Saturday, March 2, 2024
MGM Resorts International and BetMGM unveil pioneering initiatives in partnership with Kindbridge to bolster problem gambling research and mental health support. Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge Behavioral Health are dedicated to understanding and treating issues within vulnerable communities, including gambling disorder.
(PRNewsfoto/MGM Resorts and BetMGM)
The collaborations unfold as follows:
MGM Resorts & Kindbridge Research Institute
MGM Resorts pledges $100,000 towards advancing responsible gaming research at Kindbridge Research Institute.This funding aids a voluntary medication trial for veterans grappling with gambling addiction in Las Vegas. The trial seeks to alleviate gambling urges and symptom severity among veterans diagnosed with gambling disorder, marking a pioneering treatment approach.
“This contribution will help explore and identify innovative treatment for a population our company cares deeply about,” said Stephen Martino, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, 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.”
The research will be conducted by treatment providers at the Las Vegas Veterans Affairs Residential Recovery and Renewal Center (LVR3) in collaboration with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. This study forms a crucial component of the Kindbridge Research Institute’s 50x4vets program, a multi-year research endeavor focused on amplifying research efforts on gambling disorder among veterans by fiftyfold within four years.
“This is such a promising intervention,” said Nathan D. Smith, Executive Director of Kindbridge Research Institute. “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.”
“This is such a promising intervention,” said Nathan D. Smith, Executive Director of Kindbridge Research Institute. “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.”
BetMGM strengthens its collaboration with Kindbridge Behavioral Health by extending problem gambling referral services to Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. This expansion coincides with BetMGM’s sixth month milestone in the Kindbridge Colorado Pilot Program.
“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.”
In an unprecedented partnership between an online operator and a treatment provider, comprehensive mental health assessments, treatment, and group support services are now directly accessible. Consequently, numerous Colorado residents who have voluntarily banned themselves from gambling through the state’s self-exclusion program are now receiving 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.”
This announcement aligns with MGM Resorts and BetMGM’s participation in recognizing March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) alongside the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).Throughout the month, new GameSense messaging will prominently feature across MGM Resorts properties nationwide and within the BetMGM app. GameSense, an industry-leading responsible gaming program initially licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), emphasizes positive, transparent, and proactive interactions with guests and customers regarding responsible gambling.
Further Commitments:
MGM Resorts and BetMGM offer comprehensive, research-based responsible gaming training to all employees year-round, empowering them to promote responsible play and address problem gambling concerns through GameSense.
Over 64,000 employees have undergone the MGM Resorts and BetMGM responsible gaming employee training program via GameSense this year. Among them, over 400 have achieved the highest level of training, earning the designation of GameSense Advisor.
GameSense Advisors are stationed at every MGM Rewards desk nationwide, providing assistance and support to guests and their families.
MGM Resorts and BetMGM sustain their partnership with the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan initiative.® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign, aimed at educating both new and seasoned bettors on responsible and legal sports wagering practices.
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