Kindred Group, the principal club sponsor of Middlesbrough FC, has vowed to donate its front-of-shirt sponsorship space for the upcoming match against Millwall FC. According to the gambling operator, its logo will be temporarily replaced by the logo of the MFC Foundation.

Kindred, which is the company behind leading betting brands such as 32Red and Unibet, said that the move seeks to draw attention to the foundation’s award-winning work. MFC Foundation’s work consists in raising aspirations and improving the life chances of people across Teesside.

The increased visibility will promote the non-profit’s invaluable work. For reference, MFC Foundation’s activities are supported and funded by a number of influential commercial partners, such as Kindred Group.

Kindred is also a supporter of MFC Foundation’s Think With Your Feet, a program that enables local men to meet, play soccer and discuss their mental health issues.

In addition to donating its front-of-shirt sponsorship space for the upcoming match weekend, Kindred also donated its hospitality access to the Millwall fixture to participant from MFC Foundation’s Walking Football and East Cleveland Fitness sessions.

Under the agreement, Boro’s players will also wear MFC Foundation’s logo during the warm up session on Saturday.

Kindred Group Is Committed to Making a Change

Kindred Group’s managing director for the UK, Neil Banbury, explained that the company is determined to implement a new kind of sponsorship model. To that end, Kindred seeks to be a positive influence and promote initiatives such as the MFC Foundation’s programs.

We are in a position to positively influence clubs and communities and take that responsibility seriously. That’s why it’s great to be able to highlight MFC Foundation – and its range of work across the region – in this weekend’s game.

Neil Banbury, MD UK, Kindred Group

Meanwhile, Lynsey Edwards, MFC Foundation’s head, thanked Kindred for its support, praising the opportunity to reinforce the importance of MFC Foundation to the wider soccer community.

We’re grateful to the support from our partners that supports the varied work we do across the region, and we look forward to building on that in the months ahead.

Lynsey Edwards, head, MFC Foundation

In other news, Kindred recently added live casino content from OnAir Entertainment to its portfolio.

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The collaboration will seek to help and intervene in cases of gambling harm or illicit betting among young players who may be exposed to various dangers associated with gambling but are not getting enough support to overcome those problems.

Minor League Baseball Getting the RG Resources It Needs

EPIC Global Solutions, which recently rebranded, will step forward and provide educational materials and responsible gambling and mental health seminars to help minor league players and other personnel that have been picked by the MLB to have the means to protect themselves against gambling harm and participating in unauthorized gambling contests.

Entain Foundation US will step up and provide financial support so that EPIC may carry out its sessions focusing entirely on the curriculum and ensuring that participants are receiving the best care and training possible.

MLB VP of Sports Betting & Compliance Quest Meeks said that EPIC’s program facilitates will drive a strong message home to players and help them educate and protect themselves against the growing threat of gambling. This is particularly important in the case of young players, Meeks said:

Our younger minor league players in particular are coming into the league at a time when mobile sports betting is an increasingly prominent part of the sports ecosystem. We want to help those players avoid gambling-related pitfalls that can derail not only their careers but also their day-to-day lives.

MLB VP of Sports Betting & Compliance Quest Meeks

EPIC and Entain Foundation US have been working hard to ensure that they protect players, athletes and staff across various organizations and sports leagues, helping them understand the problems of problem gambling on both a professional, collegiate, and minor level.

Protecting Players on All Levels Is the Priority

Commenting on this new opportunity, Entain Foundation US trustee and Entain SVP for American regulatory affairs and responsible gambling, Martin Lycka, had this to add:

“We must take a preventative approach to gambling harm, particularly those involved in sports, so educating the baseball community on responsible gambling practices is a critical measure”

In June, EPIC and Entain Foundation US partnered with the Major League Soccer Players Association. Efforts to safeguard players and student-athletes have been ongoing, with the NCAA turning to a new partner to ensure that it’s not just a matter of educating players on why they shouldn’t gamble or be aware of gambling harm.

The association, for example, doubled down on protecting its student-athletes from online abuse, which is another unintended consequence of the mass legalization of sports gambling in the United States.

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Greece-based payment provider OKTO has entered into a partnership with the Italian Digital Hub Foundation (IDH) to solidify its presence in the Italian regulated market and cooperate on digital transformation strategies, especially concentrating on progressing e-money services.

New partnership

As an official member of the Italian Digital Hub Foundation, OKTO says it will be an active participant in mutual information exchanges like conventions, conferences and round tables, taking care to stay at the front line of the digital transformation of the Italian digital market and expansion of the payment industry landscape.

