Major League Baseball (MLB), EPIC Global Solutions, and Entain Foundation U.S. have partnered to enhance MLB’s efforts to educate players on how to prevent gambling-related harms.
EPIC Global Solutions will offer lived experience educational sessions focused on responsible gambling and mental health to Minor League players and other MLB personnel selected by MLB. Entain Foundation U.S. will provide financial and other support to facilitate the sessions delivered by EPIC Global Solutions.
“We believe that EPIC’s impressive program 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,” Quest Meeks, Vice President of Sports Betting & Compliance at MLB, 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,” Ben McGregor, director of sports partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, said.
“Working with such an iconic American institution provides a unique opportunity to not only help the players connected to every franchise, but also the wider supporter base across the country, who can learn more about the potential effects of gambling harm through the increased profile this program will generate. We thank Major League Baseball and Entain Foundation U.S. for providing this platform for wider awareness,” Ben McGregor added.
“Entain Foundation U.S. is proud to support EPIC Risk Management’s effort to educate the Major League Baseball community about problem gambling. We must take a preventative approach to gambling harm, particularly those involved in sports, so educating the baseball community on responsible gambling practices is a critical measure,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation U.S.
The new three-way partnership expands an ongoing collaboration between EPIC Global Solutions and Entain Foundation U.S. to educate the public on gambling harm prevention. Entain Foundation U.S. sponsors information and education programs on problem gambling for professional athletes, collegiate athletes, coaches, and teams at universities nationwide and several sports organizations.
The delivery model is expected to commence in 2024, when EPIC will visit Minor League teams during Spring Training.
EPIC Global Solutions delivers ground-breaking harm prevention programs, independently accredited training, and class-leading advisory to help individuals and organizations across the highest risk sectors in the sports wagering ecosystem minimize the risks of gambling harm. Through a partnership with the Entain Foundation U.S.—Entain plc’s unique non-profit subsidiary, dedicated to promoting responsible gambling and sports integrity—EPIC Global Solutions’ work in U.S. sports continues to grow.
