition, the NFL has agreements with its 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 ‘robust’ responsible gambling programs.
