{"id":13639,"date":"2024-08-22T11:56:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T15:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncpgambling.org\/news\/\/"},"modified":"2024-08-22T11:56:25","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T15:56:25","slug":"nfl-continues-partnership-with-national-council-on-problem-gambling-with-new-three-year-6-4-million-commitment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncpgambling.org\/news\/nfl-continues-partnership-with-national-council-on-problem-gambling-with-new-three-year-6-4-million-commitment\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Continues Partnership with National Council on Problem Gambling with New Three-Year, $6.4 Million Commitment"},"content":{"rendered":"

NFL and NCPG to Continue Impactful Responsible Gambling Initiatives\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ongoing Partnership will Support Initiatives to Minimize Gambling Harm and Support Affected Individuals<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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New York <\/span><\/b>\u2013 <\/span>August 22, 2024<\/span><\/b> \u2013 The National Football League (NFL) today announced an extended partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to bolster nationwide problem gambling prevention services and promote responsible gambling initiatives. As the sports betting landscape continues to evolve, this renewed commitment addresses the critical need for resources in responsible and problem gambling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This three-year, $6.4 million commitment from the NFL Foundation to NCPG follows the NFL\u2019s original three-year, $6.2 million grant awarded in October 2021, the largest in NCPG’s nearly 50-year history. The new grant will enable the continued expansion of NCPG\u2019s critical initiatives, ensuring that the organization can sustain and build upon its significant progress since 2021.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur partnership with NCPG underscores the vital impact of their work and our ongoing commitment to advocate for and support responsible gambling initiatives,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility. “We are proud to leverage our platform and resources with NCPG\u2019s expertise to raise awareness, provide education\u202fand help prevent problem gambling. We look forward to our continued partnership with NCPG and expanding the reach of their impactful programs.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The NFL\u2019s funding supports three key NCPG initiatives: modernizing and strengthening the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) \u2013 a crucial resource for accessing problem gambling treatment \u2013 in order to enhance the helpline\u2019s efficiency, improve access across the country and ensure that everyone who reaches out receives high-quality care; developing and implementing the Agility Grants program \u2013 the first national grant initiative designed to reach communities underserved by problem gambling prevention programs; and awareness efforts \u2013 including the <\/span>ResponsiblePlay.org<\/span> website \u2013 to educate fans and the public on responsible gambling practices.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are profoundly grateful for the NFL\u2019s renewed investment in NCPG, which will enable us to grow the essential prevention, education and awareness initiatives that were established <\/span>through<\/span> their initial grant,\u201d said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director. \u201cThis partnership has been instrumental in advancing our mission of minimizing gambling related harm. We look forward to building on the significant progress we’ve made together over the past three years and exploring new avenues for impact.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Results and Impact of Partnership to Date<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

National Problem Gambling Helpline Modernization Project: <\/span><\/b>Since the 2021 grant, the National Problem Gambling Helpline has undergone significant modernization. The grant enabled funding for upgraded technology, increased staffing and enhanced data collection efforts from the 28 contact centers that comprise the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network. Data collection efforts are key to providing NCPG with insights into contact trends, allowing the organization to better advocate for federal funding that supports problem gambling prevention, education and treatment efforts.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The grant also enabled US-wide licensing for the 1-800-GAMBLER number, to reduce confusion resulting from multiple state-specific helplines and ensure seamless routing to designated state contact centers. Use of the helpline grew 104% from 2020 to 2023, which NCPG attributes primarily to the increased promotion and awareness of the helpline.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agility Grants: <\/span><\/b>The Agility Grants fill gaps in problem gambling prevention programming across the United States. They fund projects reaching populations at higher risk of developing a gambling problem, including middle\u202fschool,\u202fhigh school and college students and communities disproportionately affected by problem gambling.\u202fThe grants focus on programs that minimize harm on a primary level (those who have not yet gambled) and on a secondary level (those who have limited gambling experience). To date, the program has provided nearly $1 million in grants to 26 innovative problem gambling prevention programs across 17 states, reaching over 40,000 individuals.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agility Grant funding has supported the following projects and organizations, among others:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n