Major League Baseball (MLB) announced Thursday a new partnership with the American Gaming Association (AGA). The league will join the trade body’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. campaign, which aims to educate fans on responsible sports betting.
The move is set to broaden the league’s responsible gaming efforts. MLB has also expanded its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), with the league now serving as a Platinum Member and a part of the group’s Leadership Circle.
Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive Vice President, Business Development, explained: “As legalized wagering continues to grow across the country, MLB is committed to ensuring that fans who choose to wager also have the tools and resources necessary to bet responsibly.”
“With the expertise and additional resources of the AGA and NCPG, we’ll be able to expand our responsible gaming efforts further, driving new education, awareness and support service initiatives that will help keep sports betting safe, fun and entertaining for all those who participate,” Gersh added.
As Have A Game Plan partners, MLB will run responsible sports betting public service announcements across select MLB broadcast and digital media channels starting with the 2022 Postseason; the league will also extend campaign partnership opportunities to all 30 MLB Clubs.
MLB's Kenny Gersh (left); AGA's Casey Clark
The AGA will provide MLB with counsel and expertise to deepen league-wide responsible gaming knowledge through benchmarking and annual training on best practices.
AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark stated: “Welcoming Major League Baseball as a Have A Game Plan partner is a milestone for the campaign and responsible gaming efforts nationwide. MLB understands that as legal sports betting grows so does our collective commitment to responsibility. This partnership will have a meaningful impact, teaching fans across the country the fundamentals of responsible wagering.”
MLB was the first professional sports league to join as a member of NCPG in 2005. Now, as a Platinum Member and part of the organization’s Leadership Circle, MLB works closely with Executive Director Keith Whyte’s team on various initiatives related to problem gambling and promotes the NCPG’s National Problem Gambling Helpline across all of MLB’s media platforms.
NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte, said: “We applaud MLB’s ongoing commitment to addressing problem gambling and look forward to their expanded efforts to support responsible gambling education to fans and families across the country.”
💥⚾️ NEW: The AGA is thrilled to welcome @MLB as our newest @haveagameplan partner!
Through the partnership, MLB will air responsible sports betting PSAs across its broadcast, digital, and owned media channels starting with the 2022 postseason. Release ➡️ https://t.co/rVoIh5Bbfy pic.twitter.com/HauWwu0WLm
— American Gaming Association (@AmericanGaming) September 29, 2022
“If gambling becomes a problem, knowing the resources for help is crucial. MLB’s extensive reach will make a significant impact in raising awareness of the National Problem Gambling Helpline and the resources available for treatment,” Whyte concluded.
The announcements were made during the framework of the inaugural Responsible Gaming Education Month, which is designed to promote gaming literacy and consumer education.