The National Football League (NFL) yesterday unveiled the launch of its first responsible sports wagering public awareness program. The campaign is intended to educate fans who want to become sports wagers as legal sportsbooks continue to balloon across the United States.
Developed in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), the NFL has committed $6.2 to put in place measures to ensure its fans are wagering responsibly.
A website, www.responsibleplay.org, went live yesterday. The online site provides wagers with a host of educational resources designed to determine potential sports betting issues. The platform offers help for those in need and those seeking to assist family members and friends whose gambling might have become rampant.
“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 chief strategy and growth officer Christopher Halpin explained.
The Responsible Play platform features a display tool where wagers can assess whether they develop a sports betting issue. In addition, there is a live online chat 24/7, 365 days.
The NFL’s Official Sports Betting Partners, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars, have each concurred to help create awareness to people regarding the Responsible Play website.
Sports wagering growth
Twenty-six states and the Columbia District have legal, managed sportsbooks up and running. Some additional states have passed gambling legislation, though they have not yet started operations.
After decades of opposition, the NFL has welcomed sports wagering following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that gave states the right to access the legality of sports wagering.
Sportsbook advertising is now allowed in and around the NFL. Television breaks during games contain commercials from entities such as FanDuel, Caesars, and DraftKings Sportsbook.
However, the professional football league states resources for the small percentage of sports wagers who develop gambling addictions on point spreads and money lines are insufficient.
“We recognize that responsible betting programs across the country are under-resourced, especially legalization spreads nationwide,”
Halpin added.
“In collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling and our commercial partners, the league is fully committed to advancing responsible betting awareness, education, and problem-gambling support.”
The NFL stated Responsible Play was designed based on research and fan input.
“The goal of the platform is to establish a clear tone and stance that provides fans who choose to engage in sports betting with an opportunity to raise awareness about responsible betting tactics and resources,”
explained an NFL statement to Casino.org.
The American Gaming Association forecast 45 million Americans to wager on an NFL game this year.
Program specifics
The NFL’s Responsible Play platform is specifically designed to educate gamblers concerning the risks associated with sports betting. The online site informs readers that they should be ready to lose, treat sports wagering as a way of entertainment and not a form to make money, and never borrow money to wager.
The NFL acknowledges that for the majority of adults, gambling can be an enjoyable and entertaining experience. But the league adds that there are risks involved, and it is critical to understand the risks and plan before someone places their initial bet.
The NFL’s responsible betting program comes as sports wagering continues to expand. In September, New Jersey oddsmakers became the first to generate more than $1 billion in bets in the US in one month.
Handle, or the amount wagered, has grown significantly in New Jersey since such sports betting became legal there in 2018. New Jersey is currently the US sports wagering capital.
- September 2018: $184M
- September 2019: $445M
- September 2020: $748M
- September 2021: $1.01B
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