Flutter Entertainment Plc announced that its most valuable brand, FanDuel, with the biggest share in the US online sports betting market, has entered into a new ‘Play Well’ partnership, further strengthening its responsible gambling policy. September is largely recognized as Responsible Gambling Education Month across the US.
The new program, “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting”, will feature former professional basketball player and current coach Randy Livingston, and his wife, sports agent Anita Ondine Smith.
The engaging video series aims to equip adults, including parents, guardians, and coaches with the necessary tools and knowledge to speak about gambling with young people. From recognizing the warning signs of problem gambling to finding support resources, the program will provide comprehensive information on the sensitive topic.
Livingston’s professional career as an NBA player was marked by problem gambling. The former player will share his first-hand experience as an excessive gambler, his struggles when in the depths of addiction, as well as his journey to recovery. His wife, Anita, will share the story from another perspective, that of a family member helping a loved one find the way to recovery.
There are three main topics of the conversations featured in the program, including raising responsible gambling awareness, prohibiting those under the legal gambling age from accessing gambling content, and explaining the meaning of proxy betting. The content has been created with the guidance of EPIC Global Solutions, a gambling harm prevention organization.
ConversationsAboutBetting.com will also feature the program, with new feeds being added regularly over the next months.
Livingston and FanDuel Comment on the New Partnership
Randy Livingston commented on the new partnership, highlighting sports betting’s expansion and easy accessibility and the growing need for “informed conversations about gambling.” It was evident for both spouses that FanDuel shared their beliefs for responsible gambling and the “goal of helping parents navigate these tough, but important conversations.”
Ondine Smith added that conversations about gambling should be normalized in families. She shared her and her husband’s enthusiasm to contribute with their experience to the program content, help raise awareness, and “drive positive outcomes for young people and anyone who may be struggling with problem gambling.”
Alison Kutler, Head of Responsible Gambling and Sustainability at FanDuel, confirmed the company’s commitment to keeping the highest responsible gambling standards: “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.”
Teresa Fiore, Vice President of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions commended FanDuel’s proactive approach to responsible gambling education.
Besides the most recent partnership with Randy Livingston, FanDuel also expanded its collaboration with Kindbridge Behavioral Health, a gambling counseling service. Initially launched in New Jersey and Ohio, the partnership will expand nationally, in all jurisdictions where FanDuel operates.
