Clemson University Hosts Gambling Harm Education Program for Student-Athletes
EPIC Risk Management, a gambling harm minimization consultancy that draws on lived experience to help individuals and organizations to minimize the risks posed by gambling harm, have been on-campus at Clemson University to provide a comprehensive gambling harm and student-athlete protection educational program for its student-athletes.
The program, which ran from March 13 – 14 during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, included a blend of live, in-person educational workshops and seminars from EPIC facilitators Mark Potter and Dan Trolaro plus pre-recorded sessions, and on-demand virtual resources.
Danielle Davison, director of compliance services at Clemson University Athletics Department explained:
“We enjoyed having EPIC Risk Management on campus during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
“The personal stories of Mark and Dan really captured our audience of student-athletes and staff members and allowed them to understand some of the psychological connections between the highs associated with winning in athletics and a similar high experienced by problem gamblers.
“As a compliance professional, we are constantly reminding our student-athletes and staff members about the ‘don’t bet on it’ slogan, but this presentation will leave a longer-lasting impression.”
“These colleges are trailblazers in the field of minimizing gambling-related harm in their respective student-athlete populations,” commented EPIC Risk Management’s director of sports partnerships, John Millington.
“Problem gambling is often described as a hidden addiction. The signs are difficult to spot, yet the effects can be devastating.
“Proactive education offered to vulnerable populations is crucial for curbing problem gambling. We plan to educate America’s future athletes through motivational talks provided by former professional athletes who’ve experienced the consequences of problem gambling, first-hand.
“By examining gambling and risks for gambling harm in a potentially vulnerable demographic – in this instance, college athletes – these institutions are showing decisive leadership in their respective welfare provisions for their students which we believe should be widely applauded.”
It is a view shared by EPIC’s education program face-to-face programme supporter, Entain Foundation US.
In March 2020 EPIC and Entain Foundation US – a first-of-its-kind non-profit focussed on responsible gambling, integrity, and compliance – joined forces in a partnership to reduce gambling-related harm throughout the US, supporting EPIC’s face-to-face education delivery.
The two groups have collaborated already, with EPIC’s and Entain work linking up with the NFL Players’ Association Professional Athletes Foundation (NFLPA PAF).
“While gambling harm programs are valuable for the public, they are especially important to at-risk groups, such as student-athletes,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s senior vice president for American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling, and a trustee of the Entain Foundation U.S.
In the coming weeks and months, EPIC Risk Management will extend its educational campaign to colleges throughout the country. Their current schedule is listed below:
• April 6-7, Creighton University (NE)
• April 10, St Johns (NY)
• April 11, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IN)
