Flutter’s largest brand and US market leader in online sports betting, FanDuel, has announced a new partnership with former NBA player and basketball coach Randy Livingston and his wife, sports agent Anita Ondine Smith, to launch “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting.” This new program and resource hub is designed 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.

Launching during Responsible Gambling Month, in the “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting” video series, Livingston and Ondine Smith detail Livingston’s incredible journey as a five-star prep phenom who went on to play several years in the NBA while also struggling with problem gambling. Livingston shares the story of his initial exposure to gambling, his rock-bottom moment and his journey to recovery with the help of his wife, Ondine Smith.

Trusted Voices content emphasizes 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 content was created in consultation with EPIC Global Solutions, an organization that provides gambling harm prevention solutions. The program and its accompanying resources are available at ConversationsAboutBetting.com, which will continue to be updated with additional content in the coming months.

“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.”

“It is important to normalize conversations about gambling, and this program is intended to help families get comfortable with traditionally uncomfortable conversations,” commented Ondine Smith. “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.”

“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,” said 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.”

Video content from the program will be supported with paid media on digital, shared across FanDuel social channels and featured on fanduel.com/playwell.

“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,” explained Teresa Fiore, VP of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions. “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.”

FanDuel Expands Kindbridge Mental Health Services Nationally

In addition to launching “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting,” FanDuel is expanding its relationship with Kindbridge Behavioural Health (Kindbridge) to further its program offering individuals who self-exclude from the FanDuel platform with direct access to comprehensive mental health assessments and group support services nationwide. The program was piloted in New Jersey and Ohio and is now available to individuals in all jurisdictions where FanDuel offers its sports betting and online casino platforms.

Kindbridge is a pioneering mental health service provider dedicated to supporting individuals facing challenges related to problem gambling. The program provides resources for individuals in need to schedule appointments immediately with specialized problem gambling outpatient treatment providers via telehealth services.

For more information, please contact corporatemedia@flutter.com.

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