The American Gaming Association has updated its responsible sports betting campaign to include not harassing the athletes and others involved.
The AGA launched its Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly campaign with four starting points for responsible sports betting. The fifth is “Keep Your Cool,” which calls for respecting the athlete and staying focused on the fun.
“Responsible gaming efforts like Have A Game Plan and other proactive efforts by legal operators are resonating with consumers and making a difference,” said Bill Miller, the president and CEO of the AGA. “‘Keep Your Cool’ builds on this momentum by reminding bettors that a betting result — good or bad — is not an invitation to criticize a team, official, or athlete.”
Sports betting linked to athlete abuse
A recent study from the Signify Group showed more than 12% of all the social media abuse directed toward NCAA athletes, coaches and officials is about sports betting or max fixing.
The men and women competing in the March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments were highly targeted. About 80% of the more than 72,000 messages identified as abusive were directed toward those athletes, coaches and officials.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has been pushing states to ban betting on college props to reduce athlete harassment. Multiple have done so, with New Jersey the most recent state to consider the ban.
The Wyoming Gaming Commission amended its regulations in November to define athlete harassment and approve banning bettors who do so.
Responsible sports betting pillars
The AGA originally offered four points of focus to ensure sports betting is done responsibly:
- Set a Budget: Have a strict limit in mind before starting to bet.
- Keep it Social: Bet as part of a shared activity.
- Know the Odds: Know the betting terminology and understand the potential risks before placing a bet.
- Play Legally: Stick to sports betting platforms that are licensed by state regulators.
