One of the highlights of last week's National Council on Problem Gambling Conference was seeing the incredible recognition the Fan Mode campaign has received.

At Collectors MD, we're proud supporters of this initiative because it reinforces a message that extends far beyond sports betting: it's okay to simply be a fan.

In today's world, so many experiences have become monetized. Whether it's sports, collecting, fantasy contests, prediction markets, or other forms of entertainment, we're increasingly encouraged to have something at stake. But the reality is that fandom itself can be exciting, meaningful, and deeply rewarding without needing to place a wager.

You don't need money on the game to enjoy the game. That message aligns closely with everything we strive to promote through #RipResponsibly. Collecting doesn't have to become a financial competition. Sports don't have to become a betting opportunity. Sometimes, the healthiest and most fulfilling experience comes from simply appreciating what drew us there in the first place.

Congratulations to Jamie Glick, Chigbo Nzoiwu, and the entire team at the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado who helped bring the Fan Mode campaign to life. It's an important reminder that enjoyment doesn't have to come with financial risk, and we're grateful to support a movement that encourages people to reconnect with the simple joy of being a fan.

Proud to be repping my Fan Mode hat, and even prouder to stand behind the message it represents. 💙

#CollectorsMD | #PGCC | #Unboxed | #FanMode | #RipResponsibly

Collectors MD is proud to announce a first for the hobby.

In partnership with The Trading Card Hall of Fame, #RipResponsibly branding will officially be featured on Nostalgia Wax by The Trading Card Hall of Fame, becoming the first sealed trading card product to incorporate responsible collecting messaging directly onto its packs and wrappers.

Since launching in 2025, #RipResponsibly has grown into a national harm-reduction initiative focused on promoting awareness, intentional engagement, and healthier collecting habits throughout the hobby. What began as a community campaign has evolved into an industry-wide movement supported by collectors, creators, businesses, organizations, and recovery advocates who believe collecting should add to our lives – not take away from them.

The addition of #RipResponsibly branding to sealed wax product represents another meaningful step toward integrating responsible collecting into the hobby itself. Rather than existing only through educational content or community conversations, the initiative will now be visible at one of the most important moments in the collecting experience: before a pack is ever opened.

The goal is not to discourage collecting or diminish the excitement of opening product. Instead, it serves as a simple reminder to slow down, collect with intention, and recognize that for some individuals, today’s collecting environments can become difficult to navigate.

Collectors MD extends its sincere appreciation to Brad Sauder and The Trading Card Hall of Fame for their continued leadership and commitment to responsible collecting. As a valued member of the Collectors MD Advisory Board, Brad has been a strong advocate for advancing healthier conversations throughout the hobby.

The Trading Card Hall of Fame has also proudly featured the #RipResponsibly initiative on its homepage since its launched, helping expand awareness and reinforce the importance of intentional engagement. Their decision to now incorporate #RipResponsibly directly into product packaging represents another meaningful step forward and reflects a shared commitment to building a healthier, more sustainable hobby for current and future generations of collectors.

As #RipResponsibly continues to grow, Collectors MD remains committed to working alongside manufacturers, hobby businesses, creators, organizations, and industry leaders to expand awareness, encourage thoughtful engagement, and make responsible collecting a more visible part of hobby culture.

This milestone represents significant progress and serves as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when organizations across the hobby come together in support of a shared vision for responsible collecting.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #NostalgiaWax | #TheTradingCardHallOfFame | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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Nostalgia Wax Coming Soon

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https://collectorsmd.com/nostalgia-wax-to-feature-ripresponsibly/

Collectors MD is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with The Certified Trading Card Association (CTCA) to launch The Healthy Hobby Initiative.

This new collaboration represents an important step forward in bringing more responsibility, transparency, education, and long-term sustainability into the trading card space.

As the only 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association dedicated exclusively to the trading card industry, CTCA was created to support and elevate the businesses, retailers, and stakeholders helping shape the future of the hobby. Through advocacy, transparency, and education, CTCA is working to make collecting safer, smarter, and more sustainable for everyone involved.

Together, CTCA and Collectors MD are launching the Healthy Hobby Initiative to help address some of the most pressing issues facing the modern hobby – including compulsive spending, hobby burnout, unhealthy break culture, lack of transparency, and the growing need for stronger consumer awareness.

The initiative will focus on:

• Promoting more responsible collecting habits and healthier hobby participation

• Supporting education and awareness around consumer protection, ethics, and sustainability

• Helping strengthen trust, accountability, and long-term confidence across the hobby ecosystem

This partnership is especially meaningful because it reflects something Collectors MD has believed from the beginning: support and accountability should not exist outside the hobby – they should exist within it.

By partnering with CTCA, we’re helping bridge the gap between the hobby world and the support world in a way that allows both collectors and industry stakeholders to move toward a healthier future together.

This is about creating a stronger foundation for the future of collecting. It’s about building a hobby culture where passion, trust, responsibility, and sustainability can coexist.

We’re proud to be part of that work and excited to share more as the Healthy Hobby Initiative continues to grow.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.
#CollectorsMD | #CTCA | #TheHealthyHobby | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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https://collectorsmd.com/the-healthy-hobby-initiative/

Thank you @itsgeoffwilson for helping amplify this message around responsible engagement in the hobby.

When leaders with platforms choose to lean into conversations that are honest, nuanced, and sometimes uncomfortable, it makes a real difference. This isn’t about restricting the hobby or dampening the excitement. It’s about protecting the people in it and making sure the experience stays healthy, intentional, and sustainable.

Grateful for voices willing to move the conversation forward and help create space for awareness without judgment.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, compulsive collecting or spending, you're not alone. Help is available.

Collectors MD offers free education, support, guidance, and resources for individuals and families navigating these challenges.

Email info@collectorsmd.com to learn more.

And thank you @jaybelleshhb for the always appreciated love and support! 🫶

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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