GVC Holdings has joined forces with gambling harm minimization consultancy Epic Risk Management on a new initiative aimed at reducing gambling related harm in the US market.
The partnership aims to replicate Epic’s education program rolled out in European countries, informing audiences about the risks of gambling addiction and the importance of sporting integrity. This will be rolled across a number of US states over 2020 and 2021, supported by a $2.5m grant from the the GVC Foundation, the operator’s charitable arm.
“There’s no better way to address problem gambling than by combining hard-hitting, lived experience with industry research and expertise,” GVC Foundation US trustee Bill Pascrell, III said.
“By addressing athletes and other at-risk groups throughout the country, we’ll aim to implement the cultural change needed for the protection of at-risk gamblers and growth of the industry as a whole.”
Epic Risk Management chief executive Paul Buck added: “For most people, gambling is entertainment – but for a small percentage of people it becomes uncontrolled, leading to devastating effects to both individuals and organisations.
“Epic is excited to partner with GVC Foundation US to work in the hardest-to-reach sectors to prevent gambling-related harm.”