The NFL has revealed a three-year partnership with the ICRG in a bid to support research into college and student athletes’ gambling behaviours.
As a result, the NFL will allocate $600,000 to fund peer-reviewed research that will explore gambling behaviour, risk factors, impacts, and prevalence within college populations.
Parallel to this, the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the ICRG will be overseeing the selection and grant application process, while the NFL will fund updates to the “Talking With Children” of the ICRG’s materials.
From here, these resources will serve as practical guidance for the parents, educators, and coaches of the athletes in an effort to help limit gambling exposure to young adults and younger age groups.
The updated materials will be available online and shared with youth organizations, schools, and sports clubs throughout the United States.
Anna Issacson, SVP of Social Responsibility at the NFL, commented on development and said that the league is proud of this project:
We’re proud to partner with the ICRG to advance research that can drive meaningful solutions and address a critical gap in the understanding of gambling behaviours among college athletes and students. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans and communities.
Similarly, Arthur Paikowsky, President of the ICRG, echoed Issacson’s sentiment by saying:
The NFL has once again demonstrated its commitment to player and fan protection by supporting this critical research targeting young adults. The NFL and ICRG together will make a meaningful contribution to understanding and implementing policies and programs that support a safer gambling environment.
This partnership perfectly reflects the ongoing responsible gambling initiatives of the National Football League, including agreements with the Responsible Gambling Council and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
What makes this collaboration even more significant is the fact that both the gambling industry and the sports scene in the US are increasing efforts to shine a light on responsible gambling, putting an emphasis on student populations and young people.
