Posted: December 5, 2024 at 10:29.
Last updated: December 5, 2024, 10:52 am.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is expanding its public service campaign related to sports betting.
Photos of fans celebrating at FanDuel Sportsbook in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Gaming Association is expanding its responsible sports betting campaign. (Image: Reuters)
“Make a game plan. Bet Responsibly” This four-principle initiative aims to encourage participation in responsible sports betting through education.
On Thursday, AGA announced the fifth core principle of its “Have A Game Plan” tutorial: “Keep Your Calm.” Additional pillars highlight the importance of not harassing athletes, coaches, referees and others involved in the outcome of sporting events.
Wins and losses are part of the game, so remember to remain calm regardless of the outcome. Criticizing a player or official for losing a bet, online or in person, crosses a line. Focus on having fun. Good sportsmanship is not just for the players on the field. It is for everyone,” the AGA said.
AGA’s “Have A Game Plan” public service announcement (PSA) comes one year after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down a federal law restricting single-game sports betting to Nevada. This landmark decision gave states the right to decide whether sports betting is allowed. In the past six years, 39 states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws legalizing sports betting.
keep having fun
Prior to the 2018 SCOTUS decision, sports betting was limited to Nevada and parlay betting was limited to Delaware. Much of the domestic sports betting activity was facilitated underground by illegal bookies and unregulated websites.
Sports gambling has risen from the underground to the mainstream with the court’s finding that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) violates the U.S. Constitution. This brought millions of new gamblers into the gaming industry, with young men making up the bulk of the new market.
The AGA argues that legal and regulated sports betting protects consumers and harms the black market. But commercial and tribal gaming industry groups stress that as gaming and sports betting increases, more safeguards will be needed.
“Have A Game Plan” was launched with four basic principles: Set a Budget, Be Sociable, Know Your Odds, and Play Legally. This campaign encourages sports bettors to set and abide by financial loss and wager limits, to bet responsibly as part of a shared activity, to understand the terminology and odds for each bet, to ensure that it is legal and regulated. We encourage you to participate using only rated sportsbooks.
‘Keep Your Cool’ extends the campaign to encourage bettors to refrain from negative reaction behavior both in-person and online.
Responsible gaming initiatives like the ‘Have A Game Plan’ and other proactive efforts by legitimate operators are resonating with consumers and driving change,” said AGA President and CEO. CEO Bill Miller said. “‘Keep Your Cool’ builds on this momentum by reminding bettors that the results of their bets are not a criticism of the team, officials or athletes.”
AGA’s “Have A Game Plan” initiative is sponsored by MLB, NBA, NHL, WNBA, PGA Tour and NASCAR. Several major sportsbooks are also listed as program partners, including BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Sports betting continues to grow
AGA reports that oddsmakers won about $10 billion through the third quarter of 2024. That’s an increase of almost 38% year-over-year, or about $2.7 billion in profit.
U.S. bettors legally wagered more than $98.9 billion at sportsbooks over a nine-month period. The top five states by sports betting handle and revenue are New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The only states that do not yet allow some form of legal sports betting are Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
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