Four-time NBA champion and investor in NRG eSports Shaquille O’Neal announced Thursday on YouTube an upcoming gaming marathon broadcast live from the White House on Twitch.
The goal of the White House Competitive Gaming Event on Monday — which will be the first event of its kind — is to raise awareness about the importance of health insurance and encourage sign-ups through the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The four-hour event will combine eSports titles along with casual gaming, according to Polygon.
“We appreciate how the White House has recognized the power and passion of our community,” said Brian Petrocelli, Product Marketing Manager at Twitch in a statement. “Their desire to present the Competitive Gaming Event to promote health coverage enrollment exemplifies how they continue to have their hand on the pulse of the younger generation. We share their enthusiasm since we also see the value of health coverage and encourage everyone to explore their options.”
Over a dozen celebrity gamers, such as Elspeth, ActaBunniFooFoo, imcoty, Annemunition, will be competing at the promotional event, which will be hosted by Anna Prosser Robinson, Programming Manager at Twitch.
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“Gamers, like everyone, deserve high-quality health care coverage,” said Erik Martin, a Policy Advisor for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a blog post. “Engaging the expanding gamer community is part of the Administration’s effort to meet people where they are to help them find a health care plan that’s best for them.
“That’s why last year, many from the eSports industry, including ESL, Twitch.tv and GEER, helped launch an initiative to encourage more gamers to sign up for health care at HealthCare.gov. And this year, HHS has forged innovative partnerships with digital platforms to help young adults understand that quality, affordable health care is within reach.”