The American Gaming Association (AGA) on Thursday announced the expansion of its Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. public service campaign with the introduction of a fifth pillar: Keep Your Cool. This new pillar reinforces the campaign's mission to promote responsible sports wagering by emphasizing athlete harassment is never appropriate.
The announcement comes as data highlights the growing effectiveness of responsible gaming programs across the country. According to recent research shared by AGA, 66% of Americans believe the gaming industry's responsible gaming initiatives are effective, up from 59% in 2023.
Among those who actively participate in gaming, 79% of physical casino players and 85% of sports bettors agree these programs are working, including 73% of young bettors aged 18-24.
"Responsible gaming efforts like Have A Game Plan and other proactive efforts by legal operators are resonating with consumers and making a difference," said Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA. "'Keep Your Cool' builds on this momentum by reminding bettors that a betting result – good or bad – is not an invitation to criticize a team, official, or athlete."
Since its launch in 2019, the Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. initiative has educated bettors through four foundational pillars: setting a budget by establishing and sticking to a financial limit; keeping betting a social activity by participating responsibly with others; knowing the odds by understanding terminology and the risks involved before placing bets; and playing legally by using regulated and legal betting platforms.
The new Keep Your Cool pillar complements these principles by promoting sportsmanship and emphasizing the social aspects of sports betting. It encourages bettors to respect the game, recognizing that winning and losing are part of sports betting, and that the outcome should "never lead to negative actions toward athletes or officials, either in person or online."
Additionally, it emphasizes staying focused on having fun, reminding participants that sports betting should primarily be a form of entertainment.
NASCAR, an early supporter of Have A Game Plan, underscored the importance of the new pillar. "At NASCAR, we believe responsible gaming enhances the overall fan experience. 'Keep Your Cool' reflects our shared commitment to encouraging fans to bet responsibly while maintaining a respectful approach to the sport they love," said Joe Solosky, Managing Director of Sports Betting at NASCAR.
