MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have expanded their support of mental health research and service provider Kindbridge as the US market enters Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
The operator has also joined the National Council on Problem Gambling in recognising PGAM, where it will display new GameSense messaging prominently throughout MGM Resorts properties nationwide, as well as in the BetMGM app.
Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge Behavioral Health services help to “better understand the problems that exist within at-risk communities, delivering evidence-based treatment for gambling disorder”.
MGM Resorts has donated $100,000 to the Kindbridge Research Institute, supporting a voluntary medication trial for veterans experiencing gambling addiction in Las Vegas, a first-of-its-kind treatment to help “reduce gambling urges and symptom severity among veterans with gambling disorder”.
Treatment providers at the Las Vegas Veterans Affairs Residential Recovery and Renewal Center in partnership with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas will complete the research as part of the institute’s 50x4vets program, a multi-year research initiative to increase gambling disorder research in veterans by fifty times in four years.
“This contribution will help explore and identify innovative treatment for a population our company cares deeply about,” commented Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts.
“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.”
Nathan D Smith, Executive Director of Kindbridge Research Institute, stated: “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.”
In addition, BetMGM and Kindbridge Behavioral Health have expanded their problem gambling referrals partnership.
Building off the BetMGM-Kindbridge Colorado pilot programme reaching its sixth month, the collaboration will provide problem gambling referrals in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and 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,” noted 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.”
The service will offer “direct access to comprehensive mental health assessments, treatment, and group support services”.
Since being introduced in Colorado, residents who have opted to be banned from gambling through the state’s self-exclusion programme have actively received referrals for voluntary treatment from BetMGM.
“We welcome BetMGM’s decision to extend mental health services to players in distress across multiple jurisdictions,” added Daniel Umfleet, CEO of Kindbridge Behavioral Health.
“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.”
