By Gianna Alvino
NFL Player Engagement
On September 12th and 13th, 2012, The National Football League in conjunction with Major League Baseball hosted the inaugural Professional League Sports Wagering Summit.
In attendance were representatives from the various professional sports leagues: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, NASCAR, as well as the NCAA, and a representative joined via video conference from the IOC. Individuals from the gaming industry, the National Council on Problem Gambling, the National Center for Responsible Gaming, the MGM Mirage, Resorts International, American Gaming Association, the FBI, NYPD, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and a Professor of Psychiatry were also in attendance to learn and contribute to discussions.
This invite-only in-service allowed the leagues to discuss their gambling policies openly and discuss best practices for dealing with scandals and gambling issues that may arise going forward. Over the course of two days the series of panel sessions covered material starting with a “Life Lessons” session in which the attendees received a personal account from former Arizona State University men’s basketball student-athlete Stevin Smith about his involvement with sports betting and how it impacted his life. Panels on risk, historical review, current gambling trends, scandals and impact, regulations and policy, education, resources, and next steps rounded out the event.
Attendees walked away feeling more confident with who to contact if they have questions and more of an awareness of the resources available to them; as well as with ideas on how to collaborate between the leagues and industry. There was also a better understanding of the impact that sports wagering can have, as well as additional insight regarding what organizations can do if they face a gambling crisis or gambling related issue.