Entain’s non-profit charitable trust the Entain Foundation US has partnered with the National Basketball Association (NBA) player Charles Oakley on a new charity initiative.
This comes after the Entain Foundation announced the launch of “EnTrain”, a new multi-million-pound global initiative to increase access to technology and improve diversity, earlier this month.
The new initiative with Oakley
According to the announcement, Entain will sponsor Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” community project to include education about responsible gambling.
As part of the partnership, the Entain Foundation US will provide funding and expertise in preventing and mitigating problem gambling to the initiative, which is delivered by the Charles Oakley Foundation.
This will be offered in addition to other forms of support for impoverished and underprivileged communities that are facing hunger, addiction, and economic challenges in several US cities.
Beginning in early 2022, the program will operate in several cities across the US, including Los Angeles, New York, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, coinciding with major sporting events.
The campaign will also visit cities and towns that are home to universities, including Indiana University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State, Ohio State, West Virginia, and Tennessee.
Martin Lycka, Entain senior vice president for American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling, and trustee of the Entain Foundation US said: “As sports betting takes off across many US 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.
“The Oak Out Hunger campaign is truly unique – and effective – in providing essential services to impoverished and underprivileged urban communities across the US. The Oakley Foundation is an ideal partner to help us reach those in most need with education on responsible gambling.”
Charles Oakley said: “It’s all about giving back to people who are trying to get through life.
“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.”
The “EnTrain” initiative
Prior to the partnership with Oakley, the US operator announced the launch of a new corporate social responsibility initiative called “EnTrain.”
The new EnTrain initiative has been described as the “first global strategic commitment” of the Entain Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Entain that aims to support all local communities in which the group operates.
Access to the technology will be provided by the Entain Foundation’s four units of Entain Academy, Scholarships, Apprenticeships, and Partnerships:
- Entain Academy: Supplying transformative technology training for the next generation
- Entain Scholarships: Providing the platform for a diverse selection of candidates to become digital pioneers
- Entain Apprenticeships: Upskilling and developing our existing employees, and expanding external apprenticeship schemes with new and existing partners
- Entain Partnerships: Partnering and collaborating with organisations around the world who amplify and support diversity in technology