Educating Students
The National Football League (NFL) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have partnered on a responsible gambling training programme. The programme is focused on university and college student-athletes in Canada. The initiative began with a pilot phase at eight institutions in the 2025 spring semester.
The programme is designed to help student-athletes navigate gambling risks. It will help them build skills to make informed decisions about gambling. Feedback from the pilot will be used to refine the course before it expands to 30 universities and colleges during the 2025–2026 academic year.
The RGC will design the course specifically for student-athletes. It will incorporate videos, interactive components, and evidence-based best practices. The training aims to address pressures student athletes face from academics, athletics, and the growing availability of sports betting. The pressures of life can make people more vulnerable to risky gambling behaviour.
Sarah McCarthy, the RGC Chief Executive Officer, said that the programme will provide the student athletes with the toolsrequiredto make informed decisions. She added that early responsible gambling education can help student-athletes succeed both on and off the field.
Anna Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility at the NFL, said that the league is proud to support the initiative. She noted that insights from the pilot will inform future responsible gambling efforts, which in turn willbenefitall players and fans.
Ottawa Senators Partnership
The pilot programme coincides with RGC’s partnership with the Ottawa Senators. That partnership aims to provide safer gambling messaging during hockey games. The agreement will run initially through June 2027, with the potential for extension.
Under the partnership, RGC’s safer gambling messaging will appear during Ottawa Senators home games. They will appear through in-arena activations, digital signage at the Canadian Tire Centre, and social media content. RGC will also sponsor Great Saves, a feature at the NHL team’s games that celebrates fabulous goalkeeping with replays.
McCarthy highlighted the sponsorship as an opportunity to reach fans in moments when they are most engaged with sports. She said that sports and sports betting are increasingly part of people’s entertainment landscape. She noted that the partnership means the RGC have the attention of fans when “they’re getting in the game with their team”.They will then use this opportunity to “provide practical information about keeping gambling safe and enjoyable”.
Continued Focus on Responsible Gambling
The student athlete and Ottawa Senator initiatives spearheaded by the RGC highlight the organisation's commitment to education and public awareness. By targeting student-athletes and sports fans, the council canprovidepractical guidance at moments when fans are engaged with their favourite sports. Both efforts are expected to deliver valuable insights into gambling behaviour and inform future strategies to promote safer play.
The combined initiatives reflect a growing trend of sports organisations collaborating with responsible gambling organisations.PlayAlbertahas partnered with NHL stars Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames. They have become athlete ambassadors and appear in promotional campaigns for responsible gambling and social responsibility programs.
