The National Football League (NFL) is once again focusing on problem gambling as it prepares to kick off a new season.
The country’s top sports league has announced a new deal with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The agreement is for $6.4 million over three years, and the NFL hopes to curb gambling problems in the league and the general public.
The agreement is the second between the NFL and NCPG, with the first being signed back in 2021 for $6.2 million.
Like many other leagues, the NFL has dealt with several betting scandals involving players. Last season, the league handed down ten suspensions for gambling. That led to the league continuing its partnership with the NCPG and launching gambling awareness training for all 32 of its steams.
“Our ongoing partnership with the NCPG underscores our commitment to responsible gambling,” said NFL VP of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “We’re leveraging our platform to support vital educational resources and help prevent problem gambling.”
While the new agreement is meant to help players, it is also an attempt to protect their bottom line. The uptick in betting scandals in leagues like the NFL has fans and bettors becoming increasingly suspicious. The prevalence of prop betting opens an avenue for players to sway the outcome of wagers easily.
The amount of NFL players involved in betting scandals is small compared to the league's size, but it won’t take much to scare off fans. It could lead to a significant dip in viewership if it cannot stop the rising scandals.
The new deal between the NFL and NCPG will also include funding for the league’s Agility Grants. The program focuses on supporting initiatives to help underserved communities across the US. That includes initiatives to help prevent problem gambling for both students, teaching them the dangers of the industry.
In addition to helping support problem gambling education, the Agility Fund also contributes to other efforts. That includes programs to help with issues like alcoholism, drug abuse, and mental health.
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