Abbie Chadwick
Online sports betting and iGaming operator, BetMGM, has recently collaborated with Kindbridge Behavioral Health, an innovative mental health service provider, to launch a revolutionary problem gambling program in Colorado.
While the first offers a variety of sports betting, casino, poker, and racing services across more than 20 US states, the latter is committed to delivering professional counseling services to individuals who struggle with compulsive gambling. Both businesses joined forces to establish a pioneering, mutually beneficial partnership that would help customers of the popular gambling brand.
The initiative aims to provide support to addicted gamblers in the state, more specifically, to self-excluded BetMGM gamblers. They can benefit from the organization’s all-inclusive mental health assessment and support facilities to recuperate from their gambling addiction. The mental health program includes the ability to schedule appointments with specialized problem gambling counselors via telehealth services, get access to additional mental health assessments, and locate peer support groups.
Commenting on the new partnership, BetMGM’s CEO, Adam Greenblatt, highlighted the importance of investments and innovations within the field of responsible gambling. He went on to add that BetMGM was thrilled to connect problem gamblers with the right professionals to help them along the journey to recovery. He applauded Kindbridge’s expertise in the field of mental health care and their ability to cope with the specific nature of gambling addiction.
Kindbridge Behavioral Health’s Founder and CEO, Daniel Umfleet, was equally thrilled by the new partnership, praising BetMGM’s vision for the handling of problem gambling. He further commented that such partnerships promote the quick access of problem gamblers to the mental health services they need.
The Colorado Division of Gaming Played a Vital Role in the New Partnership
The Colorado Division of Gaming, part of the Colorado Department of Revenue, is the regulatory body responsible for monitoring the gambling industry within the state. Its scope includes social gambling, the lottery, specific licensed casinos, and horse racing. The controller is recognized for its innovative approach to the regulation of the said sectors.
According to BetMGM, the Colorado Division of Gaming has played a crucial role in the establishment of the new partnership that would revolutionize the way problem gamblers seek mental health services.
The gambling authority presented a new rule requiring operators to implement an effective risk-scoring system. It should monitor, evaluate, and identify at-risk and problem gamblers and provide them with the necessary responsible gambling resources. In addition, it should provide a prompt response communication strategy.
The new partnership of BetMGM and Kindbridge has exceeded the regulator’s requirements and has created favorable conditions for a safer and more transparent gambling environment within Colorado. According to Kindbridge’s CEO, the collaboration would ultimately establish
“the right kind of connectivity between the gambling industry and healthcare services that will positively impact lives”.