NHL Alumni Association prioritizes RG via Entain Foundation agreement

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The NHL Alumni Association has signed an agreement with BetMGM joint parent group Entain Foundation US to support and promote safer gambling efforts.

The three-year agreement ensures that Entain will become the official responsible gaming partner of the group, which was set up in 1999 to advocate for and support former NHL stars. 

Practically, the Entain Foundation will make provisions to the health and wellbeing programs that the NHLAA offers and will make its RG education available to all members of the association. 

“The NHLAA is proud to be entering this new partnership with Entain Foundation and our team is aligned with their vision of promoting responsible gaming research and education tools to sports fans,” said Glenn Healy, President & Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association.

“We look forward to using the collective voice of our NHL Alumni members, each of which have paved the way for the game we love today, to champion safe gambling practices for all.”

This news comes as athletes’ relationship with betting being in the news recently after five Detroit Lions stars were banned from the NFL after breaking the league’s gambling policies.

This incident raised questions over how athletes are protected from gambling, something also explored in the last year through the Calvin Ridley episode, after he admitted having mental health issues that led to his gambling.

Therefore, this partnership will come as a welcome step into offering RG education to athletes as well as having support available from one of the biggest global operators. 

The NHLAA, Entertain Foundation US and Wager Score will develop an education program, coming off the back of Entain’s collaboration with Wager Wire on a pilot program for gambling affordability in Ontario.

“Entain Foundation US is proud to support the NHL Alumni Association and its members,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation US.

“As sports betting continues to grow in popularity throughout North America, it is crucial that we expand our educational efforts. This new partnership reflects this importance and will ensure that NHL Alumni and fans can gain access to impactful, educational programs on how to avoid gambling harm.”