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Entain Foundation U.S. Supports Launch of NBA Legend Charles Oakley’s ‘Oak Out Hunger’ Project

Former NBA All-Star Charles Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” community project, sponsored by the Entain Foundation U.S., the North American focused not-for-profit charitable trust of Entain, launched in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday.

The project, launched by the Charles Oakley Foundation, provides education in responsible gambling with other forms of support to impoverished, underprivileged communities facing hunger, addiction, and economic challenges in cities across the U.S.

The Entain Foundation U.S. sponsorship provides funding and expertise in preventing and mitigating problem gambling to the Oak Out Hunger community project. It means that, for the first time, education in responsible gambling sits alongside other valuable and worthwhile community services provided by the Charles Oakley Foundation, including anti-addiction and education programs.

“I want to improve the abysmal quality of life of the many struggling people across the United States,” Charles Oakley said. “Every time I go outside, I see people struggling with poverty and hunger, who often use their little remaining money to fund their addictions. This Oak Out Hunger project is dedicated to giving back to people who are trying to get through life. I want to help them break the cycle of addiction and give them a chance – and a good meal.”

The project will further promote Gamble Responsibly America (GRA), a mobile app that educates users on safe gambling habits, and  Wager Score, a platform that rewards responsible gamblers by converting 1% of every dollar bet into charitable tax deductible donations for social causes. GRA was launched by Entain Foundation U.S., EPIC Risk Management and RG24/7 in June 2021, while Wager Score is a collaboration between Mywagerscore.com, BetMGM and Entain.

“While responsible gambling programs are essential for the public, they are especially important to underserved and disadvantaged groups,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, and a Trustee of the Entain Foundation U.S. “The Oak Out Hunger project is truly unique in its dual approach of providing community services and responsible gambling education, and we are proud to partner with the Oakley Foundation to help reach those in need. As sports betting takes off across many U.S. states, we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure that people only bet safely and within their means.”

In the coming weeks and months, the Oak Out Hunger project will extend to colleges and sporting events throughout the country. Their February schedule is listed below:

·       Feb. 16 – 20, NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland

·       Feb. 21, Illinois

·       Feb. 22, Indiana University

·       Feb. 23, Ohio State University

·       Feb. 24, Michigan State and Feb. 25, University of Michigan

·       Feb. 27, Penn State

·       Feb. 28, University of Maryland

Entain Foundation U.S. Sponsors NBA Legend Charles Oakley’s ‘Oak Out Hunger’ Community Project

The Entain Foundation U.S., the not-for-profit charitable trust of Entain, is to sponsor an initiative led by retired NBA legend Charles Oakley to include education in responsible gambling with other forms of support to impoverished, underprivileged communities facing hunger, addiction, and economic challenges in cities across the U.S.

The Entain Foundation U.S. sponsorship will provide both funding and expertise in preventing and mitigating problem gambling to the Oak Out Hunger initiative. It means that, for the first time, education in responsible gambling will sit alongside other valuable and worthwhile community services provided by the Charles Oakley Foundation, including anti-addiction and education programs.

Early next year this program will operate in U.S. cities including Los Angeles, New York, Buffalo, Philadelphia and New Orleans – coinciding with major sporting events including the Super Bowl and March Madness, the college basketball tournament. In addition, the campaign will visit further cities and towns also home to universities including Indiana University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, West Virginia and Tennessee.

“As sports betting takes off across many U.S. states, we’re committed to do all we can to ensure that people only bet what they can afford – which is especially important in more deprived communities,” said Martin Lycka, Entain senior vice president for American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling, and trustee of the Entain Foundation U.S. “The Oak Out Hunger campaign is truly unique – and effective – in providing essential services to impoverished and underprivileged urban communities across the U.S. The Oakley Foundation is an ideal partner to help us reach those in most need with education on responsible gambling.”

“It’s all about giving back to people who are trying to get through life,” Charles Oakley said. “I go all over. And you see people hanging out on the streets, nowhere to get a meal, some of whom use what little money they have to fund addictions. Our program is about helping to break that cycle. Give them a chance and a good meal. Meet some different people and have a good time.”

With the Entain Foundation US sponsorship, the Charles Oakley Foundation and Oak Out Hunger campaign join other nationally and globally recognized partners who collaborate with Entain to prevent and combat potentially harmful behaviors among at-risk populations.

Entain and its two sister foundations, the Entain Foundation and the Entain Foundation U.S., operate some of the world’s most innovative and comprehensive portfolios of programs designed to prevent and mitigate problem gambling.  For example, a free app, developed by Entain, called “Gamble Responsibly America,” is available through the App Store and Google Play, with no branding or commercial promotion.

The Entain Foundation U.S. is a first-of-its-kind non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance in the U.S. The Foundation was launched in 2019 by the Entain Global Foundation and the Entain Group. Entain is the leading global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment operator, which jointly owns BetMGM in the U.S.

cover image: Charles Oakley (credit Bryan Horowitz)