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March is problem gambling awareness month; hence, it has seen a spree of various initiatives tailored towards this goal from US gambling operators. Among these operators are MGM Resorts and BetMGM, which announced reinforcing a partnership with Kindbridge.
Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge Behavioral Health are organizations specializing in offering therapy and treatment tailored to address gaming and gambling issues. Their expertise extends beyond these specific concerns to include a wide range of behavioral challenges, including mental health services.
Problem gambling initiative tailored toward military personnel
Through this partnership, MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) has contributed $100,000 to the Kindbridge Research Institute to endorse a pioneering medication trial catered to veterans grappling with gambling addiction in Las Vegas. This treatment endeavor seeks to alleviate gambling urges and mitigate symptom severity among veterans diagnosed with gambling disorders.
By the conclusion of 2023, MGM Resorts had also contributed $360,000 to the (ICRG) International Center for Responsible Gambling, an organization dedicated to addressing gambling issues through research initiatives.
In an MGM Resorts press release, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Stephen Martino expressed profound satisfaction in the company’s ability to contribute to society and cited that this initiative will specifically help military personnel and their families.
“This contribution will help explore and identify innovative treatments for a population our company cares deeply about. We have a longstanding commitment to supporting military members and their families year-round and are privileged to invest in research that benefits this important community.”
Partnership will amplify the visibility of gambling research
Executive Director of Kindbridge Research Institute Nathan D. Smith commended MGM Resorts for their efforts towards this group and also outlined that other benefits of the initiative will include promoting the research works of scientists.
“This is such a promising intervention. We are so grateful for MGM Resorts’ support of this research to improve the lives of veterans and extend the work of the many great scientists, treatment providers, and donors of the 50x4vets program.”
The Las Vegas Veterans Affairs Residential Recovery and Renewal Center (LVR3), in collaboration with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, will conduct research. The study is a crucial component of the Kindbridge Research Institute’s 50x4vets program.
This initiative spans multiple years and seeks to amplify research efforts on gambling disorders in veterans exponentially, aiming to achieve a fifty-fold increase within four years.
BetMGM builds on an existing relationship
In the latter months of 2023, BetMGM initiated a program in collaboration with Kindbridge Behavioral Health in Colorado aimed at offering mental health services to individuals who have self-excluded from gambling. Following the success of this endeavor, BetMGM has recently declared its intention to broaden the scope of this initiative to encompass additional states, including:
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Massachusetts
- Ontario
“We are proud to lead the way in providing individuals with this potentially life-changing support and are pleased with how the program has performed so far,” said Rhea Loney, BetMGM’s chief compliance officer.
“This expanded investment underscores our dedication to ensuring those who need care can receive it. As access to sports betting and online gaming continues to grow, so should access to problem gambling treatment and care.”
Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge Behavioral Health concluded: “We welcome BetMGM’s decision to extend mental health services to players in distress across multiple jurisdictions.
This initiative is a positive step toward supporting individuals facing challenges with gambling. It underscores the importance of accessible help and the role we all play in fostering safer gaming environments.”
