GVC to educate US athletes on problem gambling
New program in partnership with EPIC Risk Management will see $2.5m allocated to the cause
Roar Digital JV parent GVC Holdings is establishing a problem gambling education program for athletes in the US.
Sessions will tackle the issues of problem gambling and integrity among athletes and will receive up to $2.5m in financing over the course of two years.
The program is developed in partnership with leading independent gambling harm minimization consultancy EPIC Risk Management.
It will run in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, North Carolina, Colorado Washington DC and New England.
GVC Foundation US trustee Bill Pascrell said: “There’s no better way to address problem gambling than by combining hard-hitting, lived experience with industry research and expertise.
“By addressing athletes and other at-risk groups throughout the country, we’ll aim to implement the cultural change needed for the protection of at-risk gamblers and growth of the industry as a whole,” Pascrell added.
Martin Lycka, director of regulatory affairs at GVC, said: “As the leading provider of advisory and education in problem gambling, EPIC Risk Management has done extraordinary work in Europe.
“Our partnership with EPIC in locations throughout the US will continue that impactful mission,” he added.
Elsewhere, the American Gaming Authority has launched a national ad campaign in major sports venues educating fans on the four principles of responsible gambling.
Washington State has also pledged to review its problem gambling resources and invest further into the cause.