NBA joins AGA's responsible betting Have A Game Plan public service campaign

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is joining the American Gaming Association's (AGA) Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. public service campaign, the trade group announced on Wednesday.  

Through the partnership, the NBA and AGA will educate basketball fans on the fundamentals of responsible sports wagering by providing turnkey resources for use by the league's 30 teams. Campaign content will include in-venue, broadcast, digital and social media activations, the parties explained in a statement. 

"Responsible gaming is an integral component of the NBA's approach to legal sports betting," said Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures. "Working with the AGA on this initiative is an important part of our multifaceted approach to this critical topic and will provide our teams with tools to make a true impact on responsible gaming education in NBA markets across the U.S. and Canada."

🤝 The @NBA is joining the #HaveAGamePlan team! Read how we’re partnering to promote responsible gaming: https://t.co/cvogxVUspE pic.twitter.com/ekTwm8TSd1

— Have A Game Plan (@haveagameplan) January 25, 2023

AGA launched its Have A Game Plan campaign in 2019 with the intention to unite the sports betting ecosystem “around a common consumer education platform,” focusing on what the trade association calls the four principles of responsible wagering for those who choose to bet:

• Setting a budget and sticking to it.
• Keeping it social, with sports betting as a form of entertainment for adults.
• Knowing the odds.
• Playing with legal, regulated operators.

"As one of the world's most popular leagues, the NBA will bring Have A Game Plan's important message to a massive audience," said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. "It's critical that the entire sports betting ecosystem is united in our commitment to responsible gaming, and we are grateful for the NBA's leadership in these efforts."

The NBA's partnership with Have A Game Plan adds to the league’s other ongoing responsible gaming initiatives, which include public service announcements airing during games featuring Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen, restrictions on sports betting advertisements, a membership with the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The NBA efforts also include an "opt-in"  focus that provides what the league calls “distinct, dedicated platforms” for fans to engage with sports betting, such as NBABet and NBABet Stream, offering them the option to receive sports betting news and analysis across league platforms. 

Thus, NBA joins Have A Game Plan's growing list of partners across the sports and gaming landscape, which also includes operators such as BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanduel and Rush Street Interactive; in addition to leagues and competitions including Major League Baseball, NASCAR, NHL and the PGA Tour.