MSG brands and NY pro sports teams join AGA's responsible gaming campaign

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. are partnering with the American Gaming Association on its Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly campaign, the trade group announced on Friday.

AGA’s campaign aims at promoting responsible gaming and, as part of the partnership, MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment will activate it both in-arena and through digital media with the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers.

Moreover, the initiative will also see on-air activation through MSG Network, including regular features on gambling-centric shows Odds with Ends, The Bettor Half Hour, and The Betting Exchange.

💥 RELEASE: The AGA is thrilled to announce @TheGarden, world-famous home of the @nyknicks and @NYRangers, as our newest #HaveAGamePlan partner!

See how we’re teaming up to educate sports fans on responsible wagering ➡️ https://t.co/TfZsxvnEPZ pic.twitter.com/5iLtA6fl7y

— American Gaming Association (@AmericanGaming) December 3, 2021

“With the continued growth of legal sports gaming throughout the tri-state area, it’s a priority for MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment to ensure that fans and viewers have access to educational resources on how to wager responsibly,” said Ron Skotarczak, Executive Vice President, Marketing Partnerships, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. 

The executive also said that amplifying the Have A Game Plan initiative marks an “essential” step as part of the company’s strategy and showed MSG’s commitment to “supporting future growth” in the industry.

“MSG is a fixture in the New York sports market, and we are proud to have them join Have A Game Plan,” added AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. “MSG’s unique activations further support our goal of convening the sports betting ecosystem around a common message to advance responsible gaming.”

Launched in late 2019, AGA’s Have A Game Plan aims at educating sports fans on the principles of responsible sports betting: setting a budget and sticking to it, keeping betting social, knowing the odds, and playing with trusted, regulated operators.

Fan and consumer education are critical as sports betting expands nationwide, the American Gaming Association claims. Sports betting is currently legal in 32 states and the District of Columbia, with 31 jurisdictions already operational. An estimated 142 million American adults can now bet legally in their home market.

By partnering with AGA, MSG Sports joins a long list of campaign partners across the sports betting landscape, including operators, leagues and teams, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, MGM Resorts International, NASCAR, New York Jets, NHL, UFC and Rush Street Interactive, among others.