As the US betting industry continues to expand, concerns around the impact of problem gambling have grown with it. Responsibility has become a core focus for many companies as a result, and so the role of consultancies like EPIC Global Solutions has increased.
Front-and-centre of what companies like EPIC strive to achieve, with the end goal being preventing gambling-related harm, is lived experience. The company’s employees have previously suffered from gambling harm and the consultancy works extensively with athletes with similar experiences.
Stevin ‘Hedake’ Smith has become the latest athlete on EPIC’s lived experience roster. The former point guard with Arizona State University faced an abrupt end to his career due to involvement in a point-shaving scandal, ending a potential career with the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The athlete will work with EPIC to share his experience of problem gambling and how this led to his involvement in the conspiracy. His background in college basketball, where he broke records for three-point attempts, is of particular significance to EPIC, due to a heightened concern around betting on college athletics in the US.
Many states do not allow wagering on college sports, but some have warmed to the idea, albeit with tight regulations and monitoring. Given the huge popularity of college sports in the US, which in some states eclipses that of the major professional leagues, it is unsurprising that there is some demand for betting on these fixtures.
Smith remarked: “I’m passionate about wanting to tell my story and get out there to prevent this from happening again. I’ve been able to tell my story to players previously and I’m able to have a relationship with all of them in the audience because of the way I deliver my message and coming from one big fraternity in sport.
“Knowing that EPIC has a global reach is something that really stood out to me about this opportunity and I’m passionate about getting out there and speaking about my experience.”
EPIC has taken note of the potential for problem gambling among student athletes in previous initiatives. In a notable partnership, the group signed an agreement with the National College Athletic Association (NCAA).
Smith’s addition to EPIC’s team of athletes adds to the company’s already extensive engagement with professional sports. In the US, this has seen the firm work with Major League Baseball (MLB), for example, as well as a host of individual players.
In its founding country of the UK, the company maintains similarly close ties with local sports scenes, notably partnering recently with former Scotland and Premier League midfielder Dominic Matteo and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) in two separate deals.
“We’re proud to welcome Hedake to our team and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll have on audiences,” said Teresa Fiore, EPIC’s VP of Partnerships.
“In being approached to shave points on game, Hedake has experienced a type of gambling-related harm which is different to many of our other team members.
“His story represents an area of increasing concern within sports, which adds to the range of our education designed to benefit our valued partners and the key people in their organisations.”
