MGM Resorts and BetMGM expand Kindbridge collaboration

MGM Resorts International and BetMGM are strengthening their collaboration with Kindbridge to support problem gambling research and mental health services across North America.

As part of its commitment to responsible gaming research, MGM Resorts has donated $100,000 to Kindbridge Research Institute in support of a voluntary medication trial for veterans experiencing gambling addiction in Las Vegas.

The first-of-its-kind treatment aims to reduce gambling urges and symptom severity among veterans with gambling disorder.

“This contribution will help explore and identify innovative treatment for a population our company cares deeply about,” said MGM Resorts senior vice president and chief compliance officer Stephen Martino. “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.”

Research will be completed by treatment providers at the Las Vegas Veterans Affairs Residential Recovery and Renewal Center (LVR3) in partnership with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

The study is part of Kindbridge Research Institute's 50x4vets program, a multi-year research initiative aimed at increasing research on gambling disorder in veterans by fifty times in four years.  

“This is such a promising intervention,” said Nathan 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.”

MGM Resorts’ sports betting joint venture with Entain, BetMGM, has also expanded its relationship with Kindbridge Behavioral Health to offer problem gambling referrals in seven US states (Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia), as well as Ontario, Canada.

“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 BetMGM chief compliance officer Rhea Loney. “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.”

This comes as BetMGM reaches its sixth month in the Kindbridge Colorado Pilot Program, with a number of Colorado residents who have opted to be banned from gambling through the state's self-exclusion program now actively receiving referrals for voluntary treatment from BetMGM.

“We welcome BetMGM's decision to extend mental health services to players in distress across multiple jurisdictions,” said Kindbridge Behavioral Health CEO Daniel Umfleet. “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.”

Shares in MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) closed 2.21 per cent lower at $42.01 per share in New York Monday.