EPIC Global Solutions

EPIC retain SBC’s Player Protection award for a third consecutive year

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2024

epic-retain-sbc’s-player-protection-award-for-a-third-consecutive-year

EPIC Global Solutions have completed a hat-trick of wins at the prestigious SBC Awards North America, having been named as the event’s ‘Player Protection Service Provider of the Year’ for a third year in a row.

The globally-leading specialists in mitigating gambling-related harm were recognised once again at the New York ceremony, at an event that acknowledges excellence across all aspects of the gambling industry across North America.

EPIC provides a range of consultancy, education and training services around recognising signs of problem gambling to a range of sectors across the continent, with a particular focus on working with sports organisations, gambling operators and gambling industry regulators.

The company’s work in conjunction with the NCAA and Entain Foundation US – which has seen over 55,000 student-athletes and staff at more than 200 US college campuses educated on gambling-related harm in the past three years – was highlighted within the nomination for the award, and drew praise from EPIC’s CEO and founder Paul Buck, who explained:

“There are now 38 states where sports gambling is legalised. Gambling is growing, so the level of harm that will come will also grow.

“Recognising player protection at events like this wasn’t happening five or ten years ago, but it’s becoming an increasingly bigger issue and we’re glad to be at the front of that and hope to remain that way for the next five years and beyond.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the lived experience facilitators who go out there and tell their stories day in, day out, all around the country in each of the 52 states that we work in.

“I’d also like to make some special mentions to the NCAA, who work with us massively on the front foot on a topic which is becoming bigger and bigger within the student-athlete population, and the Entain Foundation US, who have been there helping to fund programmes like ours for the past few years.”

Lived experience is at the heart of everything that EPIC does, with the lessons taken from the harm experienced earlier in life by around half of its current workforce being the driving force behind the company’s mission and the knowledge that informs the programmes it delivers.

Therefore, Buck is incredibly proud of the team contribution that has once again been recognised via the award at SBC’s showpiece event in the US. He added:

“It’s always nice just to be here and spread our message and meet friends, clients and stakeholders, but to come away and win this award three times on the trot is fantastic.

“It just shows that the level of work we do and the impact that we’re having is growing and growing, year by year, which makes us even more proud to win it. I’m so incredibly proud, not just of the work we do, but of the people who work within EPIC.”

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Entain Foundation U.S.

MLB Partners with EPIC Global Solutions and Entain Foundation U.S. to Educate Minor League Players on Gambling Harm Prevention

Published

7 months ago

December 18, 2023

GamingAmericas.com

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Major League Baseball (MLB), EPIC Global Solutions, and Entain Foundation U.S. have partnered to enhance MLB’s efforts to educate players on how to prevent gambling-related harms.

EPIC Global Solutions will offer lived experience educational sessions focused on responsible gambling and mental health to Minor League players and other MLB personnel selected by MLB. Entain Foundation U.S. will provide financial and other support to facilitate the sessions delivered by EPIC Global Solutions.

“We believe that EPIC’s impressive program facilitators, including an ex-minor leaguer, will communicate critical insights on gambling harm prevention in relatable and compelling ways. Our younger minor league players in particular are coming into the league at a time when mobile sports betting is an increasingly prominent part of the sports ecosystem. We want to help those players avoid gambling-related pitfalls that can derail not only their careers, but also their day-to-day lives more generally,” Quest Meeks, Vice President of Sports Betting & Compliance at MLB, said.

“We are pleased to be able to support baseball to take a proactive stance on player protection against gambling-related harm through our innovative lived experience approach, sharing the stories of those who have experienced gambling disorder first hand,” Ben McGregor, director of sports partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, said.

“Working with such an iconic American institution provides a unique opportunity to not only help the players connected to every franchise, but also the wider supporter base across the country, who can learn more about the potential effects of gambling harm through the increased profile this program will generate. We thank Major League Baseball and Entain Foundation U.S. for providing this platform for wider awareness,” Ben McGregor added.

“Entain Foundation U.S. is proud to support EPIC Risk Management’s effort to educate the Major League Baseball community about problem gambling. We must take a preventative approach to gambling harm, particularly those involved in sports, so educating the baseball community on responsible gambling practices is a critical measure,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of Entain Foundation U.S.

The new three-way partnership expands an ongoing collaboration between EPIC Global Solutions and Entain Foundation U.S. to educate the public on gambling harm prevention. Entain Foundation U.S. sponsors information and education programs on problem gambling for professional athletes, collegiate athletes, coaches, and teams at universities nationwide and several sports organizations.

The delivery model is expected to commence in 2024, when EPIC will visit Minor League teams during Spring Training.

EPIC Global Solutions delivers ground-breaking harm prevention programs, independently accredited training, and class-leading advisory to help individuals and organizations across the highest risk sectors in the sports wagering ecosystem minimize the risks of gambling harm. Through a partnership with the Entain Foundation U.S.—Entain plc’s unique non-profit subsidiary, dedicated to promoting responsible gambling and sports integrity—EPIC Global Solutions’ work in U.S. sports continues to grow.