The Entain Foundation US, the not-for-profit charitable trust of betting and gaming firm Entain, is to sponsor an educational initiative led by retired NBA legend Charles Oakley.
It will include education in responsible gambling with other forms of support to impoverished, underprivileged communities facing hunger, addiction, and economic challenges in cities across the US.
The sponsorship will provide both funding and expertise in preventing and mitigating problem gambling to the Oak Out Hunger initiative. Consequently, for the first time, education in responsible gambling will sit alongside other community services provided by the Charles Oakley Foundation, including anti-addiction and education programs.
Beginning early next year, the program will operate in US cities including Los Angeles, New York, Buffalo, Philadelphia and New Orleans, to coincide with major sporting events including the Super Bowl and March Madness.
The campaign will also visit further cities and towns home to universities including Indiana University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Martin Lycka, Entain Senior VP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, and |Trustee of the Entain Foundation US, explained: “As sports betting takes off across many US states, we’re committed to do all we can to ensure that people only bet what they can afford – which is especially important in more deprived communities.
“The Oak Out Hunger campaign is truly unique – and effective – in providing essential services to impoverished and underprivileged urban communities across the US. The Oakley Foundation is an ideal partner to help us reach those in most need with education on responsible gambling.”
Oakley added: “It’s all about giving back to people who are trying to get through life. I go all over. And you see people hanging out on the streets, nowhere to get a meal, some of whom use what little money they have to fund addictions. Our program is about helping to break that cycle. Give them a chance and a good meal. Meet some different people and have a good time.”
With the Entain Foundation US sponsorship, the Charles Oakley Foundation and Oak Out Hunger campaign join other nationally and globally recognized partners who collaborate with Entain to prevent and combat potentially harmful behaviors among at-risk populations.
Entain and its two sister foundations, the Entain Foundation and the Entain Foundation US, operate some of the world’s most innovative and comprehensive portfolios of programs designed to prevent and mitigate problem gambling.
For example, a free app, developed by Entain, called “Gamble Responsibly America”, is available through the App Store and Google Play, with no branding or commercial promotion.