Commenting on the partnership, OKTO’s Director of Corporate Development and Regulatory Affairs in Italy, Francesco Crudo, commented: “We’re thrilled to join IDH, a prestigious foundation dedicated to enhancing Italy’s digital landscape. OKTO remains committed to upholding the most stringent regulatory standards and working closely with local authorities to deliver innovative, secure, and efficient payment solutions to our valued merchant partners.”

Also commenting on the partnership, Maurizio Pimpinella, President of Italy’s Digital Hub Foundation, said: “We warmly welcome OKTO to our Foundation. OKTO’s commitment to compliance and innovation is in line with our commitment to promote digital innovation in Italy, in the Paytech and Fintech landscape. We look forward to an increasingly close collaboration of OKTO with all our members to promote the development of the digital ecosystem and payments in the Italian market.”

More about partners

OKTO provides its partners with the opportunity to enhance client experiences and respond to the aforementioned client demands for digital payments. Additionally, the company introduces the newest digital transformation capabilities for gaming, entertainment and leisure clients and millions of people around the world. This is achieved by enabling responsible transactions in real time, taking care to remove the risk and friction connected with traditional payments, at each touch point. Furthermore, it enhances payment interactions for retail and online gaming by blending payment and gaming expertise, local knowledge with global capabilities. This involves backing up clients across a number of regulatory environments and domains with built-in omni-channel access.

The main objective of the Italian Digital Hub Foundation is to provide innovative and technological consulting services to back up central and local public administrations, trade associations and SMEs and firms in order to promote Digital Transformation and the development of entrepreneurship with a powerful culture of competitiveness and the codification of new business models. Moreover, its purpose is to represent its members in Italy and abroad before public bodies and agencies, administrations, economic and social organizations, business associations and public and private entities in order to cooperate in solving problems, making sure the protection of its members and carrying out sector analyzes and studies.

Source: “OKTO Strengthens its Presence in Italy by Joining IDH”, European Gaming, September 29, 2023

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The MGM Resorts Foundation, operated by MGM Resorts, reinforced its mission to positively impact a range of critical social issues by using its Community Grant Fund to donate to worthy causes and encourage volunteer efforts. The Foundation has been a cornerstone of MGM Resorts’ philanthropic endeavors, allowing guests and stakeholders to contribute to charities that matter most to them.

MGM Representatives Selected Deserving Local Charities

The recent awarding of $2.7 million in grants showcases the Foundation’s continued dedication to fostering positive change. These funds contributed to tackling pressing concerns like homelessness, aiding veterans and military families, addressing food insecurity, advancing education, and promoting health and wellness initiatives. Such a diverse range of recipients highlights the Foundation’s dedication to addressing societal challenges and creating a lasting impact.

This newest set of grants extended to 107 deserving organizations in North America determined to better their local communities. Philanthropy and Community Engagement VP Maria Gatti lauded the contributions of MGM Resorts employees, noting that their enduring commitment and generosity were a remarkable boon to the organization’s efforts. 

Thank you for your donations and, even more importantly, for enlivening our company’s belief in investing in our communities through giving as well as volunteerism.

Maria Gatti, MGM Resorts International Philanthropy and Community Engagement VP

MGM employees representing their region shortlisted local charities as potential grant beneficiaries. The organization’s Community Grant Council finalized these choices, deciding which organizations would receive donations and concluding the grant process. MGM Resorts International’s commitment to covering all administrative costs means chosen organizations receive the entire donation amount, aiding transparency and accountability.

The Foundation Is a Proven Force for Good

Throughout its history, The MGM Resorts Foundation has garnered significant achievements, raising over $100 million in grants benefiting more than 1,500 charitable organizations. This remarkable milestone underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to making a difference across various sectors, from education and healthcare to social services and community development.

The Foundation’s initiatives extend beyond monetary contributions. The impact of these grants reverberates throughout local communities, touching the lives of countless individuals and families. Such enduring support bolsters MGM Resorts’ public-facing image and demonstrates genuine dedication to corporate social responsibility and community empowerment.

As The MGM Resorts Foundation continues to invest in non-profits through its Community Grant Fund, it solidifies its reputation as a leader in corporate philanthropy. The grants provided to these chosen organizations will undoubtedly lead to tangible improvements in the lives of those they serve, reinforcing the importance of corporate social responsibility as a driving force for positive change in the world.

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