Doubling down on its long-term commitment to safer gambling, top U.S. platform FanDuel has launched “The Comeback With Craig Carton,” a new morning TV show that airs once a month and is dedicated to raising awareness about problem gambling and recovery.
Hosted by popular radio and television personality Craig Carton, a FanDuel Responsible Gaming ambassador since 2021, the show on FanDuel TV Extra and YouTube will feature high-profile guests, like former NBA player Randy Livingston, sharing their lived experience of gambling addiction.
The show aims to reduce stigma by widening the conversation, highlighting available support resources and reinforcing the message that recovery is possible.
Having 56-year-old New Yorker Carton as host is a big win for Flutter-owned FanDuel, and a major draw for listeners.
Carton, who has long been open about his struggles with gambling addiction, is best known for co-hosting the popular morning sports radio show “Boomer and Carton” alongside former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason on WFAN, New York City’s iconic sports radio station.
Boomer and Carton, which aired from 2007 to 2017, was one of the top-rated sports radio programmes in the country and a staple for sports fans.
Positive Impact
Using brand ambassadors and influencers to promote gambling has become an increasingly contentious practice, due to their pop culture sway, broad appeal to underage audiences, and more recent controversies surrounding celebrity live-streaming sponsorship deals with unregulated gambling sites.
But few betting brands have experimented with what happens when ambassadors are tasked with influencing gambling behaviours for the better.
In this case, it’s a matter of the right ambassador and the right backing.
Thanks to Carton’s popularity and his charismatic yet candid approach to a complex topic, the show has a genuine shot at making a positive impact.
“As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of gambling addiction, I understand the impact it can have on your life and the lives of those you care about,” said Carton.
“My mission for this show is to inspire hope, offer support, and remind everyone that the path to regaining control starts with understanding.”
This isn’t the first time FanDuel has shown itself as a champion of safer gambling and willing to put players ahead of profit.
In 2021, Flutter UKI pre-empted the UK’s forthcoming Gambling Act reforms by implementing slot stake limits more than four-years before new regulations were formalised.
The Comeback
And FanDuel is one of only two U.S. gambling operators–-the other being BetRivers–to offer 1x wagering requirements on bonuses in line with responsible gambling best practices.
Wagering requirements are often tied to bonuses to prevent immediate withdrawals, but when set too high or with tight deadlines they risk encouraging excessive gambling, a common practice of many operators.
With the annual Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) programme currently in full play, FanDuel may be leading the charge but the rest of the industry has also rallied behind a range of progressive efforts.
The American Gaming Association, for example, has invigorated its tried-and-tested “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly” campaign, while the National Collegiate Athletic Association has rolled out its “Don’t Be a Loser” advert, which highlights student-athlete harassment and airs throughout the March Madness college basketball tournament.
Lastly, and not to be outshone by its rival, U.S. market leader DraftKings has also stepped up, bringing in big names for its latest “It’s More Fun When It’s Fun” campaign.
The 60-second advert, airing on Fox, CBS Sports and other major networks, features bettors singing along to the iconic Kenny Rogers song “The Gambler” and includes licensed merchandise from the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics and Kansas City Chiefs.
The iGaming newsreel is often full of stories of operator missteps or negligence, yet far fewer headlines highlight when the industry gets it right.
FanDuel “The Comeback With Craig Carton” is surely one of those moments, getting it right for all the right reasons.
