The MLB has formed a partnership with EPIC Global Solutions and the Entain Foundation US to help educate minor league players on the risks of gambling harm.
Under the terms of the deal, the newly rebranded EPIC will provide the MLB’s minor league players with lived experience educational sessions focusing on responsible gambling and wider mental health initiatives.
“We believe that EPIC’s impressive program facilitators, including an ex-minor leaguer, will communicate critical insights on gambling harm prevention in relatable and compelling ways,” said Quest Meeks, Vice President, Sports Betting & Compliance at MLB.
“Our younger minor league players in particular are coming into the league at a time when mobile sports betting is an increasingly prominent part of the sports ecosystem. We want to help those players avoid gambling-related pitfalls that can derail not only their careers, but also their day-to-day lives more generally.”
The sessions are set to begin in 2024 and EPIC Global Solutions is expected to visit minor league teams during the Spring Training session to deliver its sessions.
EPIC has been operating for over a decade and is making a push to make itself one of the leading consultancies in the US when it comes to responsible gambling and gambling harm prevention.
“We are pleased to be able to support baseball to take a proactive stance on player protection against gambling-related harm through our innovative lived experience approach, sharing the stories of those who have experienced gambling disorder first hand,” said Ben McGregor, Director of Sports Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions.
“Working with such an iconic American institution provides a unique opportunity to not only help the players connected to every franchise, but also the wider supporter base across the country, who can learn more about the potential effects of gambling harm through the increased profile this program will generate.
“We thank Major League Baseball and Entain Foundation US for providing this platform for wider awareness.”
This deal makes up part of a wider partnership that EPIC enjoys with the Entain Foundation US. The two companies have joined forces to create educational sessions for a series of sports teams and leagues in the US to achieve a shared goal of reducing the risks of gambling harm.
The deal sees the pair go into college and university campuses to speak with student-athletes, as well as provide training sessions for the player associations of some of the major professional sports.
“Entain Foundation US is proud to support EPIC Risk Management’s effort to educate the Major League Baseball community about problem gambling,” added Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation US
“We must take a preventative approach to gambling harm, particularly those involved in sports, so educating the baseball community on responsible gambling practices is a critical measure.”
