NBA targets responsible gambling with new American Gaming Association agreement
Basketball governing body links up with gambling trade body on Have A Game Plan campaign
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has signed up to join the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) national responsible gambling public service campaign.
The ‘Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly’ campaign aims to educate individuals at a national level about responsible gambling through advertising and already has partner organizations in a number of high-profile US sports and the wider gambling industry.
Key among the tenets of the campaign are an emphasis on the legal market, as well as keeping betting social, setting budgets, and knowing the odds involved.
Under the partnership, the NBA and AGA will educate basketball fans on the fundamentals of responsible sports wagering by providing turnkey resources for use by the league’s 30 teams.
Campaign content will include in-venue, broadcast, digital, and social media activations.
Current NBA responsible gambling-related initiatives include public service announcements featuring Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen, which air during NBA games.
In addition, the basketball governing body operates restrictions on sports betting advertisements and an “opt-in” service, which provides educational initiatives targeting fan engagement such as NBABet and NBABet Stream, offering them the option to receive sports betting news and analysis across league platforms.
The NBA is also a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
NBA SVP, head of gaming and new business ventures Scott Kaufman-Ross welcomed the new partnership as providing augmentation to the NBA’s existing efforts.
“Responsible gaming is an integral component of the NBA’s approach to legal sports betting,” Kaufman-Ross said.
“Working with the AGA on this initiative is an important part of our multi-faceted approach to this critical topic and will provide our teams with tools to make a true impact on responsible gaming education in NBA markets across the US and Canada,” he added.
Current ‘Have A Game Plan’ partners include the NHL, Nascar, the PGA Tour, and the MLB as well as teams including the New York Knicks, Jets, and Rangers.
The industry is represented by operators including Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and Rush Street Interactive.
“As one of the world’s most popular leagues, the NBA will bring ‘Have A Game Plan’s’ important message to a massive audience,” AGA SVP Casey Clark said.
“It’s critical that the entire sports betting ecosystem is united in our commitment to responsible gaming, and we are grateful for the NBA’s leadership in these efforts,” he added.