Major League Baseball (MLB) has entered into a three-way partnership with Entain Foundation US and Epic Global Solutions.
The companies have come together to create an educational campaign for Minor League players about the potential for gambling harm.
Quest Meeks, MLB VP of Sports Betting & Compliance, said: “We believe that Epic's impressive programme facilitators, including an ex-minor leaguer, will communicate critical insights on gambling harm prevention in relatable and compelling ways.
“Our younger minor league players in particular are coming into the league at a time when mobile sports betting is an increasingly prominent part of the sports ecosystem.
“We want to help those players avoid gambling-related pitfalls that can derail not only their careers, but also their day-to-day lives more generally.”
Epic Global Solutions will provide the lived experience educational material, while Entain Foundation US will finance the sessions.
Ben McGregor, Epic Global Solutions Director of Sports Partnerships, said: “We are pleased to be able to support baseball to take a proactive stance on player protection against gambling-related harm through our innovative lived experience approach, sharing the stories of those who have experienced gambling disorder first hand.”
The programmes will begin in 2024 when Epic Global Solutions visits Minor League.
Martin Lycka, Entain SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation US, said: “Entain Foundation US is proud to support Epic Risk Management’s effort to educate the Major League Baseball community about problem gambling."
Earlier this winter, the NBA, MLB and NHL released a responsible betting initiative with support from operators in the "Never Know What's Next" educational ad.
