 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! Related Links
|
Gaming News
DraftKings announces sponsorship of Military Research Associate Program18 November 2022(PRESS RELEASE) -- DraftKings Inc. today announced it will provide multi-year funding to Kindbridge Research Institute and serve as the sole corporate sponsor of KRI’s Military Research Associate Program, which assists veterans transitioning from military service to pursuing advanced training in public mental health research. DraftKings’ sponsorship furthers its commitment to a systems-based, public health-informed approach to responsible gaming – including the support of evidence-based research. “It is a privilege to be able to play a leading role in supporting the next generation of researchers while training veterans for new careers in concert with KRI,” said Chrissy Thurmond, DraftKings’ Senior Director, Responsible Gaming. “DraftKings has a deep tradition of supporting the military community as part of its Tech for Heroes initiative and S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, which has previously provided support for KRI’s ongoing research designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans. We will continue to seek out ways to give back to service members, veterans and their families.” Designed to increase the number of veterans trained to work in mental health research and treatment, the program lends veterans transitioning from military service valuable support in key areas, including academic skill building, such as academic writing, literature search and review, study design and execution, as well as academic and research resume building, which includes publishing peer-reviewed articles. Participants will dedicate two years to the KRI program in order to develop the advanced training in mental health research necessary for continuing their education at the graduate level; in the first year, participants are expected to publish a minimum of one academic paper in a peer-reviewed journal and present a poster or speak at one academic conference. “We are thrilled to team up with DraftKings on this one-of-a-kind program. At KRI, we believe that no one understands the mental health struggles of veterans better than veterans themselves,” said Nathan D.L. Smith, Ph.D., KRI’s Executive Director. “This program provides training and support for transitioning service members into public mental health professionals. The ultimate goal is to ensure those who served in the armed forces have a voice in the discussion of veteran mental health for generations to come.” In 2021, DraftKings announced a multi-year financial commitment to KRI for an innovative research initiative designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans, with the ultimate goal of advancing evidence-based research in this area and improving the lives of impacted veterans. DraftKings is the only U.S.-based gaming operator contributing to the 50x4Vets program, which leverages a cutting-edge approach by incorporating into the research actual, lived experience of individual veterans who seek inpatient treatment in the U.S. Through the DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, standing for Service, Equity, Responsible Gaming, Vitality, Entrepreneurship, and Sports, DraftKings’ responsible gaming focus is to foster safer play through technology, staff training, education and resources for consumers, collaboration with external stakeholders, and through the support of evidence-based research. DraftKings is proud to be the first U.S. gaming operator to offer financial support to all of the U.S. state councils and affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling through its State Council Funding Program. Service is also a key pillar of the program, encompassing DraftKings’ commitment to those who have served in the military. DraftKings provides training in high demand tech skills for current and returning veterans, and their spouses, in an effort to help them expand their abilities in their current role or to find meaningful employment, or explore careers in tech, through its Tech for Heroes Program. Since its launch in 2018, DraftKings has hosted 21 Tech for Heroes training classes across six cities and online, with over 600 veterans or military spouses trained, and $1M raised through the support of its customers who participate in charity daily fantasy sports contests. Additionally, DraftKings employees are invited to participate in a 1:1 career mentoring program in collaboration with American Corporate Partners. |