NCAA Pledges New Responsible Gambling Education Sessions for Student-Athletes

• U.S. Colleges are Improving Student-Athletes’ Awareness of Gambling Risks

• Entain Fdn. Pledges $132 million in Responsible Gambling Initiatives Over the Next 5 Years

• Responsible Gambling Must Occur on Both Sides of the Wager

U.S. Colleges are Improving Student-Athletes’ Awareness of Gambling Risks

Ever since May 2018 when it first became legal for U.S. states to regulate and tax their own sports betting markets for resident gamblers, a major pushback issue that opponents have been double downing on has been the fear of a resulting increase in problem gambling.

That’s the nice way to say, ‘gambling addiction,’ which is a serious drawback to an otherwise exciting and lucrative U.S. sports betting industry that has already created a multi-billion dollar handle which in turn has generated a new tax revenue stream in over thirty states and counting.

That thriving industry has also increased the temptation for those Americans battling an addiction to wagering, a major downside that the NCAA has just promised to address having recently vowed to improve student-athletes' awareness of gambling risks and potential harm.

The NCAA has pledged to do this by facilitating new responsible gambling education sessions for student-athletes across the country through its partnership with Entain Foundation U.S. and EPIC Risk Management, a group effort designed to battle gambling addiction head-on.

NCAA Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs Stan Wilcox told the media:

“The risks associated with sports wagering are abundant, and the education provided by EPIC Risk Management is invaluable for student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and officials. We appreciate the teamwork to help protect the integrity of college sports and the well-being of everyone involved.”

And the Entain Foundation will be footing the bill.

Entain Fdn. Pledges $132 million in Responsible Gambling Initiatives Over the Next 5 Years

Entain Foundation U.S. is a first-of-its-kind non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity, and corporate compliance in the U.S.

Entain Senior VP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, Martin Lycka, explained to the press his company’s role in this new partnership:

“Entain Foundation U.S. is proud to support EPIC Risk Management on the face-to-face delivery of problem gambling awareness and player protection workshops to NCAA college athletes across the country.”

By “support,” Entain V.P. Lycka is referring to the $132 million his company has pledged in Responsible Gambling initiatives over the next 5 years, a generous investment in curbing the potential abuse that legalized sports gambling might inadvertently create.

John Millington, Director of Sports Partnerships with EPIC Risk Management, a global leading independent gambling harm minimization consultancy, explains why his company feels obligated to participate:

“There is a collective responsibility to ensure the minimization of potential gambling harms, and the promotion of player safety. Our collaboration with Entain Foundation U.S. represents a key strategic piece of our prevention pillar, and it is great that so many organizations are recognizing the importance of education and awareness for this potentially high-risk population.”

It is a positive move meant to curb dangerous behavior before it ever surfaces, a job that gamblers must also pledge to work on.

Responsible Gambling Must Occur on Both Sides of the Wager

Neutralizing the effects of problem gambling in the U.S. must be the shared goal of all parties on both sides of the wager, meaning this is the responsibility of the industry as well as the actual bettors who must take accountability for their choices.

For those who need outside help, it exists as we have previously reported in How to Gamble Responsibly, According to the Experts, this a necessary consideration if this new U.S. legal sports betting industry is to truly continue to thrive.