Entain Foundation US has announced that its first collection of ‘Superheroes of Responsible Gambling’ NFTs, featuring former NBA All-Star Charles Oakley, are now up for auction.
Created by the non-profit organization, the NFTs have been produced to educate and raise awareness among online gaming patrons and tech-savvy audiences about problem gambling and how to prevent and mitigate it as sports betting continues to spread across the US.
The Superheroes series is the Entain Foundation’s second NFT series launch, as the Foundation created its first series depicting the nine markers of disordered gambling back in June.
Wager Score, a free, real-time online gamblers’ financial health service, partnered with the foundation to create the NFTs, in correlation with the non-profit’s free responsible gambling app, Gamble Responsibly.
Designed by Enlighting Media, the Superhero NFTs are described as “a group of sharp, brightly colored 2D designs and GIFs that represent superhero characters with the visage of prominent leaders and themes of the Responsible Gambling movement in the US”.
The superheroes team is led by Oakley, who has helped bring awareness to responsible gambling through his OakOut Hunger campaign, which serves free meals in disadvantaged communities and encourages urban youth and adults to resist substance abuse as they pursue education and economic development opportunities.
The NFT’s auction can be viewed on OpenSea, with the proceeds going to the Charles Oakley Foundation.
The superheroes team includes Martin Lycka, Entain Senior Vice President for North American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling; Bo Grey, Founder of Wager Score; Brianne Doura-Schawohl, international responsible gambling consultant; and international gambling regulatory expert Bill Pascrell, III, Esq. (BP3), a partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group.
Lycka described the Superheroes as “colorful, strong, and high-energy leaders who bring their expertise, prominence, and endorsement to Responsible Gambling”.
He added: “These NFTs are a creative and fun way to promote the very serious message of Responsible Gambling to all audiences,” he explained, “using methods, tools, and programming that are attuned to today’s technology and communications.”
Oakley agreed with Lycka, stating: “My post-NBA work is focused on preventing problems among underserved groups. This is one way to reach people where they are, using tools that they use, to provide a positive message about responsible gambling.”
The Superheroes’ NFT identities include:
- Charles, the Limits Enforcer – Originally a Cleveland boy, the undisputed King of balling New York, Charles, the Limits Enforcer hovers above the ground and wields his potent shield to defend wise limits choices folks have made.
- Martin, the RG Preacher – Import from the East, trained in the arts of oratory and evangelization, Martin the RG Preacher deploys his cerebral powers to educate folks about healthy gambling patterns.
- Bo, the Affordability Man – A fellow Buckeye State bro, master of marketing and publicity computing, Bo, the Affordability Man uses a super-duper software engine to determine whether other bros have the means to play.
- Brianne, the Helpline Wizardress – A spirited New Englander, schooled on the Hill and elsewhere in the craft of advocacy, Brianne, the Helpline Wizardress has many spells up her sleeve to connect the gambling nation with a line of helpers.
- BP3, the Timeout Doctor – A Garden State man of humble origins, third of his name, skilled in all things electioneering, BP3, the Timeout Doctor nurtures magical powers to call a timeout on people’s play in the event of misjudgment.
“Whatever we can do to take the RG message to new and diverse groups is a plus,” Doura-Schawohl noted.
“This can only help to shape public attitudes and public policy and I’m happy to participate in such a novel approach.”
Pascrell added: “I’ve seen responsible gambling programs from all over the world, and this one is, by far, the most creative.
“The industry offers a host of RG programs that take very traditional paths for reaching at-risk groups. They’re all constructive, but this one is indeed unique.”
Grey concluded: “It’s a completely different take on a topic that deserves every creative advantage.”
