The Entain Foundation U.S. Supports Launch of NBA Legend Charles Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” Project
The project, sponsored by the Entain Foundation U.S., has launched in Skid Row - the first stop in its national campaign to provide support, including education in responsible gambling, to underprivileged communities
February 14, 2022: Former NBA All-Star Charles Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” community project, sponsored by the Entain Foundation U.S., the North American [focused] not-for-profit charitable trust of Entain, launched in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday.
The project, launched by the Charles Oakley Foundation, provides education in responsible gambling with other forms of support to impoverished, underprivileged communities facing hunger, addiction, and economic challenges in cities across the U.S. Pictures of Oakley’s team serving the community in Skid Row can be found here.
The Entain Foundation U.S. sponsorship provides funding and expertise in preventing and mitigating problem gambling to the Oak Out Hunger community project. It means that, for the first time, education in responsible gambling sits alongside other valuable and worthwhile community services provided by the Charles Oakley Foundation, including anti-addiction and education programs.
“I want to improve the abysmal quality of life of the many struggling people across the United States,” Charles Oakley said. “Every time I go outside, I see people struggling with poverty and hunger, who often use their little remaining money to fund their addictions. This Oak Out Hunger project is dedicated to giving back to people who are trying to get through life. I want to help them break the cycle of addiction and give them a chance - and a good meal.”
The project will further promote Gamble Responsibly America (GRA), a mobile app that educates users on safe gambling habits, and Wager Score, a platform that rewards responsible gamblers by converting 1% of every dollar bet into charitable tax deductible donations for social causes. GRA was launched by Entain Foundation U.S., EPIC Risk Management and RG24/7 in June 2021, while Wager Score is a collaboration between Mywagerscore.com, BetMGM and Entain.
“While responsible gambling programs are essential for the public, they are especially important to underserved and disadvantaged groups,” said Martin Lycka, Entain’s Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling, and a Trustee of the Entain Foundation U.S. “The Oak Out Hunger project is truly unique in its dual approach of providing community services and responsible gambling education, and we are proud to partner with the Oakley Foundation to help reach those in need. As sports betting takes off across many U.S. states, we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure that people only bet safely and within their means.”
In the coming weeks and months, the Oak Out Hunger project will extend to colleges and sporting events throughout the country. Their February schedule is listed below:
- 16 - 20, NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland
- 21, Illinois
- 22, Indiana University
- 23, Ohio State University
- 24, Michigan State and Feb. 25, University of Michigan
- 27, Penn State
- 28, University of Maryland
-ENDS-
Media Contacts
Entain Foundation U.S. Ethan Andersen, Partner, Princeton Strategic Communications | [email protected] |
| Entain plc Tessa Curtis, Head of Group PR & Media Relations Jay Dossetter, Head of ESG and Press Office Jodie Hitch, PR Manager | [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] |
| MY Wager Score Jessica Van Sack-Downey, Founder, Yellow House Creative Consulting | [email protected] |
About Entain Foundation U.S.
The Entain Foundation U.S. is a first-of-its-kind non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance in the U.S. The Foundation was launched in 2019 by the Entain Global Foundation and the Entain Group. Trustees of the Entain Foundation US include Entain’s Martin Lycka, former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl Champion Amani Toomer and international gambling regulatory expert Bill Pascrell III, a partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group. The Entain Foundation US also sponsors a variety of information and education programs on problem gambling for professional athletes, collegiate athletes, coaches and teams at 40 U.S colleges and universities and several associated leagues. Globally, the Entain Foundation has committed more than $100 million to responsible gambling programs over the next five years. For more information see the group’s website: https://entainfoundation-us.com/
About Entain plc
Entain plc (LSE: ENT) is a FTSE100 company and is one of the world’s largest sports-betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector. The Group owns a comprehensive portfolio of established brands; Sports Brands include bwin, Bet.pt, Coral, Crystalbet, Eurobet, Ladbrokes, Neds and Sportingbet; Gaming Brands include CasinoClub, Foxy Bingo, Gala, Gioco Digitale, Ninja Casino, Optibet, partypoker and PartyCasino. The Group owns proprietary technology across all its core product verticals and in addition to its B2C operations provides services to a number of third-party customers on a B2B basis.
The Group has a joint venture with MGM Resorts International creating a leader, BetMGM, in sports betting and iGaming in the US. Entain provides the technology which powers BetMGM and exclusive games and products, specially developed at its in-house gaming studios. The Group is tax resident in the UK with licenses in a total of 27 regulated markets. Entain is a leader in ESG, a member of FTSE4Good, the DJSI and is AA rated by MSCI. The Group has set a science-based target, committing to be carbon net zero by 2035 and through the Entain Foundation supports a variety of initiatives, focusing on safer gambling, grassroots sport, diversity in technology and community projects. For more information see the Group’s website: www.entaingroup.com
About My Wager Score™
My Wager Score™ is a patented financial health tool that is poised to change the game. An early-stage start-up that has caught the attention of policymakers and the next generation of socially responsible bettors, My Wager Score converts 1% of every dollar bet on our gaming partners site(s) into charitable, tax-deductible donations, empowers online gamblers with real-time affordability checks and unlocks access to technology designed to prevent reckless betting. Win or lose, the Wager Score converts 1% of every dollar bet on gaming partners site(s) into charitable, tax-deductible donations that create positive societal impact.
About Charles Oakley and The Charles Oakley Foundation
Oakley, known by legions of NBA fans as “The Last Enforcer,” played power forward for 19 seasons (1985-2004) in the NBA including 10 seasons with the New York Knicks (1988-98) where he was named an NBA all-star in 1994. A lifelong home cook who is known to whip up a giant family meal, Oak has spent much of his post-NBA career bringing his culinary prowess to homeless shelters and veterans' organizations nationwide.
The Charles Oakley Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to giving back. In 2020, the foundation launched the Oak Out Hunger campaign, which has provided thousands of meals and other social services to impoverished families in such cities as Cleveland (Oakley's hometown), New York, Los Angeles, and other major American cities.