FanDuel has launched a new program and resource hub called ‘Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting’, designed to provide tools and resources to trusted adults to talk to young people about gambling and its associated risks.
Launching during Responsible Gambling Education Month in the US, ‘Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting’ comes from a new partnership between the Flutter Entertainment operator with former NBA player and basketball coach Randy Livingston and his wife, sports agent Anita Ondine Smith.
Created in consultation with EPIC Global Solutions, the program and resource hub has been developed “to equip trusted adults, including 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”.
In the ‘Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting’ video series, Livingston and Ondine Smith detail Livingston’s basketball career, including his time in the NBA, but also discuss his struggles with problem gambling, sharing “the story of his initial exposure to gambling, his rock-bottom moment and his journey to recovery with the help of his wife”.
“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.”
Ondine Smith commented: “It is important to normalise conversations about gambling, and this program is intended to help families get comfortable with traditionally uncomfortable conversations.
“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.”
Available at ConversationsAboutBetting.com, Trusted Voices content highlights the “importance of modelling responsibility for adults who choose to bet, focuses on the importance of not allowing those under 21 access to sports betting platforms and also breaks down what proxy betting is”.
The program and its accompanying resources will continue to be updated with additional content in the coming months. Video content will be supported with paid media on digital, shared across FanDuel social channels and featured on fanduel.com/playwell.
“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,” stated Alison Kutler, Vice President, Sustainability and Responsible Gaming at FanDuel.
“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, VP of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, added: “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.
“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.”
Alongside Trusted Voices, FanDuel has expanded its partnership with Kindbridge Behavioural Health, a mental health service provider which supports individuals facing challenges related to problem gambling.
Kindbridge provides resources to those in need “to schedule appointments immediately with specialised problem gambling outpatient treatment providers via telehealth services”.
Piloted in New Jersey and Ohio, the program now offers individuals who self-exclude from the FanDuel platform direct access to comprehensive mental health assessments and group support services nationwide, available to individuals in all jurisdictions where the operator offers sports betting and online casino.
