FanDuel has launched a new program, Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting, to coincide with September’s Responsible Gaming Education Month.
Trusted Voices is designed to equip trusted adults such as parents, guardians and coaches with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, associated risks, how to recognize warning signs and where to go for support.
It is part of a new partnership between FanDuel and former NBA player and basketball coach Randy Livingston and his wife, sports agent Anita Smith. The operator notes that Livingston experienced experienced problem gambling himself. He and Smith have become the newest members of FanDuel’s RG Ambassador Program.
“As legal sports betting continues to become more accessible, I knew I wanted to use my experience to help families engage in proactive and informed conversations about gambling,” said Livingston. “It became apparent to me and Anita that FanDuel shares our goal of helping parents navigate these tough, but important conversations.”
“It is important to normalize conversations about gambling, and this program is intended to help families get comfortable with traditionally uncomfortable conversations,” added Smith. “Randy and I are delighted to work with FanDuel to amplify the program’s content and drive positive outcomes for young people and anyone who may be struggling with problem gambling.”
In a video series, the spouses detail Livingston’s journey from young basketball talent to NBA regular while he struggled with problem gambling. Livingston shares the story of his initial exposure to gambling, how it developed into a problem and his journey to recovery with the help of his wife.
FanDuel, EPIC unite to educate audience
Livingston and Smith hope their story will support others going through similar experiences. To that end, they have created educational resources for people to learn more about the risks of gambling, the warning signs to look out for and how to begin gambling-related family conversations.
“Randy and Anita have an incredible story and a desire to help others, and we are excited to expand our advocacy program to raise awareness of the importance of having early and informed family conversations about gambling and the associated risks,” said Alison Kutler, FanDuel’s VP of responsible gaming and community impact. “FanDuel aims to set and continuously raise the standard for what it means to be a responsible operator, and we look forward to Randy and Anita strengthening our RG ambassador team moving forward.”
Trusted Voices program content was created in consultation with gambling harm prevention firm EPIC Global Solutions. The program and its accompanying resources are available at ConversationsAboutBetting.com, which will continue to be updated with additional content in the coming months. Video content will be supported with paid digital media shared across FanDuel social channels and featured on fanduel.com/playwell.
“Randy’s experience of problem gambling, coupled with Anita’s first-hand account of what it is like to live alongside someone in that situation, makes for a powerful message and ensures that people sit up and listen,” explained Teresa Fiore, VP of partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions. “We are proud to have played our part in bringing this program to life and commend FanDuel for being proactive around encouraging families to be open in their discussions around engagement with gambling.”
FanDuel expands Kindbridge mental health services across U.S.
FanDuel also announced it is expanding its relationship with Kindbridge Behavioral Health to extend its program that provides individuals who self-exclude from the FanDuel platform with direct access to comprehensive mental health assessments and group support services nationwide.
The program was piloted in New Jersey and Ohio and is now available to individuals in all jurisdictions where FanDuel is operational.
Kindbridge is a mental health service provider dedicated to supporting individuals facing challenges related to problem gambling. It works with numerous high-profile gambling operators across the U.S. and beyond, also including the likes of DraftKings and BetMGM.
