NFL Giving $600,000 to Fund Gambling Behavior Research Among College Students
Posted on: June 4, 2025, 03:46h.
Last updated on: June 4, 2025, 03:46h.
- The NFL is contributing $600,000 to responsible gaming research
- The studies will focus on gambling behaviors among college students
- The International Center for Responsible Gaming is the benefactor
The National Football League is kicking off a years-long deep dive into gambling behaviors among college athletes and students in partnership with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG).
Today, the NFL Foundation announced a pledge of $600,000 over three years to support independent, peer-reviewed research led by the ICRG. The studies will explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of gambling behaviors among college students.
We’re proud to partner with the ICRG to advance research that can drive meaningful solutions and address a critical gap in the understanding of gambling behaviors among college athletes and students,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility. “This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans, and communities.”
Initial studies have concluded that student-athletes are at heightened risk for gambling problems, with sports betting driving and exacerbating the issue. The NFL-ICRG initiative will fund researchers to explore “data-driven prevention strategies, education, and policies aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.”
NFL Responsible Gaming Commitments
Since embracing sports betting after the United States Supreme Court in May 2018 struck down a federal law that had limited single-game sports wagering to Nevada, the NFL has devoted considerable resources to encouraging responsible wagering participation.
Last year, the NFL donated $6.4 million to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to help the nonprofit roll out its 1-800-GAMBLER helpline nationwide. The contribution is additionally being used to supply grants for communities underserved with problem gambling resources and for general awareness campaigns, including ResponsiblePlay.org.
The $6.4 million donation from the NFL followed a $6.2 million check from the pro football league to the NCPG in October 2021.
The NFL’s gift to the ICRG will fund studies approved by the ICRG Independent Scientific Advisory Board. The NFL will have no say in which research initiatives receive grants. The Scientific Advisory Board acts as a firewall that prevents the IRCG staff and board from having any influence on which studies are funded and which research areas are prioritized.
Along with the grant money for studies into college students’ gambling habits, the NFL funds will help provide an update to the ICRG’s “Talking with Children About Gambling” program. The tutorial, last published in 2022 in partnership with the Division of Addiction at Cambridge Health, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, guides parents on how to discuss talking about gambling with children and adolescents.
ICRG Mission
Founded in 1996, the mission of the Las Vegas-based ICRG is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders and prevent the onset of gambling problems through scientific research and evidence-based educational programming.
The IRGC has received approximately $40 million from casino companies, gaming equipment manufacturers, sports betting firms, tribal casinos, and related businesses and organizations.
Last month, Caesars Entertainment contributed $200,000 to the ICRG. The Caesars cash will help fund studies about the biological and psychological mechanisms of gambling. About $20,000 will also be used to help the ICRG put on its annual Conference on Gambling and Addiction in October at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.
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