BetMGM and FanDuel have teamed up with Kindbridge Behavioral Health in the U.S. as part of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in the country.

Both operators have joined Kindbridge Behavioral Health’s pilot program, where customers who choose to exclude themselves from a betting app be offered a complimentary mental health assessment as well as access to a range of peer support and educational programs.

This service will be offered to FanDuel customers in New Jersey and Ohio, while BetMGM customers in Colorado will be able to benefit from the program.

“We are thrilled to be working with FanDuel to offer vital mental health support for players in need,” said Kindbridge Behavioral Health CEO, Daniel Umfleet, speaking on FanDuel’s involvement in New Jersey and Ohio. “This collaboration is deeply resonant, extending a compassionate hand to those navigating the complex terrain of problem gambling. At the heart of our ethos lies a fervent belief in the power of accessible mental health resources to illuminate paths toward healing and recovery.”

The pair have also donated five-figure sums to organizations dedicated to helping those who struggle with problem gambling.

MGM Resorts, the owners of BetMGM, has donated $100,000 dollars to the Kindbridge Research Institute which will contribute to research into a first-of-its-kind treatment that aims to reduce gambling urges and symptom severity among veterans with gambling disorders.

FanDuel has agreed to donate $150,00 to the National Council of Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) Agility Grants Program as well as an additional $150,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming.

The NCPG’s Agility Grants program provides funding to non-profit organizations across the U.S. for problem gambling prevention in areas that currently have no services to expand existing programming.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the U.S. where it is estimated that 9 million American adults suffer from a gambling problem, resulting in a national social cost of $14 billion annually.

Led by the NCPG, the nationwide grassroots campaign will bring together stakeholders across the industry and aims to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

“Problem gambling is a clear and growing public health risk, affecting millions of individuals and their loved ones. Yet, our research indicates that fewer than 50% of Americans know where to get help for a gambling problem,” said Keith Whyte, Executive Director of NCPG. “By increasing awareness and fostering an open dialogue about problem gambling, we can work to reduce the stigma surrounding gambling addiction and promote the resources available for treatment and recovery.”