The NBA and WNBA have announced a new responsible gaming initiative with the National Council on Problem Gambling. The campaign aims to educate fans on the financial and mental risks of sports betting and prediction markets.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have announced a new responsible gaming campaign in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). Launching during the 2026-27 NBA season, the initiative is designed to educate fans, with a specific focus on young adults, about the risks associated with sports betting and the emerging landscape of prediction markets. The campaign will feature a new public service announcement that will air across social and linear platforms through NBA- and WNBA-owned and partner channels.
According to the announcement, both placing sports bets and trading on prediction markets can pose meaningful risks to fans when not handled responsibly. The organizations emphasize that when participation becomes difficult to control, the impact can extend beyond financial loss to affect mental well-being and personal relationships. The campaign will stress that regardless of a fan’s knowledge of the sport, money is always at risk, and these activities should be viewed strictly as entertainment rather than a method for generating income.
Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Head of Media Distribution and Partnerships, stated that as engagement with sports evolves, it is vital for fans to understand the risks of putting money on outcomes. "Through this campaign, we want to help fans make informed decisions, understand the risk and, if they choose to bet, trade or anything similar, that they do so responsibly," Kaufman-Ross said. Colie Edison, WNBA Chief Growth Officer, added that bringing the campaign to WNBA audiences allows for broader reach with practical guidance on setting limits and recognizing when to seek support.
Derek Longmeier, President of the NCPG Board of Directors, noted that awareness is a critical first step in preventing gambling-related harm. The NCPG, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to reducing the harms of problem gambling, will work with the leagues to direct fans toward education and resources for recognizing problems. The initiative builds on the NBA’s ongoing education efforts and extends that reach to the WNBA fanbase.
The campaign encourages participants to set limits on time and money spent, avoid risking funds they cannot afford to lose, and seek support if their participation becomes unmanageable. Fans are directed to ResponsiblePlay.org for further information, and those concerned about their own or a loved one’s gambling habits can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET for free, confidential support available 24/7. Additional details regarding the campaign’s creative assets and specific debut timing will be announced at a later date.