Playtech and Kindbridge are teaming up to undertake a pioneering gambling research endeavor in the United States. This research venture is the first of its kind in the US.
Playtech, a leading global gambling technology firm, and Kindbridge, the world’s initial virtual mental health facility for gamblers and gamers, announced a new research collaboration today. This partnership will develop an evidence-based model for gambling treatment through the newly established Kindbridge Institute.
The collaboration aims to utilize technological advancements to enhance comprehension and treatment of gambling and digital addiction-related issues. The objective is to improve treatment results in virtual environments. The research will concentrate on the mental well-being of gamblers, gamers, and individuals experiencing digital addiction, identifying areas for assistance and intervention.
The Kindbridge Institute has commissioned the Rutgers University Center for Gambling Studies in New Jersey (a top public research university in the US) to create an evidence-based telehealth model. This model will be employed to assess the efficacy of support and treatment for digital gambling-related harms.
This investigation will enable data to be utilized for peer-reviewed studies and furnish an unparalleled scale and extent of data for examining this demographic.
Kindbridge is working together with American casino operators, insurance providers, and social effect organizations to establish healthcare pathways via telehealth, eliminating obstacles for bettors and gamers to access specialized training resources that can assist them in proactively managing their mental well-being.
With the backing of these partners, the Kindbridge Research Institute will be able to analyze player data as well as data Kindbridge gathers from its clinical network to better comprehend the fundamental causes of potentially detrimental gambling and gaming behaviors.
This analysis will then be employed to define personalized, intelligent treatment methods intended to have the greatest influence on those seeking assistance. The time frame for the dissemination of these insights is anticipated to be 18 to 24 months.
Mor Weizer, Playtech’s chief executive, stated, “The collaborative research with Kindbridge and Rutgers University will play a crucial role in aiding the industry to design and deliver high-quality digital health and mental health support to assist those at risk of and affected by gambling-related harm.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge Clinical Network as they are leading the charge in the next generation of gambling treatment, services, and support in the United States.”
Kindbridge’s chief executive, Daniel Umfleet, stated that merging player data with their clinical network data will generate highly valuable insights. He mentioned that the sheer volume of data will enable them to gain a deeper comprehension of individuals grappling with gambling issues, as well as those in their immediate circles.
Dr. Leah Novotny, who heads the Rutgers University Center for Gambling Studies, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Kindbridge to develop a treatment approach for problem gambling and video game addiction. She highlighted that Kindbridge is the pioneering US organization dedicated to addressing these challenges, and they are delivering therapies that can be evaluated for their efficacy.
Playtech is also extending support to Kindbridge by contributing their digital learning expertise and resources from their Playtech Academy team. This collaboration will assist Kindbridge in establishing a system for training therapists and staff. Kindbridge therapists are undergoing extensive training, and Playtech is aiding them in digitizing their training materials.