ESPN Launches “The Talk” a New Initiative to Promote Responsible Sports Betting

This initiative is part of a broader ESPN campaign beyond just ESPN BET.
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ESPN has launched "The Talk" campaign to promote responsible practices in sports betting.

What's Happening:

  • ESPN is reinforcing its commitment to educating and protecting its audience as sports betting becomes more popular with the launch of "The Talk," a new initiative aimed at promoting responsible gaming practices.
  • The campaign includes two innovative advertisements: one featuring SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan titled “Wedding Day" and the other showcasing SportsCenter anchor Gary Striewski.

  • Employing humor and drawing inspiration from traditional “heart-to-heart" family discussions, “The Talk" captivates viewers while conveying its message about the importance of playing smart.
  • The initiative will feature the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline and guide audiences to a specialized landing page, ESPN.com/smartplay, which will provide further tools and resources aimed at educating fans on the principles of responsible betting and facilitating important discussions regarding smart betting practices.
  • Duncan's segment is set to air on January 21 across ESPN platforms, debuting during TGL at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Striewski's segment will be shown later in 2025.
  • This effort is part of a larger ESPN campaign and extends beyond just ESPN BET.

ESPN’s Responsible Gaming Vision:

  • “The Talk" supports multiple initiatives designed to strengthen ESPN's commitment to responsible practices in sports betting.

UNLV Collaboration:

  • Collaborating with UNLV’s International Gaming Institute to promote responsible betting practices via education and research initiatives.
  • This partnership encompasses four competitive research fellowships aimed at UNLV students and faculty focused on responsible gambling within the realm of sports media.

ESPN Policies and Guidelines:

  • Implementing responsible marketing practices is essential to protect fans and limit advertising directed at underage audiences.
  • This includes establishing thorough guidelines for colleges, regardless of whether ESPN BET operates in those states.

Interactive Guide to Betting:

  • ESPN.com offers an interactive "Beginner's Guide to Betting" that guides readers through various scenarios, essential terminology, and fundamental principles to enhance their understanding of how betting operates.

What They're Saying:

  • Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship: “At ESPN, we believe it’s our responsibility to help sports fans understand the risks of sports betting and learn what smart betting looks like. When ESPN decided to license its name to a sportsbook, responsible gaming was at the forefront of the discussion. The ESPN BET sportsbook, operated by PENN Entertainment, offers comprehensive responsible gaming resources that encompasses a wide range of protections and tools. However, ESPN’s commitment to responsible gaming extends even further. Because we feature content and advertising on betting, we believe we have a responsibility to help sports fans understand how to bet responsibly. We’re proud to work with industry leaders to find new and different ways to reach these audiences."
  • Kevin Martinez: “The Talk" blends education, humor and actionable resources to capture attention and emphasize the importance of responsible gaming. This campaign encourages fans to reflect on their betting habits and discuss smart practices with family and friends. We want to normalize these conversations and ensure fans understand why responsible betting matters."
  • Brett Abarbanel, Ph.D., Executive Director, International Gaming Institute at UNLV: “ESPN is taking an important approach to responsible gambling messaging, supported by behavioral science research. Rather than just focusing on the negative, these spots accentuate the positive by encouraging healthy habits: being a better bettor is not just about knowing when to take risks, it’s also about knowing when not to."

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Tricia Kennedy
As a huge Disney fan Tricia enjoys having Walt Disney World basically in her backyard. When she's not at the theme parks she is either playing drums or with her dog Yoda. She is a lifelong Star Wars fan and has ridden Star Tours over 270 times.
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