North America

Birches Health raises $20m to support gambling addiction treatment

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Birches Health received a fresh injection of capital, allowing the behavioral healthcare company to scale infrastructure and secure partnerships nationwide.

The provider of specialized treatment for gambling addiction announced the closing of seed and Series A funding rounds worth a combined $20 million. The rounds both received contributions from global investment firms. Birches Health’s seed funding round was led by General Catalyst and included Will Ventures, California-based VC firm Haystack, and defy.vc. The seed round was closed in 2023. The Series A, closed in August, was led by AlleyCorp with contributions from Birches Health’s exiting investors.

“Gambling addiction is so often seen as a personal failing or a financial issue rather than the behavioral addiction that it is,” said Birches Health board member Dr. Martin Rosenzweig. “Birches has developed a much-needed evidence-based clinical solution with a unique program acuity matched to the needs of the individual in the com..

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BCLC honours AGLC for GameSense campaign with sports teams

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Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis‘ (AGLC) partnerships with numerous pro sports teams in Alberta have attracted glowing attention from another province’s governmental gaming agency.

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has named the Alberta crown corporation as the winner of its inaugural GameSense Innovation Award, which was established to recognize the most creative, impactful and original GameSense-branded initiative of the year.

GameSense is the BCLC’s player health program that it licenses to other gaming entities, including some other provincial crown corporations, commercial operators like BetMGM and MGM Resorts, and regulators such as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. While BCLC has used GameSense since launching it in 2009, it later began licensing it out to allow other organizations across provincial and national borders to lean on for their own player protection programs.

BCLC and its GameSense partners, who also include the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), selected AGLC as the winner for its province-wide sports-betting campaign that brought GameSense messaging directly to fans through partnerships with Alberta’s professional sports teams. AGLC was presented with the award at the annual GameSense Summit in Edmonton on Sept.17.

GameSense at Oilers games and beyond
While Alberta’s government continues to prepare to welcome commercial online sportsbooks to the province, the AGLC has somewhat cornered the market in terms of sports team partnerships. Its Play Alberta platform, currently the only regulated online gaming app in the province, is the official sports betting partner of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames and sponsored the home jerseys of both of Alberta’s pro hockey teams last season. It’s also the official sportsbook of the Edmonton Elks and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and held a similar status for the Calgary Stampede last year.

BCLC stated in a release that AGLC’s winning GameSense campaign resulted in over 23.9 million impressions, 2.3 million video views and a 10% increase in direct traffic to its player health resources. GameSense messaging was featured in stadiums and arenas across Alberta, including at the Oilers’ Rogers Place, as pictured above.

“This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation – and a little friendly competition – in promoting player health messaging and resources,” said Ryan McCarthy, director of player health at BCLC. “AGLC’s campaign exemplifies how GameSense can be brought to life in engaging, high-impact ways to reach people where they’re at, like when they’re watching their favourite athletes hit the ice or the field.”

“AGLC’s GameSense Program reached new heights this past year and seeing its campaign recognized with the inaugural GameSense Innovation Award is an achievement I am proud of,” added AGLC CEO Kandice Machado. “The decision by BCLC to develop this award will further encourage jurisdictions to promote resources that ensure gambling remains fun and a form of entertainment. My thanks to our partners in B.C. and Alberta’s professional sports landscape, who supported the campaign.”

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UNLV gaming institute names second round of ESPN Research Fellows

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The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI) has announced the second round of annual ESPN Research Fellows.

ESPN partnered with UNLV in late 2023, signing on as the founding donor of new research leveraging the IGI’s knowledge to develop a program supporting responsible gaming policies and related education and implementation. Last year, the IGI launched the inaugural ESPN Research Fellowship initiative, recognizing educators for their responsible gambling-related projects.

UNLV noted that this year’s group of scholars have put forth proposals aimed at advancing the understanding of responsible gambling messaging in sports media and its implications for consumer well-being.

The class of 2025 consists of:

Dr. Brandon Mastromartino, director of the Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming and assistant professor of experiential marketing at the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University. His project wi..

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New Jersey to establish mandatory RG standards for operators

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New Jersey’s gaming regulator is ready to up the ante on the player protection measures it requires from its licensed operators.

The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has published a new set of proposed regulations that would mandate certain responsible gambling measures in the Garden State.

“Our responsible gaming best practices for internet gaming are being turned into regulations,” said the DGE’s Assistant Bureau Chief and Responsible Gaming lead Jamie McKelvey during an iDEA Growth webinar on player protection on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The proposed measures were published in the New Jersey Register this week and are open for public comment until mid-November.

The plan includes requiring each online operator to designate one or more “responsible gaming leads” to identify and monitor at-risk patrons, as well as establishing a hard list of 10 “triggers” for determining problem gambling trends in players and wagering accounts.

The player behavior triggers include things such as ..

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NCAA probe finds 13 former basketball players violated betting rules

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The NCAA is poised to take action against another group of men’s college basketball players who are accused of violating the organization’s sports betting rules.

Just one day after levying bans against three former NCAA student-athletes, the governing body of college sports in America is pursuing additional sports betting violations against 13 former men’s basketball players who competed across six institutions:

Arizona State

Eastern Michigan

Mississippi Valley

New Orleans

North Carolina A&T

Temple

The NCAA Committee on Infractions is investigating alleged violations that include student-athletes wagering on or against their own teams, sharing information for gambling with third parties and knowingly manipulating the scoring or outcome of competitions.

An unknown number of the student-athletes also refused to cooperate with the probe.

An updated version of the NCAA guidelines includes punishments for student-athletes who influence the outcome of their own games or provide gam..

