NFL Gives $600K to Advance Gambling Behavior Research, Focus on College Students

The National Football League has teamed up with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), advancing further $600,000 to the organization to help spearhead research into responsible gaming as well as improve the behavioral understanding of gambling addicts and players who may be at risk of developing an issue with the activity.

More Money Dedicated to Advancing RG Research

The NFL has donated through the NFL Foundation and to the ICRG, which is a respected research body looking into advancing the collective understanding of gambling addiction and problem gambling, as well as exploring prevalence, risk factors, and what impacts gambling behavior, specifically among college students.

Commenting on this new donation, NFL SVP of social responsibility Anna Isaacson had this to say:

“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. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans, and communities.”

NFL SVP of social responsibility Anna Isaacson

There have already been indicators that students at institutions of higher learning are at a particular risk of developing addiction, as the mass legalization of the sports wagering market exposed them to an unprecedented influx of advertisements and betting platforms.

This is hardly the first time that the NFL has donated to various organizations dedicated to addressing problem gambling.

In 2024, the NFL also made a $6.4-million donation to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), which maintains the national support line, 1-800-GAMBLER, dedicated to helping people who experience distress because of their gambling habits to seek and get help, as well as connect them to treatment options.

Problem Gambling and How Children Are Affected

Yet, a big part of the efforts going into offering help for problem gambling have now focused on not just maintaining existing support options but also garnering a better understanding of what motivates people to develop addiction.

Extra focus has been put on educational programs for athletes and students, as well as understanding how early life exposure to gambling and its normalization may end up pushing more people into reckless gambling spending in the long run.