Major League Baseball partners with AGA on national responsible gambling campaign
Baseball’s governing body and gambling trade group to run RG public service announcements nationally across MLB assets
Major League Baseball has agreed to join the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) nationwide responsible gambling campaign, concluding a new partnership agreement.
The ‘Have A Game Plan, Bet Responsibly” public service campaign aims to educate individuals about responsible gambling. The AGA’s other partners include operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
Under the partnership, MLB has pledged to run responsible sports betting public service announcements across select MLB broadcast and digital media channels starting with the 2022 Postseason.
The league will also extend campaign participation opportunities to all 30 MLB clubs.
In return, the AGA will provide expertise and guidance aimed at improving league-wide responsible gambling knowledge via annual training on best practice points and benchmarking.
“Welcoming Major League Baseball as a Have A Game Plan partner is a milestone for the campaign and responsible gaming efforts nationwide,” said AGA SVP Casey Clark said.
“MLB understands that as legal sports betting grows so does our collective commitment to responsibility.
“This partnership will have a meaningful impact, teaching fans across the country the fundamentals of responsible wagering,” Clark added.
In addition to concluding the AGA partnership, the MLB has expanded its relationship with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), with the league now serving as a Platinum Member and part of the group’s leadership circle.
The MLB was the first professional sports league to join the NCPG in 2005.
As a member of the RG advocacy group’s leadership circle, the MLB will now work with NCPG executive director Keith Whyte on problem gambling initiatives, while also promoting the NCPG’s National Problem Gambling Helpline across all of MLB’s media platforms.
Speaking about the leadership circle addition, NCPG executive director Whyte paid tribute to the league’s stance on combating problem gambling.
“We applaud MLB’s ongoing commitment to addressing problem gambling and look forward to their expanded efforts to support responsible gambling education to fans and families across the country,” Whyte said.
“MLB’s extensive reach will make a significant impact in raising awareness of the National Problem Gambling Helpline and the resources available for treatment,” he added.
MLB executive VP of business development Kenny Gersh echoed many of Whyte’s comments.
“As legalized wagering continues to grow across the country, MLB is committed to ensuring that fans who choose to wager also have the tools and resources necessary to bet responsibly,” Gersh explained.