Playtech and Kindbridge Research US Gambling Telehealth Program

It is always heartening when leading companies in the online gambling space take safer gambling and mental health issues seriously enough to invest in much-needed tools and support programs.

This is the case with the announcement that leading gambling software companies Playtech and Kindbridge, the world’s first fully virtual gambling-focused mental health clinic have joined forces to research the development of a telehealth gambling treatment solution.

Playtech CEO, Mor Weizer, said:

“The research partnership with Kindbridge and Rutgers University will play a critical role in helping the sector design and deliver high-quality digital wellbeing and mental health support for those at-risk and affected by gambling-related harm. We are delighted to partner with Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge clinical network as they pioneer the next generation of gambling treatment, services and support in the U.S.”

The expected outcome from this partnership is evidence-based datasets that will not only give tangible insights into how effective telehealth addiction support it but also power other research programs with large scale in-depth data sets.

 It Takes a Village

The negative impact of irresponsible gambling practices by operators which feeds into compulsive gambling behaviours is well-known. It is also well documented that one of the leading hurdles to players receiving the support and treatment they need is the fear of being exposed as an “addict”.

By proving the value of telehealth support systems and the viability of receiving treatment from the privacy of one’s own home could be a gamechanger in terms of the number of at-risk gamblers who seek out and benefit from professional treatment.

To this end, Kindbridge is also calling on the skills and expertise of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The university is a well-regarded public research facility and will the ones be spearheading the setup of the evidence-based telehealth model.

Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, Dr Lia Nower, said:

"We are excited to partner with Kindbridge to build a standardized and effective treatment framework for problem gambling and video gaming. Kindbridge is the first treatment agency in the U.S. that is exclusively focused in these areas and delivering treatment we can test for effectiveness fills an unmet need in this time of rapid expansion."

The combination of the data from the Rutgers research with that of Kindbridge’s additional work with US casino operators, social care organisations and insurance companies is expected to provide real-world insights over the next 24 months into how the industry can use online programs to truly help at-risk gamblers.

 On The Shoulders of Giants

One of the biggest fallacies of modern times is the focus on being “self-made”. The reality is that the greatest advancements are always made when we build on the work done by others.

This is why Playtech, in addition to the financial and data support, will also be providing Kindbridge with access to its vast intelligence on digital learning. The company has agreed to assist Kindbridge in developing its Internal Learning Management System by giving them access to the experts behind the Playtech Academy.

The Internal Learning Management System will be aimed at training and developing the core staff and therapists who will be assisting gamblers and gamers online through the newly minted mental health platform.