DraftKings is celebrating Memorial Day with a unique activation to support veterans.
The Boston-based fantasy and sports betting giant is collaborating with nonprofit organization VetsInTech to provide U.S. military veterans with employment and education opportunities in the tech industry. DraftKings is making contributions to VetsInTech through DK S.E.R.V.E.S., a social responsibility initiative that provides funding to nonprofits.
DraftKings plans to donate up to $50,000 to VetsInTech and is allowing customers to get in on the action. The operator has opened a free $5,000 NBA Playoff pool to customers. DraftKings will donate $5 to VetsInTech for every entry that is submitted for the pool.
VetsInTech and DraftKings will be closing access to the promotion on May 26.
The operator’s promotion to support veterans builds on a long-standing partnership with VetsInTech. Since 2018, DraftKings has provided more than $3 million in funding to VetsInTech. The operator has also trained more than 1,000 veterans and military spouses through its Tech for Heros program, a byproduct of its partnership with VetsInTech.
The program offers veteran training in cybersecurity, web development and data science. It also provides veterans with career development mentorships from DraftKings employees.
Problem gambling resources for the military
Last June, Kindbridge Research Institute established the Military Gambling Awareness Committee (MGAC), an initiative crafted to combat gambling-related harm in the military community. The MGAC works with the Department of Defense to identify policy gaps and the best measures to provide awareness of gambling-related harm.
The willingness for DraftKings and Kindbridge to provide support to the military comes as approximately 56,000 active-duty service members meet the criteria for gambling disorder, according to data provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
“Military personnel are 2-3 times more likely to experience a gambling problem. Yet, due to the stigmas associated with the disorder, less than ten percent seek help,” said the NCPG.