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Three former Fresno State basketball players receive NCAA ban for betting

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Three men’s college basketball players had their NCAA eligibility permanently revoked on Wednesday following an investigation by the organization into gambling-related infractions.

Three former Fresno State basketball players, Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver received permanent bans after the NCAA Committee on Infractions initiated a probe that found the former NCAA student-athletes “manipulated their performances” to win bets with payouts distributed between themselves and third parties.

The infractions took place during the 2024-25 regular season.

NCAA gambling rules prohibit wagering by all players, coaches, and team officials on events sponsored by the organization. Rules also ban betting on professional competition.

The NCAA’s investigation was initiated in February following self-reporting by Fresno State and a sports betting integrity monitoring service about suspicious prop wagers placed on Robinson. The self-reporting by Fresno State came from head men’s ba..

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Kindbridge announces Stigma Stand Down campaign for Colorado military

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Active duty service members and veterans in Colorado are being provided with mental health and responsible gambling resources with the launch of a new initiative.

The Kindbridge Research Institute announced on Monday the debut of Stigma Stand Down (SSD), an initiative in Colorado aimed at combating mental health and gambling-related issues faced by active duty service members, veterans and their families.

Kindbridge is offering resources to Colorado service members and veterans with gambling disorder, which is 3.5 times more prevalent in service members and veterans compared to civilians. According to Kindbridge, SSD provides resources to a Colorado market that is home to more than 60,000 active duty and reserve military personnel.

Kindbridge is launching SSD with the help of grants from FanDuel and the Colorado Division of Gaming.

“Stigma is a silent enemy that leaves our service members and veterans isolated, harming their families, units, and mission readiness,” said Kindbridge ..

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FanDuel and ESPN Bet latest sportsbooks to add NFL injury refund measures

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Two more U.S. sportsbooks have hopped on the bandwagon and introduced measures designed to allow NFL bettors to protect their bets in the event that a player leaves the game with an early injury.

After DraftKings unveiled its Early Exit program a few weeks ago, which allows users to receive cash credits equal to the amount wagered if the bet in question is “significantly impacted” by a player leaving the game early due to injury, FanDuel and ESPN Bet have followed suit.

FanDuel announced on Sept. 2 a new Bet Protect program, wherein customers get bonus bets back on pre-game NFL player props if the bet-on player gets injured in the first quarter of a game. The program will pay out all straight wagers in bonus bets within 24 hours, while parlays will be re-priced with new odds. If the player in question was the only losing leg, the parlay or SGP will be paid out in bonus bets like a straight bet.

Then, on NFL kickoff day on Sept. 4, ESPN Bet launched an “injury insurance” policy that ..

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FanDuel recruits ex-NCPG chief Keith Whyte as RG strategist

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FanDuel has marked Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) with a major personnel hire, recruiting former National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) chief Keith Whyte as a responsible gambling strategist.

FanDuel announced on Wednesday that former NCPG Executive Director Whyte has joined the operator as its new responsible gaming strategic advisor. Whyte left the NCPG abruptly and unexpectedly in January after 26 years with the organization, and not much light has been shed on his departure in the months since.

Now, he will advise the U.S. market-leading sportsbook on shaping its RG strategy and programs moving forward, including identifying new opportunities for advocacy, advancing and extending partnerships and leading and developing various RG-focused events. He will also contribute to FanDuel’s ongoing responsible gaming initiatives, including consulting on and creating new content for the Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting program, which FanDuel launched last year in..

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BetMGM expands GameSense RG messaging in NFL stadia

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BetMGM and MGM Resorts International are spreading responsible gaming messaging at select NFL stadiums for the third consecutive year, including at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field for the first time.

The GameSense messaging from the operators will be visible on LED ribbons at Lincoln Financial Field, which will host the opening game of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday night between the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

New for this season, messages will be featured prominently on stadium scoreboards during pre-game activities and also within gameday magazines.

Alongside Lincoln Financial Field, other NFL stadiums that will be promoting GameSense messaging this season include Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos), Ford Field (Detroit Lions), GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans) and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals).

Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer at BetMGM, stated: “Placing GameSense in league stadiums gives us direct access to millions of fans each week. It’s a powerful platform to promote public awareness and amplify our company’s commitment to provide a safe and informed gambling experience.”

Responsible Gaming Education Month

MGM Resorts and BetMGM’s GameSense messaging is part of its partnership with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month, which takes place this month in the US.

First developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, the GameSense programme “focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly”.

Throughout September, customers will receive GameSense and the AGA’s Play Smart from the Start messaging via digital platforms, retail sportsbooks, Las Vegas marquees and the MGM Grand Live Dealer studio. BetMGM sportsbook will also send “take a time-out” and “budget before you bet” reminders to players with responsible gaming resources linked.

In addition, over 1,900 MGM Resorts employees have been trained through the GameSense Advisor programme, while BetMGM continues to provide lived-experience training to all its employees via its partnership with EPIC Global Solutions.

MGM Resorts is also announcing a $250,000 contribution to the International Center for Responsible Gaming, while both MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to support the AGA’s Have A Game Plan.Bet Responsibly. public service campaign.

Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts, said: “Investing in our team members through extensive training and scientific research sets higher operational standards and elevates the guest experience. It also supports the long-term sustainability of our business and the communities where we operate.”

iGaming Expert: Given the attendance expected at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFL’s kickoff game between the Eagles and the Cowboys on Thursday night, the 2025 GameSense campaign should receive plenty of exposure.

It is vital that during showpiece occasions, the safer gambling message is provided with a platform as the industry looks to support those who need it most ahead of the new American football season.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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