A trio of major leagues are uniting together for the release of a new responsible gambling campaign targeted at US bettors.
The NHL, NBA, and MLB released a new commercial spot on Tuesday that will debut during the NBA In-Season Tournament match-up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday evening at 7:30pm ET.
Titled “Never Know What’s Next”, the spot was made in cooperation with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) as well as operators DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and ESPN Bet.
“Working with our fellow sports leagues, gaming operator partners, and responsible gaming partners gives added weight – particularly for young bettors – to this shared priority of making an impact on responsible gaming education across the United States,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Senior Vice President Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures. “Ensuring fans are aware of the inherent risk if they choose to bet and correcting the misconception that betting on sports is a good way to make money are integral to the NBA’s approach to legal sports betting.”
In addition to directing bettors to the resource ResponsiblePlay.org the PSA reaffirms that sports are, by nature, unpredictable, so no bettor is going to win all the time.
“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this important campaign alongside the NBA, NHL, and our operator partners,” said Casey Brett, MLB Senior Vice President, Business Development. “It’s paramount that when our fans bet, they know how to do so responsibly – and this initiative is just one small but important part of our continued commitment to ensuring sports betting stays safe for all who choose to wager.”
“This campaign continues our ongoing commitment to educating fans about the importance of responsible betting,” added Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Business Officer. “With more fans than ever having the opportunity to legally bet in their home states, it is imperative that we work with our media and sportsbook partners, as well as with our friends at the NBA and MLB, to inform and emphasize the risks and encourage the importance of setting limits and betting responsibly, especially among our growing fanbase in the younger demographic.”
This is not the first time major leagues have gotten involved in responsible gambling. Two years ago, the NFL debuted a PSA of its own, called Stick to Your Game Plan.
