With the NCAA men's and women's college basketball tournaments starting this week, March Madness will be a part of the American sports landscape for the next month.
March also marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and many sports betting companies have taken action to promote their own tools to fight the problem.
One company took it a step further on Monday, March 17.
FanDuel TV has launched “The Comeback with Craig Carton,” a new 30-minute show specifically focused on problem gambling recovery, hosted by FanDuel’s responsible gaming ambassador and FS1’s “Breakfast Ball” morning show host, Craig Carton.
New episodes of The Comeback with Craig Carton will air monthly on Mondays at 10 a.m. ET on FanDuel’s FAST channel, FanDuel TV Extra and stream on FanDuel’s YouTube channel.
Carton, FanDuel’s first national responsible gaming ambassador since 2021, will sit down with those who have experienced the highs and lows of gambling addiction to amplify and tell their stories, breaking down the stigma surrounding gambling disorder, raise awareness of support resources for individuals and their families, and show that recovery is possible should one choose to do so.
His first episode aired Monday and was a sit-down conversation with former 11-year NBA veteran, and recovered problem gambler, Randy Livingston, about his history with gambling, from his last wager and hitting rock bottom, to seeking help and how his life has changed for the better.
Randy’s wife, Anita Ondine Smith, also joined to describe the struggles she faced as a spouse, the warning signs she saw in Randy, and how their marriage is now stronger than ever.
Both Randy and Anita have joined FanDuel as responsible gaming ambassadors, launching “Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting,” a new resource hub designed to equip parents, guardians and coaches with tools and resources to talk to young people about the risks associated with gambling and where to go for support.
“Our hope for The Comeback with Craig Carton is to raise awareness of problem gambling and foster open dialogue to tackle the stigma that still exists today,” said FanDuel’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Sustainability Cory Fox in a news release.
“Whether those conversations are amongst friends, spouses, parents or coaches, we want to educate our audience on what the warning signs are and be comfortable asking for help.”
Craig Carton was part of the successful Boomer and Carton morning radio show on WFAN Sports Radio in New York from 2007-17. In 2017, Carton resigned from the show and the radio station after his arrest for securities and wire fraud, which was caused by his gambling addiction. After a one-year prison sentence and home confinement, he completed his sentence in 2021 and satisfied his three years of court ordered probation in June 2024.
Carton is the epitome of a comeback story from reaching the high of highs in his career to hitting rock bottom, building himself and his career back up through radio once again and now back on national TV.
“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,” Carton said.
“The road to recovery isn’t easy, but I’ve committed myself to helping others who are facing similar struggles. My mission for this show is to inspire hope, offer support, and remind everyone that the path to regaining control starts with understanding.”
Madness starts tonight with First Four, along with NIT
The NCAA men's college basketball tournament, along with the men's National Invitation Tournament (NIT), tips off tonight with the Saint Francis Red Flash vs. Alabama State Hornets at 6:40 p.m. ET.
You can check out our March Madness picks, but remember, bet with your head, not over it.
